Nicola Davies - Author
Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale and King of the Sky . She is a Zoology graduate, an expert in whales and bats, and has worked for the BBC Natural History Unit. She lives in Powys
Read more about Nicola Davies here.
Please note there are two children's authors called Nicola Davies which our systems are unable to tell apart. The books Star in the Custard, Shampoo and Seawater, and Stories from Abergele Street are not written by this Nicola Davies. Apologies.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | The heart-warming tale of one boy and the dog that changes his life from a much loved and award-winning author.
July 2018 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2018 | A brilliant celebration and evocation of everything to do with the sea. The many, brief poems cover favourite holiday experiences including the excitement of being the first to see the sea, paddling, seagulls and building sandcastles; specific sea creatures such as sharks, limpets and the special fish which live on coral reefs; the drama of the seas in terms of shipwrecks and, more recently, terrible risk the sea is under from human waste. Both the poems and Emily Sutton’s illustrations to them will bring the very special qualities of the sea closer to everyone. Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for July 2018: A First Book of the Sea by Nicola Davies Junkyard Jack and the Horse That Talks by Adrian Edmondson All About Families by Felicity Brooks A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker Sleep by Kate Prendergast The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month June 2018 | Award-wining Nicola Davies has created a beautiful story which makes its powerful point brilliantly by focusing on the plight of a single child refugee. A little girl’s way of life - one that will be familiar to children around the world - is totally destroyed when the war comes. Having lost everything, alone and facing terrible danger, she travels across the world in search of a new home. But who will help her to find one? Nicola Davies never preaches, instead she allows her story and Rebecca Cobb’s equally sensitive and warm-hearted illustrations to carry the message with their own integrity and eloquence. The book is endorsed by Amnesty International. Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for June 2018: Mariella, Queen of the Skies by Eoin Colfer Opposites by Roald Dahl 1, 2, 3 by Roald Dahl The Day War Came by Nicola Davies The Hippo at the End of the Hall by Helen Cooper The Adventures of John Blake: Mystery of the Ghost Ship by Philip Pullman
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 | In a story full of hope against adversity, King of the Sky tells how flying a homing pigeon helps a young boy comes to terms with his life in a strange country far, far from home. Now living under grey skies in a country where he feels an outsider, a young boy misses the blue sky, warm sun and of ice cream of his home in Rome. But when he his racing pigeon returns to him safely from Rome the boy realises that home is where he is and he finds a new sense of belonging. ~ Julia Eccleshare
February 2018 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2018 | A stunning book that is also an invaluable introduction to how to look at the world around us. Nicola Davies invites readers to look at the flowers, the birds, the insects, the fishes and more in habitats of all kinds around the world. She shows the value of individual groups and also the importance of the how all aspects of nature are interconnected. Emily Sutton’s beautiful illustrations bring the natural world sharply into focus making it both delightful and accessible. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for February 2018 Kevin by Rob Biddulph My Name is Victoria by Lucy Worsley Lots: The Diversity of Life by Nicola Davies A Busy Day for Birds by Lucy Cousins Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram No More Kissing by Emma Chichester Clark
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 | May 2017 Picture Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month May 2017 | In a story full of hope against adversity, King of the Sky tells how flying a homing pigeon helps a young boy comes to terms with his life in a strange country far, far from home. Now living under grey skies in a country where he feels an outsider, a young boy misses the blue sky, warm sun and of ice cream of his home in Rome. But when he his racing pigeon returns to him safely from Rome the boy realises that home is where he is and he finds a new sense of belonging. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for May 2017 The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue King of the Sky by Nicoloa Davies A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis King Coo by Adam Stower The Tale of Angelino Brown by David Almond Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman The Big Bird Spot by Matt Sewell
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2017 | A stunning book that is also an invaluable introduction to how to look at the world around us. Nicola Davies invites readers to look at the flowers, the birds, the insects, the fishes and more in habitats of all kinds around the world. She shows the value of individual groups and also the importance of the how all aspects of nature are interconnected. Emily Sutton’s beautiful illustrations bring the natural world sharply into focus making it both delightful and accessible. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for April 2017 The Giant Jumperee by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury Grandapa Green by Lane Smith I'm Going to Eat This Ant by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros Lots: The Diversity of Life on Earth by Nicola Davies Mrs Mole, I'm Home! by Jarvis Silver by Walter de la Mare
In a lively, highly readable book Nicola Davies examines ways that man and animals interact, highlighting species whose intelligence and adaptability causes real problems for their human neighbours. Take the Kea for example: these super-smart birds cause no end of mischief in New Zealand, sometimes just for the fun of it; or macaque monkeys who damage crops, cables and peoples’ houses in India and seem easily able to outwit the humans trying to limit their activity. As well as showing them just how clever animals are, these fascinating stories will set children thinking about the effect mankind has on the natural world. The final chapter gives examples of humans and animals working together, which should start children thinking about better ways we can share the planet in the future. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award What a wonderful book to give to a child. It’s one which will inspire a real interest in nature and the creatures that share our planet, as well as an appreciation of art and poetry. Nicola Davies shares her delight in animals in specially written poems, each of which is illustrated by Petr Horacek across dazzling double pages. Grouped by themes such as colours and shapes, or animals in action, creatures big and small are vividly brought to life, from the whale shark, ‘like a piece of fallen starry sky’ to a barn owl, ‘quiet as the floating moon’. The images are breath-taking, full of movement and colour; the poems too are varied and memorable, sometimes precise, sometimes ethereal. It’s a book that recipients will treasure into adulthood. ~ Andrea Reece
Longlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal This is simply an outstanding book. Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton explain the life and purpose of microbes clearly and lucidly for very young children, through simple language and beautiful illustrations. Using child-friendly examples, such as the fact that a teaspoon of soil can have as many microbes as the number of people in the whole of India, and striking visual images, they make this important and complex area clear for even pre-school children. Microbes, the book concludes, are the invisible transformers of our world. The tiniest lives doing the biggest jobs. Tiny makes these tiny things as beautiful and fascinating to children as a blue whale. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal The Promise is a story with a strong green message - about the power we have to transform our world - and features breathtaking design and illustration. A perfect book to share with young children. It is also a story of a magical discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin's delicate illustrations capture a young girl's journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world. It is moving, touching, unforgettable. It received a BolognaRagazzi Award Special Mention in 2014 & was shortlisted for The Little Rebels Children's Book Award 2014.
Longlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal This exciting non-fiction picture book introduces young readers to the wondrous (and invisible) world of microbes.
Winner of the IBW Children's Picture Book Award 2014 A beautiful book which brings nature to life in words and pictures. Nicola Davies interweaves fact and fiction as she brings each season into focus. She celebrates new growth and the rich harvests of autumn. Stunning, richly textured illustrations encourage young readers to look closely at the world around them.
Shortlisted for The Little Rebels Children's Book Award 2014. This is a picture books of great beauty and hope about the power we have to transform our world. The Promise is the story of a magical discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin's delicate illustrations capture a young girl's journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world.
Out fishing with her father Manuela is excited when they come across a manatee. Killing a manatee requires great skill; if she and her father can bring one home there will be plenty for everyone to eat. But when she sees the orphaned baby manatee has been injured in the attack on its parent, Manuela just wants the baby to survive. Manuela promises that she will return the baby to the river one day. But can she keep her promise? Nicola Davies reflects the terrible dangers for manatees from human predators.
Nicola Davies’s non-fiction stories are renowned for their skilful combination of great drama and important messages about conservation. Zaki’s family have always kept a performing bear and made money from showing her off. Zaki has two bear cubs he can train to dance but now the government is trying to stamp out the practice which is cruel to the bears and reducing the number of sloth bears surviving in the wild. Zaki decides to return his bear cubs to the wild but it isn’t possible for the young bears to manage on their own in the wild. A touching story about the relationship between a boy and his bear cubs.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 All the information you could want for a young reader is beautifully on display in this attractive picture book. Lovely pictures show delightful ducks down by the river while the useful text explains why some ducks quack louder than others, what ducks eat and how you tell a male duck from a female duck.
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book of the Year 2014 - Best Story Michael, a young boy growing up on the tropical island of Rose Town, has been saving up for his own fishing boat for years. But when a terrible storm wrecks his home, Michael is forced to take a job working for a rich, mysterious newcomer named Spargo. Spargo asks Michael to search for one thing in the deep waters around Rose Town - whales...
Fact and fiction are cleverly interwoven in this thoughtful story which balances up the needs of people and animals to share space safely. Pedro looses most of his right arm when a lion savages him one night. He broods on his lion and hopes for the strength to kill it one day. But, as he heals, and encouraged by thoughtful advice from his father, Pedro learns that the most important thing it to keep both lions and humans safe - and able to live together.
An exciting story which is also based on the truth about how elephants behave and the difficulties of elephants and humans sharing land. Wilen loves the elephants who live near to his home but, elephants are very big and very dangerous, which means that everyone in his village is scared when they wander too close to the houses or crops. Wilen is determined to find a way of keeping the people safe – and the elephants happy! Nicola Davies brings a way of life deep in the forests of India vividly to life.
Winner of The English Association 2013 Prize (Non-Fiction 4-7) A beautiful book which brings nature to life in words and pictures. Nicola Davies interweaves fact and fiction as she brings each season into focus. She celebrates new growth and the rich harvests of autumn. Stunning, richly textured illustrations encourage young readers to look closely at the world around them.
This is a spirit-soaring tale of adventure, friendship and belonging that will appeal to all lovers of books by Michael Morpurgo and Roald Dahl.
Silver Street Farm is facing big problems in the long hot summer. Animals are very thirsty and the water bill is very large…What can the children do to make sure the animals have enough to drink and keep cool? Their solution is an exciting one! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, Escape from Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at Silver Street Farm.
Setting up Silver Street Farm is one thing, keeping all the animals under control all of the time is another! When Kenny the Ram decides that outside the fence is nicer than inside it there seems to be no way of stopping him! The farm children have their hands full as they struggle to keep their animals in one place! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, All Aboard at Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at silver Street Farm.
There’s loads of new life on Silver Street Farm as the pig, the goats and the sheep are all pregnant! Can the children manage the pressure! The results are exciting and the all the new babies are perfectly sweet – even if they are a bit of a handful! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, All Aboard at Silver Street Farm and Escape from Silver Street.
Humorously told and full of facts about animals, the ups and downs of the new city farm make a great story. Three children and an unusual selection of animals for a farm – including poodle puppies who have some very unusual characteristics and some ducklings – are enough to start. Helped by local press and the neighbours Silver Street Farm comes vividly to life.This is the first in a charming series of fun-filled animal adventures on Silver Street Farm. Other titles in the series include All Aboard at Silver Street Farm , Escape from Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at silver Street Farm.
This is a book about climate change like no other - a collaboration between the inventor of Gaia Theory and an award-winning non-fiction writer for children - that explains the science and answers the commonly-asked questions about global warming. The style is simple, the explanations utterly brilliant, illuminating the hard facts as well as the potential solutions from scientists all over the world. This book is a call to arms, Kids today are the future, so find out how to live differently, change minds and have fun doing it.
Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2006. Set in a far off future, Home is a powerful science fiction story which asks readers to take a fresh look at Earth and to consider what belonging somewhere means and why it matters. Sacks’ safe, secure life is turned upside down when her Station is attacked and the only person she has ever known is killed. She has to set off on a journey into the unknown – to earth where Humans don’t belong. There’s no-one to help her and every breath might be toxic and life-threatening. Sack’s story of survival in this richly created, dysptopian futuristic landscape is gripping. (10+)
Some parents may be appalled that a title such as this has been shortlisted for a prestigious award but the award in question is the Blue Peter award, which, not surprisingly is chosen by children. Talk about taking a subject head on! Orang-utans have the smelliest, Bumble be bats the smallest and Mayflies just don’t! This fantastic little book will get even the most reluctant reader enjoying the delights of reading as it lifts the lid on the secret world of faeces and in so doing gives the reader an incredibly enlightening journey involving Human and animal biology. I can guarantee it will be one of the most read (or requested) books on your home book shelf!
Winner of The English Association 2013 Prize (Non-Fiction 4-7) A beautiful book which brings nature to life in words and pictures. Nicola Davies interweaves fact and fiction as she brings each season into focus. She celebrates new growth and the rich harvests of autumn. Stunning, richly textured illustrations encourage young readers to look closely at the world around them.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | The heart-warming tale of one boy and the dog that changes his life from a much loved and award-winning author.
Written by award-winning writer Nicola Davies, with artwork by bestselling illustrator Seb Braun. In the cold and icy white of her homeland, Akiak embarks on a hunting trip - and as day turns to night, she findsherself on an unexpected adventure with danger, discovery and, most of all, magic. A story of bravery, determination and survival against the odds, Brave and the Fox will warm your heart with every read. Also includes: special environmental information in the back of the book.
July 2018 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2018 | A brilliant celebration and evocation of everything to do with the sea. The many, brief poems cover favourite holiday experiences including the excitement of being the first to see the sea, paddling, seagulls and building sandcastles; specific sea creatures such as sharks, limpets and the special fish which live on coral reefs; the drama of the seas in terms of shipwrecks and, more recently, terrible risk the sea is under from human waste. Both the poems and Emily Sutton’s illustrations to them will bring the very special qualities of the sea closer to everyone. Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for July 2018: A First Book of the Sea by Nicola Davies Junkyard Jack and the Horse That Talks by Adrian Edmondson All About Families by Felicity Brooks A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker Sleep by Kate Prendergast The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month June 2018 | Award-wining Nicola Davies has created a beautiful story which makes its powerful point brilliantly by focusing on the plight of a single child refugee. A little girl’s way of life - one that will be familiar to children around the world - is totally destroyed when the war comes. Having lost everything, alone and facing terrible danger, she travels across the world in search of a new home. But who will help her to find one? Nicola Davies never preaches, instead she allows her story and Rebecca Cobb’s equally sensitive and warm-hearted illustrations to carry the message with their own integrity and eloquence. The book is endorsed by Amnesty International. Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for June 2018: Mariella, Queen of the Skies by Eoin Colfer Opposites by Roald Dahl 1, 2, 3 by Roald Dahl The Day War Came by Nicola Davies The Hippo at the End of the Hall by Helen Cooper The Adventures of John Blake: Mystery of the Ghost Ship by Philip Pullman
A funny, touching and original mystery-adventure about a young girl living on a tropical island - the first in a new series. From multi award-winning author Nicola Davies comes a new adventure series, starring a young girl living on a tropical island in a sea full of islands. Washed up on Turtle Island as a toddler, Ariki has always felt different from the other children. But there's somewhere she belongs heart and soul: the sea, where she plays with dolphins, sharks, whales and turtles. One day Ariki catches sight of a strange creature in the water, bigger than any she's seen before - soon after, an enormous shark tooth is found on the sand. When a group of giant sharks start circling the shore, the island's fishermen are too afraid to go out to sea. Without fish the people will starve... Can Ariki save the day? The first in an exciting new series, this book is strikingly original but has the feel of a classic: Ariki's world is a timeless paradise, and children are sure to fall under the spell of this cheeky, charming little girl.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 | May 2017 Picture Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month May 2017 | In a story full of hope against adversity, King of the Sky tells how flying a homing pigeon helps a young boy comes to terms with his life in a strange country far, far from home. Now living under grey skies in a country where he feels an outsider, a young boy misses the blue sky, warm sun and of ice cream of his home in Rome. But when he his racing pigeon returns to him safely from Rome the boy realises that home is where he is and he finds a new sense of belonging. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for May 2017 The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue King of the Sky by Nicoloa Davies A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis King Coo by Adam Stower The Tale of Angelino Brown by David Almond Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman The Big Bird Spot by Matt Sewell
February 2018 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2018 | A stunning book that is also an invaluable introduction to how to look at the world around us. Nicola Davies invites readers to look at the flowers, the birds, the insects, the fishes and more in habitats of all kinds around the world. She shows the value of individual groups and also the importance of the how all aspects of nature are interconnected. Emily Sutton’s beautiful illustrations bring the natural world sharply into focus making it both delightful and accessible. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for February 2018 Kevin by Rob Biddulph My Name is Victoria by Lucy Worsley Lots: The Diversity of Life by Nicola Davies A Busy Day for Birds by Lucy Cousins Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram No More Kissing by Emma Chichester Clark
Our planet is full of life! Did you know there are 400,000 species of beetle - but only eight species of bear? This stunning book explores the extraordinary diversity of the natural world and profiles some of its most surprising creatures. A glorious celebration of diversity within the Animal Kingdom by non-fiction specialist Nicola Davies, illustrated by rising star Lorna Scobie. There is something to delight on every page with fascinating facts about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. This exquisite book will encourage children to treasure the world's biodiversity and help to stop it slipping away.
