Welcome to our latest collection of new wildlife book releases. In this round-up, we take a look at a selection of children’s nature books now on sale.
Blue Badger – Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Ben Sanders – Quarto Kids – Ages 4-6
Blue Badger features beautiful, emotive illustrations as we follow the befuddled, lovable character on his search for happiness, friends and love. He is feeling sad and confused. He asks the other animals one by one: ‘Am I white and black, or black and white?’ He speaks to several other animals, from zebra to panda, as he tries to find out who he is and discover why he suddenly has a blue bottom – perhaps the reader can help him? Along his journey, he learns that is doesn’t matter whether he is black or white, Â just as long as he is kind. Featuring wry wit, deadpan humour and a heart-warming ending, Blue Badger touches gently on themes of sadness and identity, encouraging children to speak out when feeling down.
Huw Lewis Jones is a writer, teacher, explorer and curator – one who loves wild nature. He creates books for children all about encouraging joy in nature and the world around them. He lives in a little house in Cornwall with wife Kari and daughter Nell, though often spends his summers at the North Pole.
Ben Sanders is an award-winning illustrator whose work can be seen on the pages of The Wall Street Journal, The Monocle and Australian Geographic. Ben lives in Australia and loves to play with visual humour and storytelling in his work.
Blue Badger is available to buy from a range of outlets including Amazon and Waterstones.
Mr Elephant: Ever Wondered Why Elephants Have Long Trunks and Wrinkly Skin? – Sarah Glover – Matador –
Ages 5-7
Have you ever wondered why elephants have long trunks and wrinkled skin? Join Mr Elephant on a journey through Africa to find out why. Sarah Glover’s tale is a labour of love, having been introduced to the work of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and rhinos in Kenya, when visiting the Nairobi Nursery Unit in 2015.
This delightful tale, beautifully illustrated by the author, encourages children to think as they discover the dangers elephants face in a sensitive manner, as well as learning key facts about these magnificent creatures along the way.
Mr Elephant also lets children know how you can help to look after this gargantuan species just by having a copy of the book as for every copy sold, 5% of the RRP goes to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Sarah Glover is a wildlife artist based in County Durham where she lives with her husband, their son and their cocker spaniel, Bonny. Sarah takes her inspiration for her artwork from the wildlife and nature she spots when walking Bonny. As an animal lover, Sarah has always had a soft spot for African wildlife, especially elephants, which are the lifelong inspiration for Mr Elephant.
Mr Elephant is available to buy from a range of outlets including Amazon and Waterstones.
Kaleidoscope of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life: Their Colours and Patterns Explained – Greer Stothers – Wide Eyed Editions – Ages 9-11
Explore the wonderful world of scales, tails, feathers and skin that existed long before our time, in this wonderfully illustrated first look at the kaleidoscopic world of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Did you think that dinosaurs were all brown, green and scaly? Think again! The Sinosauropteryx had a red and white ringed tail like a lemur, and the Caihong’s feathers reflected light to make beautiful iridescent colours.
Paleo-artist and author Greer Stothers takes a look at dinosaurs like never seen before, with cutting -edge theories on feathered dinosaurs and the colourful secrets of the fossil record. Discover what million-years-old remains can tell us about how extinct animals lived, and how ancient art can help give clues on what they looked like. A detailed index helps readers navigate the book whilst a glossary gives even more information on the words used to describe the prehistoric world. This is a fascinating read for young paleontologists and art-lovers alike.
Greer Stothers is an award-winning Canadian illustrator with a background in evolutionary biology. They are deeply interested in the interplay between science and art, and their risograph prints have been displayed in museums and galleries in Canada, the USA, Germany and Indonesia.
Kaleidoscope of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life is available to buy from a range of outlets including Amazon and Waterstones.
This is the Way in Dogtown – Ya-Ling Huang – Francis Lincoln Children’s Books – Ages 2-4
Young children can sing along to the words in this charming picture book, set to the popular rhyme ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’, to discover what the residents of Dogtown get up to during their day, receiving an introduction to first experiences as they go. See the dogs brushing their teeth, getting dressed, going to school, eating lunch, going swimming and much more before the day is done and it’s time for bed.
This is the Way in Dogtown is a great way to introduce the youngest readers to a love of words and actions, with fabulous illustrations offering plenty to spot and discuss.
Jade Huang studied Fine Art at Taichung University of Education in Taiwan. During her study at university, she found her true calling in storytelling and illustration. She completed her MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art in 2016. Her illustrations are mostly drawn by hand in watercolour, gouache and colour pencil, along with the application of a little humour. This Is the Way in Dogtown is the first picture book she has both written and illustrated.
This is the Way in Dogtown is available to buy from a range of outlets including Amazon and Waterstones.
Blue Badger
£6.99
Mr Elephant: Ever Wondered Why Elephants Have Long Trunks and Wrinkly Skin?
£6.99
Kaleidoscope of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
£11.89
This is the Way in Dogtown
£6.74
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