Search Results for: Gift and Humour

The lizards are alarmed. 
The snakes are scared. 
The antelopes are apoplectic. 
Why? The meerkats have turned mean. 
Sure, they look cute with their little noses in the air. And some of them are. But have you ever paused to wonder what’s really going on in those cosy communities? There’s a darker side to the cuddly meerkat, and the shocking truth is revealed here for the first time in When Meerkats Turn Bad.

Whales that look like unicorns, lizards that squirt jets of blood from their eyes, naked rats that can sprint backwards… It seems as though some creatures have been put on this earth just to amaze us.

From the harmless but hilarious to the truly frightening and deadly, the animals in this book are guaranteed to keep you enthralled, astonished and extremely amused.

Pocket-sized gophers, fuzzy finger-monkeys and cuddly koalas are just a few of the cute and loveable creatures you’ll find in this book. From the teeniest to the fluffiest, this collection of the world’s cutest animals contains lavish photographs, interesting facts and ‘snuggle ratings’ for Nature’s most adorable creatures – so sweet you’ll want one of each!

Man-eating maggots, poisonous birds and freshwater fish with teeth as big as a tiger’s are just a few of the dangerous and deadly creatures you’ll encounter in this book. From tiny terrors to raging beasts, this collection of the world’s deadliest animals contains amazing photographs, gruesome descriptions and shocking stats on real-life monsters of the natural world – proceed with caution!

Book of the Month, Countryside magazine

‘[this] fascinating new book… provides a detailed insight into the snow-white species’ Waterways World


A wildlife writer and photographer’s celebration of the mute swan, Britain’s most iconic breed, exploring the bird’s significance across myth and history alongside vivid observations on its habits and habitats.

The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. The mute swan – with its orange beak and aura of stately silence – is the breed we know best in Britain.

Dan Keel has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He’s spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a pilot sharing the skies.

In this labour of love, Dan speaks up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future. Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans.

Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan’s story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.

This charming and practical handbook is bursting with tips, facts and folklore to guide you through the birdwatching year. Find out how to identify birds by sight or song, everything you need to know about their behaviour, habitats and breeding and migration habits, and tips for encouraging birds into your garden. Also includes handy diary pages for making your own notes each month. A must-have for any eager birdwatcher.

This book celebrates oceans, coasts and shorelines the world over. Bringing together incredible stories and legends of the sea, delicious recipes and activities inspired by the coast, and fascinating trivia on everything from marine exploration to the turning tides, it will captivate anyone who is enthralled by the wonder of the sea.

‘I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.’
Joseph Addison
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of birds, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of birdwatching.