Jules Howard – författare

What's your favourite animal fact? Have you ever wondered who discovered it in the first place? Chances are, it was a zoologist!Join the scientists uncovering the secrets of the animal kingdom in this funny, fact-packed introduction to zoology. The Who, What, Why of Zoology is an exciting first book on this fascinating field of science. From the deepest oceans to Himalayan valleys, zoologists explore far and wide to better understand the worlds of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and nearly anything else that can walk, fly or swim!Not only is this book filled with up-to-the-minute facts about your favourite animals, but it also goes behind the scenes and out in the field to show how real zoologists find out more about the creatures we know, and even discover new ones.Each chapter dives into a different real-world environment to observe the animals that live there, then fills the scene with zoologists to explore how this exciting science actually works. Then, turn the page to learn about the modern mysteries to which scientists are still searching for answers. Every page is bursting with facts you've never heard before, as well as plenty of funny detail to keep you searching for hours.With chapters including:   Tropical Reefs Arctic Tundra Deserts Rainforests Deep Oceans ... and many more!The Who, What, Why of Zoology is the perfect introduction to an important STEM topic for readers aged 6-9, combining expertise from zoologist author Jules Howard with vibrant and humour-filled illustrations from Lucy Letherland. Bring science to life with this one-of-a-kind animal book!

Find out the real story about the bugs all around us. Creepy crawlies do so much for us! They make honey, eat waste, help make chocolate and more. And in this wacky book, these helpful critters are taking you on a grand tour of their homes! They just can’t wait to tell you about all the good they do. They’ll show you the special skills and features they have, explain why they’re so important to the ecosystem, and generally make their case for why they deserve a little more credit. You’ll meet: the flesh-eating beetles who may sound creepy but are just misunderstood. In fact, they help museum staff clean up old specimens, and out in the wild, they make sure the world’s forest floors aren’t littered with dead creatures, saving us from very gruesome woodland walksthe midges who are one of the only bugs able to pollinate cacao plants, and without whom there would be no chocolate!the wax moth caterpillars—one of the first species known to be able to safely digest plastic, who could hold the key to reducing this tough-to-break-down material And many, many more! Without insects like the ones in this book, we wouldn't be here, but they are disappearing fast. This book introduces young readers to a loveable bunch of bugs, encouraging a new generation of mini-beast protectors. Support your child’s learning and gently introduce them to environmental issues with this colourful and fun book that’s packed with fascinating facts.

Meet the tiny-but-tough tardigrade and the awe-inspiring blue whale in this illustrated introduction to invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.Learn everything about more than 275 species, specially selected by natural historian Jules Howard and brought to life by the detailed artwork of Jarom Vogel. With fact panels breaking down each animal’s most unique traits, as well as its habitat, size and diet, every page in Encyclopedia of Animals is sure to introduce young readers to their new favourite critter.Beloved species like the African elephant, great white shark and western gorilla get their own dedicated feature page, while more unusual species include the hellbender, Chan’s megastick and pink fairy armadillo. Discover the shrimp that punches its prey with superheated water, marvel at the frog whose beating heart can be seen through its skin, and learn about the rarest turtle on the planet.If it bites, crawls, hops, flies, swings from the treetops or dives to the bottom of the ocean, there’s a good chance you’ll find it in this encyclopedia!And be sure to check out Encyclopedia of Insects, a go-to guide crawling with incredible facts about this huge and diverse class of animal.

Encyclopedia of Birds is your ultimate guide to the extraordinary world of birds, packed with information about 300+ species from every corner of the globe. From the tiniest hummingbird to the mighty wandering albatross, this comprehensive encyclopedia celebrates the dazzling diversity of bird life.  Written by zoologist and natural history expert, Jules Howard, and brought to life with spectacular artwork by Namasri Niumim, this book will awaken curiosity and appreciation for these feathered wonders. Inside, you’ll discover: Detailed information about hundreds of species from parrots and toucans to owls, cranes and flamingos. Fascinating anatomy and adaptations. Learn how feathers, hollow bones and specialised beaks help birds thrive in nearly every habitat. Behavioural marvels such as courtship dances, mimicry, tool use, echolocation and epic migrations. The ecological roles of birds including as pollinators, seed dispersers and pest controllers which helps keep ecosystems in balance. Conservation stories. You’ll meet endangered species like the kākāpō and California condor and discover how we can help protect them. Perfect for family exploration, Encyclopedia of Birds invites readers to decode the skies and hedgerows together, whether after a countryside walk or while spotting feathered visitors in the garden.   Also designed for effortless navigation, it's both an elegant addition to any home library and a trusted, authoritative resource for classrooms.

