Mark Hearld – illustratör

An exquisite book that evokes a child's first experience of nature.From beachcombing to stargazing, from watching squirrels, ducks and worms to making berry crumble or a winter bird feast, this is a remarkable book – part poetry, part scrapbook of recipes, facts and fragments – and a glorious reminder that the natural world is on our doorstep waiting to be discovered. Mark Hearld's pictures beautifully reproduce the colours of the seasons on woodfree paper, and Nicola Davies' lyrical words capture the simple loveliness that is everywhere, if only we can look.

With a space inside to write your own message, this charming poetry-pamphlet is the perfect gift for any time of year.The wiggling tails of lambs in spring; the chirruping song of crickets in summer; first two or three, then ten ducks hurrying your way in winter, "as if pulled by a string"... Nicola Davies skillfully interweaves fact and fiction in nine keenly observant poems, which celebrate a child's first animal encounters. Originally appearing in the award-winning collection A First Book of Nature, Hearld’s richly-textured, nostalgic illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to her words, and are reproduced here in full colour. With a space inside the jacket for you to write your own message, this pocket-sized poetry pamphlet is the perfect present for any time of year – and comes inside a packet including an envelope, ready for popping in the post!"Nicola Davies is one of our finest writers for children about the natural world" – The Sunday Times