"A diary which highlights our essential connection with the natural world, the landscape and our history embedded within it - but more importantly, it is also about our future"
October 2020 Debut of the Month | Winner of the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing 2020
Diary of a Young Naturalist recounts a year in the life of an autistic and highly gifted 15 year old, struggling with school, bullies, moving house and fearing the decline of the natural world whilst rejoicing in it. Dara McAnulty is clearly an extraordinary person and a beautiful and mature writer. His descriptions of his adventures in nature are inspiring for children, but also sure to brighten the souls of many an adult too.
The intensity with which nature presents itself to the author is overwhelming, and his ability to share this with the reader is enthralling. It’s a rollercoaster ride being in the head of this young man, but the book has the magic to open our eyes and ears to what beauty is around us each and every day - if only we looked!
McAnulty's knowledge of wildlife and nature is simply extraordinary. His autism is a burden but also a super-power, providing him with piercing insight to a world that simply cannot be ignored with all its truth, tragedy and hope pouring out of every hedgerow, pond and dry stone wall.
This is a diary which highlights our essential connection with the natural world, the landscape and our history embedded within it - but more importantly, it is also about our futures. Dara McAnulty is on a mission, and if the quality of this book is anything to go by, he will have a huge impact. For many children, this book will be the beginning of a wondrous journey. ~ Greg Hackett
Greg Hackett is the Founder & Director of the London Mountain Film Festival
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Winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize, Diary of a Young Naturalist chronicles the turning of Dara McAnulty's world, from spring to summer, autumn to winter, on his home patch, at school, in the wild and in his head.
Evocative, raw and beautifully written, this very special book vividly explores the natural world from the perspective of an autistic teenager juggling homework, exams and friendships alongside his life as a conservationist and environmental activist. With a sense of awe and wonder, Dara describes in meticulous detail encounters in his garden and the wild, with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions, skylarks, bats, cuckoo flowers, Irish hares and many more species. The power and warmth of his words also draw an affectionate and moving portrait of a close-knit family making their way in the world.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Diary of a Young Naturalist and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-18 years old
Diary of a Young Naturalist features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Non Fiction, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, People / Places, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, The Natural World, Featured Books for 13+ readers, General Knowledge & Trivia
Diary of a Young Naturalist is available in Paperback, Hardback
Diary of a Young Naturalist was written by Dara McAnulty and published by Little Toller Books
Diary of a Young Naturalist has 219 pages
£14.40
