ACHUKA

children's & YA recommendations on the go

You are here: Home / Archives for wildlife

What Makes a Bird?: An Illustrated Guide to the Bird World by Nadeem Perera ill. Montse Galbany

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Apr 2026

Publisher: Flying Eye Books
ISBN: 9781838742065

“Perera highlights both [birds’] universal characteristics (wings, beaks, feathers, two legs) and the many adaptations that have allowed them to survive in nearly every kind of habitat from oceans to cities and polar regions. Galbany follows suit with a bountiful gallery of species, all depicted in stylized but precise detail and in natural settings and attitudes but with plenty of inserted close-up views of distinctive beaks, nests, patterned feathers, and anatomical structures… 

An informative and engaging introduction to birds written by wildlife TV presenter and bird watcher, Nadeem Perera.

A richly illustrated book detailing everything that makes a bird a bird. Featuring birds from all over the world, and peppered with clear case studies on different bird species and punchy fact files on all things beaks, feathers, migration, nesting and more, the book also closes with a chapter on connecting with birds and becoming a birder.

Follow Montse Galbany—a digital illustrator and graphic designer living in Granollers, a city close to Barcelona—on

Here are more examples of the illustrator’s work:

The STEM Encyclopedia of Wildlife Words: An Illustrated a to Z of 100 Animal Terms for Kids to Know by Jenny Jacoby designed by Vicky Barker

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 31 March 2026

Publisher: b small publishing limited
ISBN: 9781916851689

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by b small publishing (@bsmallpublishing)

An illustrated encyclopedia covering the top 100 animal-related words that children ought to know. Organised in alphabetical order with each term beautifully and humorously illustrated, the essential concepts will fascinate scientifically minded animal-lovers.

There is a contents list at the front and a full index at the back, plenty of extra words and definitions … plus fascinating facts. 

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Jenny Jacoby (@jennyjacobybooks)

Jenny Jacoby is an experienced and respected non-fiction author of non-fiction titles for children. Here are some of her other books:

 

Dangerous Animals Survival Guide: Could You Survive the World’s Deadliest Creatures? by Sam Hume

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Mar 2026

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008751883

See also:
An Anthology of Aquatic Life (2022)

“This superb non-fiction book, written by an experienced wildlife film-maker, introduces readers to fifty of the most fearsome creatures on the planet, from the tiny tick to the jumbo squid.” BookTrust

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Collins4Parents (@collins4parents)

Meet 50 of the most dangerous animals on the planet and find out how to stay alive if you’re (un)lucky enough to meet one.

Never look a gorilla in the eye.
Never stand in front of an elephant.
Never be upwind of a polar bear.
And NEVER run from a lion!

Come face-to-face with creatures of all shapes and sizes—from hippos and crocodiles to mosquitoes and scorpions. Find out which have a deadly venom, a powerful bite or terrifying talons and uncover the tell-tale signs that they are going to strike!

Perfect for budding zoologists and animal fans, this book will bring awe, wonder and a whole lot of respect for some of the most feared creatures on Earth!

Follow Sam the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Sam Hume (@sampumahume)

Frank is a Butterfly by Alex Latimer

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Aug 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
Gordon Wins It All [ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Jul 2025]
Gordon The Meanest Goose On Earth [ACHUKA Book of the Day 19 Aug 2024]
Godfrey Is A Frog [ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 Jul 2024]
The Duck Never Blinks [ACHUKA Book of the Day  28 Jul 2023]

Another title greatly enjoyed by our grand-daughter Wilma on her summer visit, and endorsed by her wildlife documentary-maker father (go follow Team Candiru on YouTube)

On a broad green leaf sit ten rather gorgeous (though they do say so themselves) caterpillars. And all they can talk about is what beautiful butterflies they are going to be! But not Frank.

Frank is a very plain caterpillar, but he’s fine with that. There’s so much beauty to see all around him, and so many interesting insects to say good morning to. When the butterflies hatch, they are not happy. Not one of them looks quite as fabulous as they thought they would. Except for Frank . . .

You can follow Alex on

Land of the Last Wildcat by Lui Sit ill. David Dean

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 21 May 2025
Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month May 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“An exciting magical mystery and adventure unfolds with twists and turns all the way. There’s real bravery here, and at its heart this book has an ecological message: a story of how people and nature can live in harmony to the benefit of all. ” BookTrust
“Sit is a highly suspenseful storyteller, who unravels a dense plot in less than 300 pages, and plunges her heroine into the sort of white-knuckle capers reminiscent of the lost worlds of Biggles and Boy’s Own.” Telegraph
“An exciting adventure…” BfK
“A fast-paced adventure…” ChildrensBooksIreland

Adventure and magic collide in Lui Sit’s fast-paced debut children’s novel about family, friendship and the beauty of our natural world. Illustrated throughout in black and white by David Dean.

Puffin Lau has two problems: her beloved scientist mum barely speaks to her,and a mythical wildcat called the Kuri is depending on her for its survival.

Luckily, Puffin grew up on stories of the Kuri and its magical powers, and she will stop at nothing to return it to its rightful home.