Make science accessible with this essential series that will capture children's imagination while laying the foundation for future learning. With clear, simple language and a compelling design, Discover Science gives young readers the answers to fundamental questions about animal homes, birds, light and sound, materials and more.
Follow baby Dolphin on his great adventure in the big blue ocean with this perfect first reference book, teeming with new discoveries. The moment Dolphin Baby pops into the blue, he swims up, up, up ... and takes his very first breath. From then on, the baby calf swims close to his mother's side, discovering all there is to know about life under the sea. Dolphin has lots to learn including making new friends, catching his first fish, whistling ... and saying his own name in special dolphin-sound!
From spring right through to winter ... there they are! Down on the river! Quack quuuack, Quack-quaack-quack... What do you know about ducks? I bet you know that they quack ... a lot! Well, discover much more in this book that's all about, well, just ducks! Learn all about which is a boy duck and which is a girl, why some quack louder and others more softly. Find out what they eat when it is cold outside and where they perch their bottoms to sleep!
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2017 | A stunning book that is also an invaluable introduction to how to look at the world around us. Nicola Davies invites readers to look at the flowers, the birds, the insects, the fishes and more in habitats of all kinds around the world. She shows the value of individual groups and also the importance of the how all aspects of nature are interconnected. Emily Sutton’s beautiful illustrations bring the natural world sharply into focus making it both delightful and accessible. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for April 2017 The Giant Jumperee by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury Grandapa Green by Lane Smith I'm Going to Eat This Ant by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros Lots: The Diversity of Life on Earth by Nicola Davies Mrs Mole, I'm Home! by Jarvis Silver by Walter de la Mare
In a lively, highly readable book Nicola Davies examines ways that man and animals interact, highlighting species whose intelligence and adaptability causes real problems for their human neighbours. Take the Kea for example: these super-smart birds cause no end of mischief in New Zealand, sometimes just for the fun of it; or macaque monkeys who damage crops, cables and peoples’ houses in India and seem easily able to outwit the humans trying to limit their activity. As well as showing them just how clever animals are, these fascinating stories will set children thinking about the effect mankind has on the natural world. The final chapter gives examples of humans and animals working together, which should start children thinking about better ways we can share the planet in the future. ~ Andrea Reece
Discover the delights of nature with zoologist, poet and top children's book author, Nicola Davies.Follow her young adventurer as she treks through the jungle, dives deep down into the sea and climbs high up into the trees.A The Word BirdA features birds of all shapes, sizes and colours. Fully illustrated in colour by exciting new illustrator Abbie Cameron.Full educational notes on all of the animals featured in Animal Surprises are available to download from the Graffeg website."e;Nicola Davies knows just how to make scientific concepts interesting and accessible, even to the youngest children. The Word BirdA shows the huge variety within one big category - birds. All this creates a space in children's minds ready for more advanced teaching and learning about the natural world later on. The sharing adult will be able to help children link what they see in the books with their own outdoor experiences. I'm sure these books will be favourites to look at again and."e; Books for Keeps
Back then, humans and animals were fellow beings under the sky. Perhaps that's why it seemed possible for humans to change into animals.A story of shapeshifting between the human and animal worlds. Ostra is tempted into marriage with Wolvas the huntsman so that she can escape a harsh life but the birds and animals that befriend her warn her against him. Beautifully illustrated throughout.One in a series of tales that explore the deeper, darker side of our connection with the natural world. Be ready to feel a little bit of magic, and perhaps a few shivers down the spine.
The smallest of three brothers, Keenan Mowat had a priceless talent: he loved the sea and the sea loved him right back. In this supernatural tale, Keenan Mowat takes on the sea. Beautifully illustrated throughout.One in a series of tales that explore the deeper, darker side of our connection with the natural world. Be ready to feel a little bit of magic, and perhaps a few shivers down the spine.
PerfectA is a story of anticipation, disappointment, acceptance and, ultimately, love. Written by award-winning children's author Nicola Davies, it tells the story of a young boy learningA to accept his baby sister as beingA perfect in every way in spite of her disability. Suffused with natural imagery,A PerfectA is an ideal wayA toA open up the subject of disability with children, as well as being a great story in its own right. Beautifully illustrated by Cathy Fisher,A PerfectA is a truly remarkable book guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat.Cathy Fisher was nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 for her work on Perfect."e;Stories as deeply felt, and as exquisitely crafted asA PerfectA are the food that nourish the soul"e; -A Nikki Gamble, education consultant"e;It made me breathe a sigh of relief to remember that words and pictures can help widen and explain the world for children. It intrigues, involves and soothes its reader - all at the same time."e; -Laura Carlin, artist and illustrator"e;This is an extraordinarily beautiful and unusual book that has an appeal far wider than its obvious subject matter.A young boy is entranced by the fledgling swifts that learn to fly from their nests in the attic. When his new baby sister arrives home, he looks forward to playing with her - imagining them both racing and chasing like the birds.But it's soon clear that she has problems (unspecified) and he runs away from her imperfections, sad and disappointed.Alone in his garden, he finds an injured baby swift and helps it fly again, and in doing so realises that maybe all his sister needs is his love and attention to be perfect in her own way. Written with gentle sensitivity and stunningly illustrated, it's a very special book."e; -A Sally Morris,A The Daily Mail"e;A fledgling swift helps a child cope with disappointment when a baby sister is different than expected. An emotionally vivid, hopeful illustration of unpredictability, disappointment, and acceptance-recommended for children and parents alike."e;A Kirkus Starred Review"e;PerfectA recognises the capacity of young readers to handle and enjoy ambiguity in a book. It offers many opportunities to think about the meaning of every phrase, with several different interpretations. Cathy Fisher's pictures can also be interpreted in different ways as they too often depict far more than the literal story. This is a beautifully crafted, complex book which can certainly be appreciated by young children and older readers. Everyone will take something different on each reading; there is plenty here for us all to discover."e;A The School Librarian journal,A vol. 64 no. 3, School Library Association
