5 wildlife books to read during British Science Week 2025
1. Weird and Wonderful Nature
One way to describe the plants, animals and natural phenomena in this lovely hardback from DK would indeed be weird and wonderful. The Cook's pine trees on the New Caledonian islands in the Pacific Ocean fit the bill: they all tilt towards the equator no matter where they grow, and the farther from the equator they are, the more they lean towards it, which scientists still cannot explain. Weird and Wonderful Nature if these little mysteries, as well as odd stuff that science can explain like the immortal jellyfish, it effectively cheat death by putting its life cycle into reverse and reverting from adult to polyp form, doing so over and over again. But some behaviours and characteristics are much better described as freaky, gross and even horrific. Case in point, lily beetle larvae, which smear their entire bodies with their own poo to put predators off eating them. Or the horned lizard, which shoots blood from its eyes at any potential threat, and the female Surinam toad, whose eggs are implanted into her back, subsequently swelling up under the mother toad’s skin like bubble wrap before they hatch. That’s enough to induce body-horror shudders in anyone – and you don’t need to look much further for something really awful: Weird and Wonderful Nature opens with a section on fungi and the zombie ant fungus, the spores of which stick to an ant – or other insect – and begin to eat it alive before hijacking the creature’s brain and forcing it to climb high up into the treetops, where the ant dies and the fungus can burst through its exoskeleton to spread its spores over a much wider area... truly nightmarish. There’s a big selection of beautiful, cool and creepy things in Weird and Wonderful Nature, and even if you want to skip over the parts that might keep you awake at night, you won’t have to flick more than a page or two ahead to find a species or phenomenon that’s genuinely wonderful. Coupled with some stunning photography and annotated illustrations, it’s a fascinating read whatever your age.
Author: Ben Hoare Illustrator: Kaley McKean Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Author: Britt Crow-Miller Publisher: Workman Publishing
2. Wild Languages of Mother Nature
From the buzzing of a bee’s waggle dance to the roars of white rhinos, this book covers the diversity of animal communication to the fullest. With each turn of the page, there are new and surprising animal languages to discover. For example, you might be amazed to learn that crested pigeons signal danger to their kin using just their feathers and the white-spotted pufferfish constructs sandy sculptures to attract a mate. The book also explores how animals can communicate with other animals outside their species, such as drongo birds and meerkats that team up to spot potential predators. Wild Languages of Mother Nature is packed with fun facts and brilliant real-to-life illustrations that showcase the myriad ways the natural world communicates. You’ll certainly hear the squawks, grunts and howls of nature differently when you’re finished. It’s a must-read for any budding zoologist.
3. World of Rot
Who would have thought that reading about rot would be so fascinating? From the bacteria in your waste bin to the deep-sea creatures that decompose ocean giants, readers can delve into the world of decay and discover the amazing science behind its environmental importance. It’s safe to say that the wonderfully disgusting theme isn’t a typical one for a children’s book, but it’s so fun and engaging that children will soon be looking for detritivores in the garden. The theme of decomposition is carried through the book’s brilliantly creative illustrations, bringing to life the termites and slime moulds dedicated to decay. To close out this surprisingly engrossing book, there are heaps of simple experiments and projects to enjoy.
Author: Gabby Dawnay Illustrator: Margaux Samson Abadie Publisher: Quarto Publishing
4. Respect The Insect
In this amusing, factual and engaging book, young readers are introduced to the insect world in a visual way to help understand each creature’s importance. Each insect is personified by a cartoon character who will explain their daily role in the environment. Let the critters welcome you into their homes for a grand tour, detailing how they built their homes and some of the ways their actions are misunderstood. From the plastic problem-solving wax moth caterpillar to earth- moving termites and honey- making bees, each page shows a new animal in action. From desert dwellers to insects that need to live in conditions so cold they would die if you touched them, wherever you live in the world, this ensures the next time you come across one of these species, you will hold more respect for the insect.
Author: Jules Howard Illustrator: Gosia Herba Publisher: Quarto Publishing
5. Secret Stories of Nature
This illustrative field guide highlights some of the most fascinating mysteries hidden in the wild. Each chapter delves into different environments and picks out interesting ancient stories of their animal inhabitants, like the dinosaur ants that learned to listen with their feet and the big cats that used them for camouflage. Secret Stories of Nature is packed with fascinating tales of the world’s wildlife. It’s not just the animals in the spotlight, but also some of the natural processes that help scientists uncover their stories, such as ice cores and fossil formation. Along with a heap of new knowledge and intriguing insights, readers are treated to a menagerie of beautiful illustrations that bring each animal to life. For children that are inquisitive about the natural world or excited by animals, this book is a must-read.
Author: Saskia Gwinn Illustrator: Vasilisa Romanenko Publisher: Quarto Publishing