But standing in her way is the ominous Professor Smoult, a money-hungry scientist who wants to capture the Kuri and steal its magic. Faced with a mammoth journey to the faraway Linger Island, Puffin and her best friend Lance must evade the professor and save the last wildcat before it’s too late. 

You can follow Lui Sit on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Lui Sit (@lui.land)

Wilding by Isabella Tree ill. Angela Harding

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Mar 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

A triumph of writing, illustration and book design. Sure to be one of the standout titles of the year.

With exquisite lino-cut illustrations and watercolours from Angela Harding, this visual adaptation of Isabella Tree’s modern classic presents the enthralling story of how nature was returned to the Knepp Estate in West Sussex.

The illustrations help explain how rewilding works and include beautiful spreads featuring species that have returned and now thrive.

There are accessible in-garden activities to ‘re-wild’ your own spaces and the book encourages young readers to slow down and observe the natural world around them, and start to understand the connections between species and habitats, and the huge potential for life right on their doorstep.

Follow Angela Harding on :

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Angela Harding (@angelaharding11)

Bompa’s Insect Expedition by David Suzuki & Tanya Lloyd Kyi ill. Qin Leng

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 28 Sep 2023

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

ACHUKA _loves_ Qin Leng’s work. See also:
A Day For Sandcastles [Book of the Day 3 Jun 2022]
New Year [Book of the Day 17 Dec 2021]
Over The Shop [Book of the Year 2021]

“Along with lavishing her lush, grassy settings with wildflowers and exactly drawn fauna from beetles to birds, Leng indulges the fancies of the three Asian-presenting observers by endowing each with dragonfly wings in one scene, giving them a sobering glimpse of a meadow bereft of flowers and pollinators, and shrinking them down for face-to-face encounters.” KIRKUS

It’s time for the twins to go on a nature expedition with Bompa. What marvelous place will they explore this time? Tidepools at the sea? The pond full of frogs’ eggs? Maybe deep in the forest? But to their disappointment, they are just exploring outside the door. Yet, as they begin to search for insects, they find world-champion flyers, eaters, and weightlifters. And more tiny surprises at every turn!

With their Bompa at their side, they find a way to recognize the amazing feats and important role of all insects. . . even the annoying ones! 

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute, an evidence-based, non-profit organisation that stimulates debate and action in Canada on critical issues of nature and social justice, with emphasis on the climate and biodiversity crises and their solutions. 

Follow Qin Lang on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Qin Leng (@qinillustrations)

The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward ill. Karin Littlewood

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Feb 2023

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Set on the island of Sumatra in the rainforest which is the only place on Earth where rhinos, tigers, elephants and orangutans coexist in the wild, this is a powerful and wonderfully emotive picture book (the expressions on the faces of the young orangutans are particularly affecting). Nearly half the rainforest has been lost to development in recent years. The story graphically describes the reactions of an orangutan family to the destruction of their age-old home, but also shows how wildlife campaigners are bringing hope for the future.

Orangutan and her family live in a vast emerald forest, bursting with life. She teaches her babies what food to eat, how to swing through trees, how to build a sleeping nest. Life is good… until one day a monstrous machine tears Orangutan’s tree from the ground. The family have to leave the emerald forest — but where can they go to?

One day Orangutan heard a faint noise.
Hardly a noise at all – just a distant droning. Then there was a CRASH!
Birds scattered in the sky, screeching wildly.
Smoke seeped through the canopy…

Contains information Endnotes and draft pencil sketches on the endpapers.

Follow Karin Littlewood on Instagram:

And follow the author on Instagram too. This, her debut picture book, is word perfect:

Once Upon a Hillside by Angela McAllister ill. Chiara Fedele

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Angela McAllister’s seven original stories follow the changing landscape of lives on one hillside from the Stone Age to the present day.

Six thousand years ago, people first came to the hillside and a story began. A Neolithic girl, Roman twins, a herbalist’s daughter, an orphaned bird-scarer, an archaeologist’s niece, three children without a home. Each faced their troubles on that ancient downland. All found healing in the place that Granny Down calls home.

Wilderness, weather, history, archaeology and folklore infuse each tale. With gorgeous illustrations of the wildlife and surrounding landscape at different points in history, this glorious full-colour, gift book is a celebration of the enduring power of nature and lives well lived.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chiara Fedele (@chiaraillu)

Antarctica: The Melting Continent by Karen Romano Young ill. Angela Hsieh

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 Apr 2022

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Published by What on Earth Books, a UK-based children’s non-fiction publishing house founded in 2010 by world history author Christopher Lloyd and illustrator Andy Forshaw.

Antarctica – vast, cold and mysterious. This frozen continent is full of incredible stories. Discover incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes and adventurous scientists and explorers.

Join author Karen Romano Young on a trip across Antarctica  learning about how this special place is changing, and what it means for our planet. You’ll find out about some of the coolest creatures on earth above and below the ice as you meet emperor penguins, killer whales and elephant seals. Follow in the footsteps of brave explorers and learn about how scientists survive here  and what they do all day — from studying climate change to investigating ice cores almost a million years old to learning about the history and future of our planet.

sample page spread

Follow the illustrator on Instagram:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Angela Hsieh (@hisiheyah)

..................................................