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Pocket Observology: A Field Guide by Giselle Clarkson

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 2 Oct 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798348042424

See also:
Omnibird [An ACHUKA Book of the Year 2025]
The Observologist [ACHUKA Book of the Day 26 Sep 2023]

A little larger than pocket-sized (a touch bigger than a fiction paperback) but considerably smaller than the original Observologist title (see above), this is fantastically user-friendly. With a weather-proof jacket, it contains both new content and material adapted from previous titles. 

And ACHUKA simply LOVES it. Working as both illustrator and writer, Clarkson has complete control of her material and an instinctive feel for presentation.

This pocket guide is a useful tool and fun reminder of how to look at the world around you with care and close observation every day.

Use this guide to identify whether you’ve found a bee or wasp, centipede or millipede, moth or butterfly. Compare shapes of seeds, leaves, and feathers to deduce their origin. Notice snail trails, and make discoveries by turning over a leaf. Learn how to observe—listen, look, record, and collect. With its how-to guides, comic illustrations, weatherproof cover, and built-in, useful tools—such as a ruler, key, and quick access sections—this handy guide will enliven every expedition.

After poring over Giselle Clarkson’s rich, oversized books indoors, every observologist and omnibirder can slip this guide in their pocket and set out on small scientific outings every day.

You can follow Giselle Clarkson on

Fish Are Friends by Jules Howard ill. Gosia Herba

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 28 Jul 2026

Publisher: Wide Eyed
ISBN: 9780711296923

See also these other titles illustrated by Gosia Herba (who drew 729 fish for this book):
Invented By Animals [ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 May 2026]
 No One Is Home [ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 May 2025]
Powered By Plants [ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Aug 2022]

“Funny, engaging and genuinely informative, this is a book that respects a child’s curiosity and gives it plenty to work with.” FennecAndFriends
“Zoologist, Jules Howard’s writing style is gently humorous as are Gosia Herba’s illustrations making the book very approachable for young readers to absorb a wealth of fascinating information almost without noticing.” RedReadingHub
“Prepare an afternoon (or several) to dive deep into this appealing and accessible carousel of sea creatures.” SLJ

ACHUKA is a big fan of Gosia Herba’s  style and she has illustrated this non-fiction title from Wide Eyed with a lot of verve.

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. 

Follow Gosia Herba on

Invented by Animals by Christiane Dorion ill. Gosia Herba

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 May 2026

Publisher: Wide Eyed, Quarto Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781805702283

Also illustrated by Gosia Herba:
No One Is Home by Mikolaj Pa [ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 May 2025]
Powered By Plants by Clive Gifford [ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Aug 2022]

Now in paperback. First published in 2021. A Blue Peter Book Awards 2022 winner.
  
Humans may think they’re the ultimate inventors, but animals have been solving problems and creating ingenious designs for millions of years. From super-speed swimmers to masters of disguise, nature’s inventors have inspired some of the world’s most amazing technologies – and this book reveals their secrets. 
 
The book includes: 

  • Brilliant animal innovations that have shaped human inventions, from shark skin swimsuits to bird-inspired bullet trains. 
  • Mind-blowing adaptations like gecko feet that stick without glue, butterfly wings that shimmer without pigment and termite mounds that inspired eco-friendly architecture. 
  • Fascinating science explained in a fun, accessible way for young readers. 
  • Stunning illustrations that bring the inventions to life. 

Check out the snail who has invented a house that stays cool inside even in the desert and take a closer look at the eagle whose super-zoom vision has inspired the invention of the world’s tiniest and most powerful cameras. Every animal – and their invention – is a marvel in this unique non-fiction blend of science, technology and wildlife. 

Follow Gosia Herba on

The book has been translated into many languages:

Don’t Call Me an Insect! by Charlotte Guillain ill. Sally Agar

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ACHUKA Book ion the Day 20 Apr 2026

Publisher: Quarto Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781836008439

This is an excellent book for any young child curious about creepy-crawlies. The author creates an inviting rhyming hook to the introduction of each creature that is NOT an insect and the illustrator has managed to mix appealing visuals with anatomical accuracy.

Buy it for all budding zoologists.

Join young explorers Charlie and Bumble on a bug hunt, But all the creatures they find insist that they are NOT insects!  
 