Discover the delights of nature with zoologist, poet and top children's book author, Nicola Davies.Follow her young adventurer as she treks through the jungle, dives deep down into the sea and climbs high up into the trees.A Into the BlueA features delightful characters from the deep blue sea. Fully illustrated in colour by exciting new illustrator Abbie Cameron. Full educational notes on all of the animals featured in Animal Surprises are available to download from the Graffeg website."e;Nicola Davies knows just how to make scientific concepts interesting and accessible, even to the youngest children. For example the notion of the food chain is introduced inA Into the BlueA when we see 'silvery sand eels that sparkle and glimmer, And puffins collecting them up for their dinner!'All this creates a space in children's minds ready for more advanced teaching and learning about the natural world later on. The sharing adult will be able to help children link what they see in the books with their own outdoor experiences. I'm sure these books will be favourites to look at again and."e; Books for Keeps
Discover the delights of nature with zoologist, poet and top children's book author, Nicola Davies. Follow her young adventurer as she treks through the jungle, dives deep down into the sea and climbs high up into the trees. Animal Surprises features animals big, small, wide and tall. Full educational notes on all of the animals featured in Animal Surprises are available to download from the Graffeg website."e;Nicola Davies knows just how to make scientific concepts interesting and accessible, even to the youngest children. Animal SurprisesA reveals the different sizes and shapes of animals and the different ways in which they move. All this creates a space in children's minds ready for more advanced teaching and learning about the natural world later on. The sharing adult will be able to help children link what they see in the books with their own outdoor experiences. I'm sure these books will be favourites to look at again and."e; Books for Keeps
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award What a wonderful book to give to a child. It’s one which will inspire a real interest in nature and the creatures that share our planet, as well as an appreciation of art and poetry. Nicola Davies shares her delight in animals in specially written poems, each of which is illustrated by Petr Horacek across dazzling double pages. Grouped by themes such as colours and shapes, or animals in action, creatures big and small are vividly brought to life, from the whale shark, ‘like a piece of fallen starry sky’ to a barn owl, ‘quiet as the floating moon’. The images are breath-taking, full of movement and colour; the poems too are varied and memorable, sometimes precise, sometimes ethereal. It’s a book that recipients will treasure into adulthood. ~ Andrea Reece
A bold, bright and fascinating Nature Storybook about one of the world's most hated creatures - the snake! A bold, bright and fascinating Nature Storybook by award-winning writer and zoologist Nicola Davies, about one of the world's most hated creatures - the snake! Perhaps it's the way they slither, or maybe it's their slimy, scaly skin ... whatever the reason, many of us shiver at the thought of a snake - and so does the little girl in this book. But the rest of her family loves them and as they tell her more about snakes (did you know they have no eyelids, smell with their tongues and can swim?) she has a change of heart, and by the end of the book she loves them too. Luciano Lozano's stylish, colourful and informative illustrations perfectly match the warmth and humour of the text.
Exciting new edition of one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series - the best biology series ever! An exciting new edition of one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series - the best biology series ever! Why are some animals big, some wide, some small and others long and thin? This informative natural history book, wittily illustrated by Neal Layton, explains all about how animals fit in to their environment and why, big, wide, small, long or thin, they are all just the right size.
Exciting new edition of Extreme Animals, from zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series - the best biology series ever! An exciting new edition of Extreme Animals, one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series. Everywhere on Earth there is life. From polar wastes to bubbling volcanoes, animals have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill a human quicker than you can say coffin ! Discover how they do it in this amazing natural history book, with witty cartoon-style illustrations by Neal Layton, and find out who really is the toughest animal of all.
Get to know these rare and beautiful birds in this warmly illustrated non-fiction picture book. The little girl in this book has never seen a barn owl, but one day her grandpa puts a nest-box high in the old oak tree. They wait and they wait until one spring night, just as the sky goes pink, a pale face looks out of it, then takes off towards them...
Exciting new edition of one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series - the best biology series ever! An exciting new edition of one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies' fascinating Animal Science series - the best biology series ever! Every animal has a habitat where it can find food and shelter and have its babies. But there is one group of creatures whose habitats are not forests, seas or deserts. Instead they live on or in the bodies of other animals - in skin, hair, fur, feathers, blood, guts, livers, hearts and lungs. They are parasites. Uncover the secrets of their amazing life-cycles and dare yourself not to scratch or groan as you read ... then give in; it's impossible! Short written sections with creepy-crawly diagrams and comic strips by Neal Layton make this information book engaging and accessible for young minds.
An illustrated mountain adventure with Caucasian leopards, based on a real conservation project, from award-winning author Nicola Davies. The sixth title in Nicola Davies' Heroes of the Wild series is a mountain adventure based on a real conservation project to protect Caucasian leopards. Malik loves exploring the mountains near his village in Armenia, and he's never forgotten the leopard he once saw as a very young boy. But the night he hears a shot from a poacher's gun ring out across the mountain he knows his leopard is in grave danger. As Malik strives to find out who would want to kill such a beautiful creature, he uncovers a villainous plot that will mean not only the death of his rare and beloved leopard, but will harm every other living thing in the mountains too.
Venture into the night with bats in this fun, informative, award-winning picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. Did you know that bats aren't birds, but mammals? That they sleep upside down? That they shout as they fly, using their voice to find their way? Curious young minds will love learning about the life cycles of bats in this picture book which combines story with information.