Dive into a dazzling underwater world and discover just how important fish really are.   Fish are FINTASTIC! No, really – they do so much for us. They help prevent diseases, build beaches, create medicines and balance entire ecosystems. Yet most people have no idea how incredible fish are . . .   Follow your pufferfish guide through a wild, witty underwater adventure that reveals the brilliant skills, hidden superpowers and ecological importance of fish – and why they should never, ever be underestimated.  Along the way, you’ll meet: The gulping guppies who help stop the spread of diseases like malaria by gobbling up mosquito larvae in village ponds. The herring shoals who've invented a smelly way to communicate – through farts, which even have different accents. The great white sharks who work diligently to stop smaller animals taking over foodchains, keeping the underwater eco-system in balance. . . . and many more fishy friends who quietly keep our planet alive! Without fish, we wouldn't be here – but they're in danger of disappearing. This book introduces young readers to a loveable bunch of fishy friends, inspiring a new generation of underwater protectors.   With gloriously quirky text and illustrations from dynamic duo Jules Howard and Gosia Herba, this stunning book will reel you in hook, line and sinker!

A journey of discovery through the ins and outs of reproduction in the animal kingdom'Written with Bill Bryson–like wit' Booklist'A writ­er who blends professional expertise in zoology with charm, wit, and a cockeyed sense of humor. What better guide through nature’s red-light district could one ask for?' Natural History Magazine1,000 million years ago, a sexual revolution occurred on Earth. Sex happened for the first time; from this moment the world became ever more colourful and bizarre, ringing with elaborate songs and dances, epic battles, and rallying cries as the desires of males and females collided, generation after generation.All of your ancestors took part and succeeded – an unbroken chain of sex right back to the dawn of complex life on Earth. Well done you. Well done everything.The world in which we live rings, bleeds, and howls with sex. It’s everywhere. Right now warring hordes are locking horns, preening feathers, rampaging lustfully across the savanna, questioning the fidelity of the ones they love. Birds are singing, flowers bloom. A million females choose; a billion penises ejaculate (or snap off); a trillion sperm battle, block and tackle.Written in a brilliantly engaging style by biologist Jules Howard, this fascinating and highly readable work covers the how and why of sex on Earth, in all its diversity. From sperm wars to cuckoldry, hermaphrodites and virgin births, spent males, racy harems, clitoral births, hips, breasts and birdsong, penis-percussion, and those riskiest and most elusive of all traits, monogamy and true love, all this and more is discussed in Sex on Earth, as Jules takes us on a voyage of discovery of the ins and outs of animal reproduction.

There is nothing more life-affirming than understanding death in all its forms.Natural selection depends on death; little would evolve without it. Every animal on Earth is shaped by its presence and fashioned by its spectre. We are all survivors of starvation, drought, volcanic eruptions, meteorites, plagues, parasites, predators, freak weather events, tussles and scraps, and our bodies are shaped by these ancient events. Some animals live for just a few hours as adults, others prefer to kill themselves rather than live unnecessarily for longer than they are needed, and there are a number of animals that can live for centuries. There are parasites that drive their hosts to die awful deaths, and parasites that manipulate their hosts to live longer, healthier lives. There is death in life.Amongst all of this, there is us, the upright ape; perhaps the first animal in the history of the universe fully conscious that death really is going to happen to us all in the end.With a narrative featuring a fish with a fake eye, the oldest animal in the world, the immortal jellyfish and some of the world’s top death-investigating biologists, Death on Earth explores the never-ending cycle of death and the impact death has on the living, and muses on how evolution and death affect us every single day. Why are we so weird about death? Where does this fear come from? Why are we so afraid of ageing? And how might knowledge of ageing in other animals help us live better lives, free of the diseases of old age?

RSPB Spotlight: Frogs and Toads is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct and detailed text written by an expert on these amphibians.They were bestowed with magical properties in folklore, they were sought after as ingredients of witches’ broth, and they are comic characters that have invaded popular culture, from Kermit the Frog to Toad of Toad Hall. Frogs and toads are charismatic members of Britain’s wildlife. But what do you really know about them?Scratch beneath the surface, and you will discover some of nature’s weirdest creatures, amphibians whose ecology we are only now coming to understand. Spotlight Frogs and Toads is a compelling account of Britain’s four native amphibian species: the Common Frog, the Pool Frog, the Common Toad and the rare and secretive Natterjack Toad. New research suggests that, in the next ten years, three out of four UK species are likely to be listed as threatened. Revealing a host of secrets, including how they migrate, what they eat, and how they got to the UK in the first place, Jules Howard inspires us all to look down, rather than up, in spring.The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photographs and informative expert text.

