The best inspiration apart from spending time in nature is picture books. I am passionate about all sorts of books and children’s books are no different. Wonderful pictures, exciting stories, and silly rhymes are the best way to get ideas. The best picture books contain plenty of opportunities for learning, yet it does not feel like learning.
Save Our Species: Endangered Animals and How You Can Save Them by Dominic Couzens
This is a stunning practical guide to understanding and preserving 30 plants and animals that are on the decline in Britain. The book is brimming with information about well-loved creatures such as hedgehogs, puffins, and nightingales. Species that sadly has been in decline in the UK since the 1950s and 1960s.
With beautiful illustrations from Sarah Edmonds, lesser-known British animals such as the pink sea fan, and the grey long-eared bat are also included. I love that this book offers suggestions on what we need to do to help the animals so that they have the best chance of survival.
Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature: Amazing Animals and the Magical Creatures of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts by The Natural History Museum
Wow! This book is a real treat and a book that I will return to again and again. It is will delight both naturalists and Harry Potter fans. The perfect combination of both. The book explores the magical creatures from J.K.Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, as well as the mythological and real creatures of our Muggle world.
A range of experts and conservationists begins each chapter with an essay written about the creature. Filled with spectacular information and wonderful pictures and illustrations. The book is inspiared by an exhibition at the National History Museum in London.
Wild City: Meet the animals who share our city spaces by Ben Hoare
Wildlife is all around us even if you live in a city. Many animals live close to our doorsteps and this amazing book introduces some of the wildlife that you can find in urban settings. Amazing detailed illustrations by Lucy Rose transports you to the often hidden wildlife that thrives in big cities. Learn about why Cape Towns attract lots of sea life. Do you know where reptiles like to stay in Bangkok?
Biomimicry for Young Children 