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Book on the Bird Table: Wild Footprints

The cover of Wild Footprints by Judy Wise

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Wild Footprints, published by Scholastic, a debut non-fiction picture book from author Judy Wise, which aims to teach young readers about the importance of the natural world through the curious and diverse footprints left by Earth’s varied wildlife. It captures young imaginations and provides the catalyst for … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Wildheart

Wildheart by Bec Manser

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Wildheart by Daventry-based debut children’s and YA author Bec Manser. Publishing on 4th June with Puffin, the book – aimed at readers 8+ – is a nature-inspired, inclusive, magical adventure featuring Wild Magic, Tree-Sprites, Hollow Spirits, unbreakable sisterly bonds and a cute wild boar with plenty of … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: I am BIG I am Small

The book I am Big I am Small

Our next Book on the Bird Table is another wonderful offering from author Vicky Woodgate, I am BIG I am Small, published by Scholastic. Here, she tells us how she came to create a comparison book aimed at early years readers: “Non-fiction for younger children is a great way to open the door to readers … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: The BIG Around-The-World Animal Adventure

The cover of The BIG Around-The-World Animal Adventure

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is The BIG Around-The-World Animal Adventure by author illustrator Vicky Woodgate, which was published this month by Hodder. Here, she shares how she came up with the idea for the book, which is a hop around the world, fun, fact-packed, search-and-find journey! “While searching for pictures of cats … Read more

New photobook showcases spectacular birdlife of South America

BotTA Graphic with white backgroud

Acclaimed bird photographer Owen Deutsch and Michael J. Parr, President of the American Bird Conservancy, have joined forces to reveal the incredible bird life of one of the world’s most breathtaking birding regions – the Tropical Andes in South America. Birds of the Tropical Andes, published on 8th July 2025 by Princeton University Press, celebrates the splendour … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Saving Sun Bears

Book on the Bird Table Saving Sun Bears

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is the wonderful Saving Sun Bears by Dr Sarah Pye, which follows the inspirational work of Malaysian ecologist Dr Wong Siew Te or ‘papa bear’ as he tries to save the sun bear from extinction. The sun bear has become know as the forgotten bear, being the least … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Home

Book on the Bird Table: Home

Waterstones Black Friday banner

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Home by Isabelle Simler, translated by Vineet Lal and published by Quarto.

Home is a beautiful book of reflective poems that look at all sorts of homes made and found in nature. From the leaf fortress of the weaver ant and the silk apartment of the Madagascan moon moth to the cactus cabin of the elf owl and the bunk bed in the branches of the Sumatran orangutan, young children can discover the fascinating ways in which over 25 of our planet’s creatures make their homes safe and secure.

Highlights include the European fan worm, which uses its home like a telescope, fanning out its long feathery lashes  that disappear inside at the slightest hint of danger, and the satin bowerbird, which creates an arched home decorated with vibrant blue items that have caught its eye.

not just a non-fiction book but a rhythmic exploration of what nature can teach us

Interior pages from Home

Each animal and its home is accompanied by poetic text making this not just a non-fiction book but a rhythmic exploration of what nature can teach us. The vivid colour of the illustrations and exquisite language mean that children and their parents alike can discover amazing facts about animals’ innovative building techniques and the importance of making a house a home.

 

About the author:

Isabelle Simler has written and illustrated over 20 books for children. Sweet Dreamers, My Wild Cat, Plume and The Blue Hour were all featured in the Society of Illustrators “The Original Art” annual exhibition. Plume was also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2017. Isabelle lives in France.

About the translator:

Vineet Lal is a literary translator of books from French to English, including A Perfect Spot and a Head Full of Birds. He studied French at Princeton University and the University of Edinburgh. Vineet lives in Scotland.

Home is aimed at children between 5-7 years old and can be bought from book stores including Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles.

Foyles Black Friday banner

Home

From the winner of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book comes a beautiful meditation on what makes a home. Each creature featured in this beautiful collection shows a unique way that they build their home, and poetic text accompanies each, making this both a narrative, non-fiction treasury and a poetic reflection on what nature can teach us. Discover how a beaver builds a safe dam for its family and how a tailor bird forages for grasses and animal hairs to use as threads, to sew a truly tailor-made nest. In this book, children and parents alike will discover in vivid colour and poetry, all the wild ways there are to build a home.