A bold, bright and fascinating Nature Storybook about one of the world's most hated creatures - the snake! A bold, bright and fascinating Nature Storybook, by award-winning writer and zoologist Nicola Davies, about one of the world's most hated creatures - the snake! Perhaps it's the way they slither, or maybe it's their slimy, scaly skin ... whatever the reason, many of us shiver at the thought of a snake - and so does the little girl in this book. But the rest of her family loves them and as they tell her more about snakes (did you know they have no eyelids, smell with their tongues and can swim?) she has a change of heart, and by the end of the book she loves them too. Luciano Lozano's stylish, colourful and informative illustrations perfectly match the warmth and humour of the text.
Follow a tiny turtle's life cycle with this fun, informative picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. Follow a tiny turtle's life cycle with this fun, informative picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. Watch and wonder as one tiny sea turtle grows and grows, before she heads back to the beach to become a mother herself. Curious young minds will love learning about the turtle life cycle in this picture book which combines story with information.
An informative, gorgeously illustrated study of the majestic polar bear. An informative, gorgeously illustrated study of the majestic polar bear. Huge, magnificent, alone, a white bear moves through the frozen Arctic. Powerful hunter, tender mother and gentle playmate - she shares this land of ice and snow with the Inuit people, who watch and learn from her. Come on an unforgettable journey into the world of the polar bear... Containing accurate information suitable for classroom projects and activities, this emotive, atmospheric picture book brings the icy grandeur of the Arctic to life.
Longlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal This is simply an outstanding book. Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton explain the life and purpose of microbes clearly and lucidly for very young children, through simple language and beautiful illustrations. Using child-friendly examples, such as the fact that a teaspoon of soil can have as many microbes as the number of people in the whole of India, and striking visual images, they make this important and complex area clear for even pre-school children. Microbes, the book concludes, are the invisible transformers of our world. The tiniest lives doing the biggest jobs. Tiny makes these tiny things as beautiful and fascinating to children as a blue whale. ~ Andrea Reece
Find out about the largest mammal on the planet in this fun, informative, award-winning picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. Find out about the largest mammal on the planet in this fun, informative, award-winning picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. The blue whale is the biggest animal that has ever lived on Earth. Curious young minds will love reading this sensuous exploration of what a blue whale feels, sounds and smells like, and learning facts about a whale's size, life-span, diet, babies and more.
Find out what sharks are really like in this fun, informative picture book, part of the Nature Storybooks series. The last word you want to hear when you're swimming in the warm blue sea is Shark! But most real sharks are not what you might expect. Some are no bigger than a chocolate bar, some have built-in fairy lights and most wouldn't go near a human, even if you were wearing a sign saying dinner ! So if you think all sharks are giant, man-eating killers, you're in for a big surprise.
An illustrated arctic adventure with bowhead whales, based on a real conservation project, from award-winning author Nicola Davies. The fifth title in Nicola Davies' Heroes of the Wild series is an arctic adventure based on a real conservation project to protect bowhead whales. Young and troubled Suki is sent to stay with relatives in Whale Bay after Suki's older brother Levi tries to commit suicide. Expecting to be bored and miserable, Suki is surprised by how much she thrives in the natural world: ice fishing, dog-sledding and even witnessing a whale hunt. But Levi's life remains in danger and unless Suki can find a reason for him to live she will never be able to help him. Could the bowhead whales of Whale Bay hold the answer? With beautiful illustrations by Annabel Wright, and information about the conservation project the story is based on, this chapter book for young readers will delight all those who love wildlife and care about conservation.
Meet the animal kingdom's most competent killers in this fascinating natural history book. Stabbing and strangling, poisoning and drowning, electrocuting, exploding, dive-bombing and even death by glueing! Throughout the animal kingdom, creatures great and small have evolved to become masters of murder: from dive-bombing peregrine falcons to exploding carpenter ants, from electric eels to spitting cobras. The ingenious and often hilarious means of survival that both predators and prey employ are entertainingly explored in this celebration of all things deadly. With fantastically funny illustrations by Neal Layton and highly original explanations and advice on how we can all peaceably share our world, this book cannot fail to enlighten and engross. This is one of six books in the Animal Science series - the best biology series ever!
An exciting new edition of a brilliantly funny book about how and why animals communicate. From the team behind Poo, Extreme Animals, What's Eating You? and Just the Right Size comes another funny and informative book on animal biology, this time looking at how and why animals communicate - for the purposes of mating, gathering food, warning of danger, and many many more. Biologist and children's writer Nicola Davies takes the reader all over the world and across a wide variety of enthralling species to discover the mysteries behind animal communciation, accompanied by Neal Layton's funny and colourful drawings - solid biology told with great wit and style.
Some parents may be appalled that a title such as this has been shortlisted for a prestigious award but the award in question is the Blue Peter award, which, not surprisingly is chosen by children. Talk about taking a subject head on! Orang-utans have the smelliest, Bumble be bats the smallest and Mayflies just don’t! This fantastic little book will get even the most reluctant reader enjoying the delights of reading as it lifts the lid on the secret world of faeces and in so doing gives the reader an incredibly enlightening journey involving Human and animal biology. I can guarantee it will be one of the most read (or requested) books on your home book shelf!
Shortlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal The Promise is a story with a strong green message - about the power we have to transform our world - and features breathtaking design and illustration. A perfect book to share with young children. It is also a story of a magical discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin's delicate illustrations capture a young girl's journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world. It is moving, touching, unforgettable. It received a BolognaRagazzi Award Special Mention in 2014 & was shortlisted for The Little Rebels Children's Book Award 2014.
Winner of the IBW Children's Picture Book Award 2014 A beautiful book which brings nature to life in words and pictures. Nicola Davies interweaves fact and fiction as she brings each season into focus. She celebrates new growth and the rich harvests of autumn. Stunning, richly textured illustrations encourage young readers to look closely at the world around them.
Longlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal This exciting non-fiction picture book introduces young readers to the wondrous (and invisible) world of microbes.
Shortlisted for The Little Rebels Children's Book Award 2014. This is a picture books of great beauty and hope about the power we have to transform our world. The Promise is the story of a magical discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin's delicate illustrations capture a young girl's journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world.
Out fishing with her father Manuela is excited when they come across a manatee. Killing a manatee requires great skill; if she and her father can bring one home there will be plenty for everyone to eat. But when she sees the orphaned baby manatee has been injured in the attack on its parent, Manuela just wants the baby to survive. Manuela promises that she will return the baby to the river one day. But can she keep her promise? Nicola Davies reflects the terrible dangers for manatees from human predators.
Nicola Davies’s non-fiction stories are renowned for their skilful combination of great drama and important messages about conservation. Zaki’s family have always kept a performing bear and made money from showing her off. Zaki has two bear cubs he can train to dance but now the government is trying to stamp out the practice which is cruel to the bears and reducing the number of sloth bears surviving in the wild. Zaki decides to return his bear cubs to the wild but it isn’t possible for the young bears to manage on their own in the wild. A touching story about the relationship between a boy and his bear cubs.
Readers' imaginations will be fired on every page with this wonderful single-volume animal encyclopedia. The book is arranged into five chapters that explore the huge variety in the animal kingdom, how they get around, how they eat, animal senses and reproduction. A range of informative and interactive features perfectly enhance and consolidate each reference section.
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book of the Year 2014 - Best Story Michael, a young boy growing up on the tropical island of Rose Town, has been saving up for his own fishing boat for years. But when a terrible storm wrecks his home, Michael is forced to take a job working for a rich, mysterious newcomer named Spargo. Spargo asks Michael to search for one thing in the deep waters around Rose Town - whales...
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 All the information you could want for a young reader is beautifully on display in this attractive picture book. Lovely pictures show delightful ducks down by the river while the useful text explains why some ducks quack louder than others, what ducks eat and how you tell a male duck from a female duck.
An exciting story which is also based on the truth about how elephants behave and the difficulties of elephants and humans sharing land. Wilen loves the elephants who live near to his home but, elephants are very big and very dangerous, which means that everyone in his village is scared when they wander too close to the houses or crops. Wilen is determined to find a way of keeping the people safe – and the elephants happy! Nicola Davies brings a way of life deep in the forests of India vividly to life.
Fact and fiction are cleverly interwoven in this thoughtful story which balances up the needs of people and animals to share space safely. Pedro looses most of his right arm when a lion savages him one night. He broods on his lion and hopes for the strength to kill it one day. But, as he heals, and encouraged by thoughtful advice from his father, Pedro learns that the most important thing it to keep both lions and humans safe - and able to live together.
A brilliantly funny look at how and why animals communicate. From the team behind Poo, Extreme Animals, What's Eating You? and Just the Right Size comes another funny and informative book on animal biology, this time looking at how and why animals communicate - for the purposes of mating, gathering food, warning of danger, and many many more. Biologist and children's writer Nicola Davies takes the reader all over the world and across a wide variety of enthralling species to discover the mysteries behind animal communciation, accompanied by Neal Layton's funny and colourful drawings - solid biology told with great wit and style.
Some farms are up in the hills ... or down long, winding lanes ... but Silver Street Farm is different - it's right in the middle of a town! It's winter and the residents of Lonchester are struggling against the Big Freeze. The ice on the canal is half a metre thick and there are snowdrifts two metres high! Meera, Karl and Gemma are delighted; school is closed which means they can be at Silver Street Farm all day. But there's no time to play - the animals need a lot of looking after in the cold. As the weather gets worse many people in Lonchester find themselves stuck without food. But a chance encounter with Boris, a sled dog belonging to a stranded Russian ballet company, gives Meera a brilliant idea. With the help of the dancers, Boris and some friendly police dogs loaned by Sergeant Short, the Silver Street kids set up Lonchester's first dog-sled delivery service and come to the rescue of all those in trouble!
Lift the flaps to find out who belongs where in this colourful, stylish biology book about animal habitats. Who Lives Here? is one of four simple novelty titles in the Uncover and Discover series that explores aspects of animal life for very young children. Who Lives Here? looks at where animals live in an enjoyable and friendly way with strong text from writer and biologist Nicola Davies accompanied by stunning artwork and simple lift-the-flap spreads. A fresh, stylish alternative to other books in the genre. A spread at the back encourages children to revisit what they have learned throughout the book.
Meet the animal kingdom's most competent killers! Stabbing and strangling, poisoning and drowning, electrocuting, exploding, dive-bombing and even death by glueing! Throughout the animal kingdom, creatures great and small have evolved to become masters of murder: from dive-bombing peregrine falcons to exploding carpenter ants, from electric eels to spitting cobras. The ingenious and often hilarious means of survival that both predators and prey employ are entertainingly explored in this celebration of all things deadly. With fantastically funny illustrations by Neal Layton and highly original explanations and advice on how we can all peaceably share our world, this book cannot fail to enlighten and engross.
Some farms are up in the hills ... or down long, winding lanes ... but Silver Street Farm is different - it's right in the middle of a town! After a baby-filled spring, Silver Street Farm is bursting at the seams! The lambs refuse to stay in their pen, the pigs are restless and the chickens have set up home in the office. There's not enough space for all the new animals, but Meera, Karl and Gemma can't bear to say goodbye to even a single guinea-pig. If only there was some way for them to buy the deserted scrapyard next door from the elusive Mike Steely... When a chance encounter with famous director, Franco Lorenzo, leads to the children and animals getting involved in a film, it is the perfect opportunity to raise some much needed money and solve their overcrowding problem. It's also the moment when little Squirt's dreams of being an actor come true - and who should turn out to be Franco Lorenzo's half brother? Mike Steely!