This friendly, practical guide includes everything you need to know to pick up a spade, put in a pond and help wildlife flourish right outside your back door.Ponds are vital oases for nature. They are nursery grounds, feeding stops and bathing spots. They are genetic superhighways and vibrant ecosystems each brimming with life, interactions and potential. And they are for everyone.In The Wildlife Pond Book, Jules Howard offers a fresh perspective on ponds and encourages gardeners to reach for a garden spade and do something positive to benefit our shared neighbourhood nature.As well as offering practical tips and advice on designing, planting up and maintaining your pond, Jules encourages readers to explore the wildlife that colonises it with a torch, a microscope or a good old-fashioned pond-dipping net.With a foreword by award-winning wildlife-gardening author, Kate Bradbury, this helpful new guide includes a section outlining the hundreds of organisms that may turn up in your pond and is packed with creative ideas that have been tried and tested by author Jules Howard, an avid pond-builder, prolific pond-dipper and passionate voice for freshwater conservation for more than fifteen years.So, no matter how big your outdoor space is, The Wildlife Pond Book is the guide you need to create your very own haven for nature.

RSPB Spotlight: Snakes is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Snakes are superbly secretive reptiles, celebrated by many for their highly tuned senses and their complex and mysterious seasonal behaviours. Though some people may be fearful of them, these important reptiles play a crucial role in many habitats. And an encounter with any one of our native snake species is an experience worth cherishing.In Spotlight Snakes, Jules Howard takes readers on a journey through the ecology and lifestyle of Britain’s three native snake species: the Barred Grass Snake, the Smooth Snake and our only venomous snake species, the Adder. As well as uncovering their unique hunting styles and courtship rituals, he delves into the myths and legends at the heart of humankind’s widespread and sometimes troublesome fascination with these animals. He also charts the conservation challenges our native snakes face in the modern age and explores the solutions conservationists are employing to help these extraordinary predators remain a vital part of British ecosystems for generations to come.The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photographs and informative expert text.

WINNER OF THE 2022 BARKER BOOK AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION.‘Heartwarming.’ THE TIMES‘A delightful read.’ KATE MACDOUGALL‘Just the thing for dog lovers.’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY‘Brilliant.’ PROFESSOR ALICE ROBERTS‘Amusing and enlightening.’ COUNTRYMAN‘Fascinating and eye-opening.’ DR JESS FRENCH‘A wonderful book!’ VIRGINIA MORRELL‘Profound.’ THE GUARDIANHow dogs defied science and changed the way we think about animalsWhat do dogs really think of us? What do dogs know and understand of the world? Do their emotions feel like our own? Do they love like we do?Driven by his own love of dogs, Charles Darwin was nagged by questions like these. To root out answers, his contemporaries toyed with dog sign language. To reveal clues, they made special puzzle boxes and elaborate sniff tests using old socks. Later, the same perennial questions about the minds of dogs drove Pavlov and Pasteur to unspeakable cruelty in their search for truth. These big names in science influenced leagues of psychologists and animal behaviourists, each building upon the ideas and received wisdom of previous generations but failing to see what was staring them in the face – that the very methods humans used to study dogs’ minds were influencing the insights reflected back.To discover the impressive cognitive feats that dogs are capable of, a new approach was needed. Treated with love and compassion, dogs would open up their unique perspective on the world, and a new breed of scientists would be provided answers to life’s biggest questions.Wonderdog is the story of those dogs – a historical account of how we came to know what dogs are capable of. It’s a celebration of animal minds and the secrets they hold. And it’s a love letter to science, through the good times and the bad.

WINNER OF THE 2022 BARKER BOOK AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION.‘Heartwarming.’ THE TIMES‘A delightful read.’ KATE MACDOUGALL‘Just the thing for dog lovers.’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY‘Brilliant.’ PROFESSOR ALICE ROBERTS‘Amusing and enlightening.’ COUNTRYMAN‘Fascinating and eye-opening.’ DR JESS FRENCH‘A wonderful book!’ VIRGINIA MORRELL‘Profound.’ THE GUARDIANHow dogs defied science and changed the way we think about animalsWhat do dogs really think of us? What do dogs know and understand of the world? Do their emotions feel like our own? Do they love like we do?Driven by his own love of dogs, Charles Darwin was nagged by questions like these. To root out answers, his contemporaries toyed with dog sign language. To reveal clues, they made special puzzle boxes and elaborate sniff tests using old socks. Later, the same perennial questions about the minds of dogs drove Pavlov and Pasteur to unspeakable cruelty in their search for truth. These big names in science influenced leagues of psychologists and animal behaviourists, each building upon the ideas and received wisdom of previous generations but failing to see what was staring them in the face – that the very methods humans used to study dogs’ minds were influencing the insights reflected back.To discover the impressive cognitive feats that dogs are capable of, a new approach was needed. Treated with love and compassion, dogs would open up their unique perspective on the world, and a new breed of scientists would be provided answers to life’s biggest questions.Wonderdog is the story of those dogs – a historical account of how we came to know what dogs are capable of. It’s a celebration of animal minds and the secrets they hold. And it’s a love letter to science, through the good times and the bad.

