Description

Shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize for Nature and Conservation Writing for Children 2022
Shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Children’s Travel Book of the Year 2022

Join the brilliant Dara McAnulty, winner of the Wainwright Prize for Diary of a Young Naturalist, as he takes you on a nature walk to share in the joy of connecting with the natural world on your multi sensory journey starting just beyond your own front door.

Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature is a beautiful gift book, illustrated in full colour by Barry Falls, and divided into five chapters: looking out of the window, venturing out into the garden, walking in the woods, investigating heathland and wandering on the river bank.

Dara pauses to tell you about each habitat and provides fantastic facts about the native birds, animals and plants you will find there – including wrens, blackbirds, butterflies, tadpoles, bluebells, bees, hen harriers, otters, dandelions, oak trees and many, many more.

Each chapter contains a discovery section where you will get a closer look at natural phenomena such as metamorphoses and migration, learn about categorization in the animal kingdom or become an expert on the collective nouns for birds.

Every chapter ends with an activity to do when you get home – you will be shown how to make a bird feeder, try pond dipping, make a journey stick and build a terrarium and more.

Dara closes the book with his own inspirational advice for young conservationists. This is the perfect guide for an aspiring naturalist.

Publisher Review

From the prize-winning young naturalist, this is a dreamy dive into the natural world to thrill wildlife fans of six-plus. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian * Dara speaks very directly to child readers, taking them on a personal journey, introducing them to facts and phenomena that fascinate him and encouraging exploration. His love of lore and language as well as his respect for nature shine through in the poetic text which is carefully integrated with the illustrations. -- Ann Lazim * Books for Keeps * Naturalist Dara McAnulty helps children explore local habitats, identifying animals and plants. It's a treasure trove of facts and projects such as making a bird feeder or terrarium. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Express * In this fact-packed guide, beautifully illustrated by Barry Falls, his distinctive and poetic voice leads us from the garden through to rivers, woods and uplands to discover birds, insects and plants. Each section has things to make and the message comes over loud and clear: take care of nature and connect with your inner wild child. Perfect for all the family." -- Sally Morris * Daily Mail * Wild Child is the new title from Dara McAnulty - winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize for Diary of a Young Naturalist. It's illustrated by Barry Falls, geared to anyone from the age of six-plus and full of carefully observed insights into the natural world -- Eleanor Flegg * The Irish Independent * Every page is beautiful but is packed with information too: anything from a brief history of species classification to the collective nouns for birds. There are even instructions on how to make a terrarium and bird feeder - perfect for all children who long to be wild. -- Natalie Bowen * The Independent * Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature is a beautiful mix of storytelling, poetry, science, craft and nature, all gloriously illustrated by Barry Falls. Dara McAnulty and Barry Falls have created a really exciting journey through nature that children will want to read again and again. The multi-faceted approach allows the reader to experience the wonders of nature in a range of ways. A must for any parent, and every classroom. -- Donna Burkert * Reading Zone *