£13.99

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Book on the Bird Table: Can Jellyfish Live Forever?

Book on the Bird Table, Can Jellyfish Live Forever?

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Can Jellyfish Live Forever? by experts from the Natural History Museum in London. Together, they’ve based the book on the weirdest facts known to the museum, as well as questions that visitors are always desperate to have answered. Each page leads with a fascinating question – essentially … Read more

Children’s nature book May round-up!

The books in May's children's nature book round-up

Welcome to our latest collection of children’s nature book releases! Super Birds! – Annabel Marriott – The Book Guild Super Birds! is a fun, bright children’s nature book for very young children that aims to inspire them to explore wildlife and nature, featuring charming illustrations by Ruth Coggins. Have you ever wondered what the birds around us get … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Wilder Journeys

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Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Wilder Journeys: True Stories of Nature, Adventure and Connection, edited by Laurie King and Miriam Lancewood. Published by Watkins, the book taps into the growing need to reconnect with nature and become more at one with the land and planet we are all a part of. The … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: JUNO’S ARK + author Q&A with Jim Mellon!

Book on the Bird Table

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is JUNO’S ARK by British investor and philanthropist Jim Mellon, published this month by Fruitful Publications. Aimed at 7 to 9-year-olds, the book is inspired by Jim’s passion for animal welfare and follows the adventures of a big-hearted dog called Juno, evoking classics such as Black Beauty and The Sheep-pig. … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife

Book on the Bird Table RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is the third edition of the RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife by Peter Holden and Geoffrey Abbott, published by Bloomsbury. The guide is a comprehensive source of information on the plants and animals that live alongside us and this updated edition features new material on climate change, recycling and wild … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Outsiders

Book on the Bird Table Outsiders

The latest Book on the Bird Table is Outsiders: The Outdoors is Yours, the debut book from Nadeem Perera and Ollie Olanipekun of Flock Together – the UK’s first birdwatching collective for people of colour.

Book on the Bird Table: Remembering Bears

The cover of Book on the Bird Table Remembering Bears

The latest Book on the Bird Table is Remembering Bears, which is the seventh in the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series; each book aims to shine a spotlight on a species that is in need of protection and further understanding.

Book on the Bird Table: from Coast & Cove

from Coast and Cove on the bird table

The latest Book on the Bird Table is from Coast & Cove: An artist’s year in paint and pen by Anna Koska, published by Pavilion Books. Written as a series of journal entries through the seasons, Anna Koska guides us thoughtfully through the year at her new home on the Devon coast.

Book Review: Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks… + author Q&A!

A page from the book Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks by Alex Morss and Sean Taylor

REVIEW In Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks: and Other Incredible Creature Features, authors Alex Morss and Sean Taylor have created a fascinating collection of unusual creatures with amazing characteristics, celebrating the diversity of life on earth. From puzzling toes to weird ears, and all the other body parts in between, the book includes fantastic illustrations and … Read more

Book on the Bird Table: Being in Nature

The book Being in Nature, which encourages nature connection, sitting on the bird table

Our latest Book on the Bird Table is Being in Nature by James Farrell. Passionate about his subject matter, the author offers readers 20 mindful practices, all of which unleash the benefits of the great outdoors.

Book on the Bird Table: The Pet Loss Guide

The Pet Loss Guide by Millie Jacobs sits on the bird table

Little did I know when I received a copy of The Pet Loss Guide by Millie Jacobs, which features as this week’s Book on the Bird Table, that I would be writing a review following the loss of our beloved cat Sparky, who was hit and killed by a car two days ago on the … Read more

The Wonders of Nature proves to be the perfect follow-up

  Following on from the best-selling An Anthology of Intriguing Animals, author and wildlife journalist Ben Hoare brings us The Wonders of Nature, a beautifully illustrated compendium that, alongside a selection of amazing animals, features plants, rocks, minerals and microorganisms. The hardback book features wonderful designs, photography and imagery to draw children into a world of fascinating facts. … Read more