Shortlisted for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature & Conservation 2023, A Wild Child’s Book of Birds invites young readers, and curious adults, to discover the extraordinary world of birds across the changing seasons.

Written by award-winning young naturalist Dara McAnulty, and brought to life with vibrant full-colour illustrations by Barry Falls, this beautiful book guides families through a year of birdlife in Britain and Ireland. Each seasonal chapter explores what birds are doing at that time of year: from nesting and singing to migration, moulting and raising their young.

Readers will learn about birdsong, beaks, feathers, nests, eggs, flight, migration patterns, and how to recognise different species in their local area. There are practical tips on what to plant to attract garden birds, what foods to offer, and fun ways for children to record their sightings. Special sections shine a light on birds of prey, clever corvids, and the presence of birds in myth, poetry and literature.

Rich in knowledge, and endlessly engaging A Wild Child’s Book of Birds is a perfect choice for families seeking inspiring children’s nature books about birds, and a joyful introduction to the wildlife living right outside our doors.