‘Planet Earth is just amazing,’ said Flarp. ‘Mostly, it’s a planet of beetles, but if you look closely there’s so much else going on, too.'Shhh! It's midnight at the Museum of Earth Animals, where a class of Martian children are on a special sleepover school trip to learn about all the strange and fascinating creatures of Earth. They're all snoozing peacefully when ... CRASH! Something is causing chaos in the galleries and it's up to Lolo and Flarp to figure out WHO or WHAT it is. Is it a burglar? A monster? A dinosaur? Follow our Martian friends as they explore the museum halls at night, finding out lots of fascinating animal facts along the way. Featuring funny text by zoologist Jules Howard, magnificent illustrations by Matt Hunt and fold-out pages with lots to spot, this is a book kids will reach for it again and again.

Every animal on the planet owes its existence to one crucial piece of evolutionary engineering: the egg. It’s time to tell a new story of life on Earth. ‘Jules Howard’s egg’s-eye view of evolution is dripping with fascinating insights’ ALICE ROBERTS‘So much passion and poetic prose' BBC Radio 4, Inside Science If you think of an egg, what do you see in your mind’s eye? A chicken egg, hard-boiled? A slimy mass of frogspawn? Perhaps you see a human egg cell, prepared on a microscope slide in a laboratory? Or the majestic marble-blue eggs of the blackbird? Every egg there has ever been, is an emblem of survival. Yet the evolution of the animal egg is the dramatic subplot missing in many accounts of how life on Earth came to be. Quite simply, without this universal biological phenomenon, animals as we know them, including us, could not have evolved and flourished. In Infinite Life, zoology correspondent Jules Howard takes the reader on a mind-bending journey from the churning coastlines of the Cambrian Period and Carboniferous coal forests, where insects were stirring, to the end of the age of dinosaurs when live-birthing mammals began their modern rise to power. Eggs would evolve from out of the sea; be set by animals into soils, sands, canyons and mudflats; be dropped in nests wrapped in silk; hung in stick nests in trees, covered in crystallised shells or secured by placentas. Whether belonging to birds, insects, mammals or millipedes, animal eggs are objects that have been shaped by their ecology, forged by mass extinctions and honed by natural selection to near-perfection. Finally, the epic story of their role in the tapestry of life can be told.‘In a book that brilliantly evokes past eras, Howard provides a new perspective on the history of life on Earth.’ The Mail on Sunday

Every animal on the planet owes its existence to one crucial piece of evolutionary engineering: the egg. It’s time to tell a new story of life on Earth. ‘Jules Howard’s egg’s-eye view of evolution is dripping with fascinating insights’ ALICE ROBERTS‘So much passion and poetic prose' BBC Radio 4, Inside Science If you think of an egg, what do you see in your mind’s eye? A chicken egg, hard-boiled? A slimy mass of frogspawn? Perhaps you see a human egg cell, prepared on a microscope slide in a laboratory? Or the majestic marble-blue eggs of the blackbird? Every egg there has ever been, is an emblem of survival. Yet the evolution of the animal egg is the dramatic subplot missing in many accounts of how life on Earth came to be. Quite simply, without this universal biological phenomenon, animals as we know them, including us, could not have evolved and flourished. In Infinite Life, zoology correspondent Jules Howard takes the reader on a mind-bending journey from the churning coastlines of the Cambrian Period and Carboniferous coal forests, where insects were stirring, to the end of the age of dinosaurs when live-birthing mammals began their modern rise to power. Eggs would evolve from out of the sea; be set by animals into soils, sands, canyons and mudflats; be dropped in nests wrapped in silk; hung in stick nests in trees, covered in crystallised shells or secured by placentas. Whether belonging to birds, insects, mammals or millipedes, animal eggs are objects that have been shaped by their ecology, forged by mass extinctions and honed by natural selection to near-perfection. Finally, the epic story of their role in the tapestry of life can be told.‘In a book that brilliantly evokes past eras, Howard provides a new perspective on the history of life on Earth.’ The Mail on Sunday

What did pig-like Entelodon and prehistoric horse Eohippus have in common? Who did 'walking whale' Ambulocetus share a taxomonic order with? Prehistoric Creatures of the Order collects members of the same taxonomic order - families of animals that share an important evolutionary trait - together in an informative and beautifully illustrated way. Fascinating text brings Kelsey Oseid's charming illustrations to life in this enchanting look at the animal kingdom.