Chipo and his little sister Gentle live on Papa Fudu's dumpsite in Rubbish Town, searching for valuable things amongst the rubbish to try to stay alive. Life isn't easy - luckily, Chipo has spirit, courage and lots of imagination! And now, he has a plan... But when Chipo and Gentle are caught with something precious that Papa Fudu wants for himself, they have to think quick, move fast. Suddenly they're on the run... Along with their friend Dede and their loyal dog, Mouse, Chipo and Gentle set off on a dangerous and exciting journey to find a safe place to call home - meeting a cast of extraordinary characters along the way.
Lift the flaps and find out which animals are alike in this fun-filled, stylish biology book. Who's Like Me? is one of the four simple novelty titles in the Animal Surprises series that explores aspects of animal life for very young children. Who's Like Me? looks at animal classification in an enjoyable and friendly way with strong text from writer and biologist Nicola Davies accompanied by stunning artwork and simple lift-the-flap spreads. A fresh, stylish alternative to other books in the genre. Spreads at the back encourage children to revisit what they have learned throughout the book.
Lift the flaps and find out how animals grow up in this fun-filled, stylish biology book. What Will I Be? is one of four simple novelty titles in the Animal Surprises series that explores aspects of animal life for very young children. What Will I Be? looks at animal growth, from egg to baby to fully grown, in an enjoyable and friendly way with strong text from writer and biologist Nicola Davies accompanied by stunning artwork and simple lift-the-flap spreads. A fresh, stylish alternative to other books in the genre. Spreads at the back encourage children to revisit what they have learned throughout the book.
From spring right through to winter ... there they are! Down on the river! Quack quuuack, Quack-quaack-quack... What do you know about ducks? I bet you know that they quack ... a lot! Well, discover much more in this book that's all about, well, just ducks! Learn all about which is a boy duck and which is a girl, why some quack louder and others softer. Find out what they eat when it is cold outside and where they perch their bottoms to sleep!
This is a spirit-soaring tale of adventure, friendship and belonging that will appeal to all lovers of books by Michael Morpurgo and Roald Dahl.
Monsters of the Deep is a tour of the most spectacular creatures in the oceans: the biggest, the fiercest and the strangest. It takes the reader's breath away with stunning visuals of truly astonishing animals. Plus there are four spreads in the book that trigger an Augmented Reality experience. See yourself in the diving cage, lowered deeper and deeper into the ocean. Then watch as a fearsome shark appears from the watery depths and rushes like a dagger towards you! It's simple to use. When you reach an Augmented Reality page, just select the relevant trigger card from the wallet at the front of the book, hold it up to your computer's webcam and get set for an interactive underwater experience! Press keys on your keyboard to watch fascinating video footage, view slideshows of related species and access additional facts.
Silver Street Farm is facing big problems in the long hot summer. Animals are very thirsty and the water bill is very large…What can the children do to make sure the animals have enough to drink and keep cool? Their solution is an exciting one! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, Escape from Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at Silver Street Farm.
Humorously told and full of facts about animals, the ups and downs of the new city farm make a great story. Three children and an unusual selection of animals for a farm – including poodle puppies who have some very unusual characteristics and some ducklings – are enough to start. Helped by local press and the neighbours Silver Street Farm comes vividly to life.This is the first in a charming series of fun-filled animal adventures on Silver Street Farm. Other titles in the series include All Aboard at Silver Street Farm , Escape from Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at silver Street Farm.
Setting up Silver Street Farm is one thing, keeping all the animals under control all of the time is another! When Kenny the Ram decides that outside the fence is nicer than inside it there seems to be no way of stopping him! The farm children have their hands full as they struggle to keep their animals in one place! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, All Aboard at Silver Street Farm and Spring Fever at silver Street Farm.
There’s loads of new life on Silver Street Farm as the pig, the goats and the sheep are all pregnant! Can the children manage the pressure! The results are exciting and the all the new babies are perfectly sweet – even if they are a bit of a handful! Other titles in the series include Welcome to Silver Street, All Aboard at Silver Street Farm and Escape from Silver Street.
All three stories in this collection deal with young children at a crisis in their lives. Maxy's mum is pregnant and has been taken into hospital with complications; Rose's family life has suddenly become difficult and different and she blames herself; and Lolly's mother has died and she and her grandparents are finding life very hard. Despite their difficulties, all three children eventually find strength and confidence through caring for animals on their farms.
The little girl in this book has never seen a barn owl, but when her grandpa puts a nest-box high in the old oak tree, they wait and they wait until one spring night, just as the sky goes pink, a pale face looks out of it, then takes off towards them.
Hippos navigate by it, sloths keep in touch through it, rabbits eat it...and most humans prefer not to mention it at all! However you look at it, poo is probably the most useful stuff on Earth. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and every animal has its own special sort. Find out what it's for, where it goes, what we can learn from it, and lots more.
There is life everywhere on Earth. From polar wastes to bubbling volcanoes - animals have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill a human quicker than you can say 'coffin'. Discover how they do it - and find out who's the toughest animal of all.
This is a collection of five short stories for fledgeling readers - the latest in the PONT Read alone series. Delightful black and white illustrations enhance the stories. Abergelli Street, where Caradoc the Cat lives with Mrs Rhossili and the pigeons, Cleo and her dog, Mr Dynefor, find the scarecrow, Bwgan, who is quite happy to look after them, the foxes explore the rubbish bags whilst Bwgan looks after their babies, Councillor Pedr Pizza finds a half-frozen dragon in his green house and Brinley, the donkey is determined to fly.
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