What's so special about animal skeletons? Find out in BONES, an inside look at the animal kingdom.How are animals able to bite, run, jump and fly? What special adaptions have they developed over time? Bones takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the biological history of the animal kingdom, with sections focusing on different animal abilities - biting, flying, jaws, tails, and more - explaining how their amazing bodies allow them to do so many different things.

Encyclopedia of Birds is your ultimate guide to the extraordinary world of birds, packed with information about 300+ species from every corner of the globe. From the tiniest hummingbird to the mighty wandering albatross, this comprehensive encyclopedia celebrates the dazzling diversity of bird life.  Written by zoologist and natural history expert, Jules Howard, and brought to life with spectacular artwork by Namasri Niumim, this book will awaken curiosity and appreciation for these feathered wonders. Inside, you’ll discover: Detailed information about hundreds of species from parrots and toucans to owls, cranes and flamingos. Fascinating anatomy and adaptations. Learn how feathers, hollow bones and specialised beaks help birds thrive in nearly every habitat. Behavioural marvels such as courtship dances, mimicry, tool use, echolocation and epic migrations. The ecological roles of birds including as pollinators, seed dispersers and pest controllers which helps keep ecosystems in balance. Conservation stories. You’ll meet endangered species like the kākāpō and California condor and discover how we can help protect them. Perfect for family exploration, Encyclopedia of Birds invites readers to decode the skies and hedgerows together, whether after a countryside walk or while spotting feathered visitors in the garden.   Also designed for effortless navigation, it's both an elegant addition to any home library and a trusted, authoritative resource for classrooms.

Step into the forest and discover the magic of fungi in this enchanting encyclopedia, packed with vibrant illustrations and easy-to-understand facts!  Beneath the leaves, on tree trunks and even in your own garden, fungi are quietly working their wonders. From glowing toadstools and fluffy puffballs to delicious truffles and rainbow-bright slime moulds, the Encyclopedia of Fungi introduces you to over 300 fungi from around the world, exploring the fascinating hidden kingdom right under our feet.  Organised into clear sections, with handy tips, a glossary and an index to help with exploring, this book is designed for dipping in and out – whether on a family walk in the woods, curled up at storytime, or as a go-to guide for budding young naturalists.  Children will love spotting their favourites, learning about each species and discovering which mushrooms form fairy rings, which help trees talk to each other and which ones are just too weird to believe!  Both a joyful reference and a beautiful keepsake, the Encyclopedia of Fungi invites children and grown-ups alike to celebrate the small but mighty organisms that make our world so extraordinary.

A fascinating celebration of the world's most enormous animals!Discover the magnificent megafauna that have shaped our planet - from the mighty megalodon, sabre-toothed cats and giant birds that existed millions of years ago, to the elephants, giraffes and whales that live today.But why did some of the largest creatures on Earth go extinct? What do we know about their lives from the clues they left behind? And how can we protect the megafauna that roam our planet today? Unearth these secrets and many more in this captivating compendium.Written by zoology correspondent, science-writer and broadcaster Jules HowardWith astonishing illustrations on every page by Gavin ScottWith a mega jacket cover that unfolds to become a poster!The perfect gift for any child aged 7+ with an interest in animals and protecting our planet

Evolution as you've never seen it before! An incredible pick-your-own-path adventure through the story of life on Earth.Think of an animal, any animal at all. It could be a shark, a squid, a snail, or even a human like you! Every single animal has a secret history. A death-defying adventure that has happened across millions of years, called evolution.On every page, you will discover a new animal with its own exciting story to tell. It's up to YOU to make the decisions that will lead to their next evolutionary step. Can you survive to the present-day or will you face extinction along the way? Will you grow a backbone, take to the skies, or dive deeper for your dinner? For the first time ever, the journey is in your hands . . .This unique book features ferociously funny and brilliantly accessible science from zoologist, author and TV presenter Jules Howard. Meet chimpanzees and chickens, Tyrannosaurus rexes and tigers, with over 50 different animal endings to discover.The perfect introduction to the awe-inspiring story of life on Earth.Bronze winner in the Best Designed Book for Children (Factual) category at the Junior Design Awards 2025.