You’ll be introduced to spiders, centipedes, woodlice and more until FINALLY they find some insects. They also find a surprising creature that doesn’t look like an insect – but is it . . .? 
 
Part of the ‘Don’t Call Me a . . .’ picture book series which turns science on its head with exciting adventure stories that bust common myths, fact-checked by experts. Each book follows a curious child and their toy as they journey through space, the ocean, the forest and even prehistoric times – only to discover that things aren’t always what they seem! 
 
Each book wraps up with a fun fact file, making it a great way for kids to explore science, nature and the animal kingdom – all in an engaging, giftable format.  
 
With vibrant illustrations and plenty of fascinating facts, this series is a perfect introduction to early STEM concepts – a must-have for curious young minds!  
 
Also available in the series: Don’t Call Me a Dinosaur!, Don’t Call Me a Star!, Don’t Call Me a Fish!

You can follow Sally Agar on

Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature by AJ Wood & Mike Jolley ill. Owen Davey

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 14 Apr 2026

Publisher: Wide Eyed
ISBN: 9781805702207

See also illustrated by Owen Davey:
Zoom Out Natural World [ACHUKA Book of the Day 23 Jul 2025}
Fanatical About Frogs [ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 May 2023]
Curious About Crocodiles [ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Jul 2021]

“For a more comprehensive discussion of the world’s profuse creatures and their ways and ecosystems….with chic illustrations by Owen Davey….[and] packed with short, informative paragraphs by Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley.”–Wall Street Journal
“An excellent resource to use in school or a hugely enjoyable book to have in a child’s home collection.” BfK
“Here is a museum for your lap, a museum for the home, the classroom, the library, a world of knowledge and fascination at your fingertips, a world beckoning you in and waiting to be explored.” Armadillo Magazine
“A perfect introduction to the mysteries of taxonomy and the natural world, culminating in a clarion call to preserve it.” Guardian
“A must buy for the family bookshelf, the school or college library; in fact for any organisation that cares about life and the interconnectedness of everything.” Red Reading Hub
“The attention to detail is riveting, filled with wide-ranging, in-depth content and beautiful production value.” NFU Countryside
“Stunningly illustrated and designed in quite an adult way. It features a sophisticated language, terminology and visual style, and so will probably appeal to older children who are already wildlife enthusiasts.” BookTrust
“There are dozens of beautiful nature books on the market, but this is stand-out: focussing on how and why animals look, behave and live as they do, it’s both information rich and beautifully illustrated.” Huffington Post

This is a breathtakingly good non-fiction title about the natural world, presented in the form of double spread colour-coded charts: yellow for habitats and environments; orange for plant and animal species; and blue for animal behaviour and adaptations. And it is so good to see it reissued ten years after its original publication.

Compiled by non-fiction experts. Amanda Wood was one of the founding directors of Templar and its principle publisher for over thirty years. Mike Jolley also worked for Templar, eventually becoming its art director.

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style.

Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species and adaptations.

Celebrate the extraordinary resourcefulness and resilience of the natural world with amazing facts about:

  • Habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Migrations, from the wildebeest of Africa to the red crabs of Christmas Island
  • All types of camouflage, from predator-dazing zebra stripes to the fur of the Artic fox, which changes to white in winter to match the snow
  • Life in the rainforest, the ‘lungs of our planet’
  • All sorts of seeds and their variety of ingenious designs
  • Life cycles of creatures, from butterflies to the curious axolotl 

A must-have title for all home libraries.

Follow Owen Davey on , where you will discover that he is also a game creator:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Owen Davey Games (@owendaveygames)

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

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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

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Sam Hume (@sampumahume)

Frank is a Butterfly by Alex Latimer

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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

Zoom Out Natural World: Discover 12 Iconic Animals and Their Incredible Ecosystems by Owen Davey

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 23 Jul 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Owen Davey (@owendaveydraws)

Meet some of our planet’s most iconic animals and discover their roles in our ecosystems.

From polar bears to penguins, salmon to solitary bees, tigers to turtles — meet the world’s most notable animals up close and discover fascinating details about each of these intriguing species. Then turn the page to zoom out and explore their incredible ecosystems!

  • Developed in collaboration with a team of WWF scientists and conservationists, Zoom Out: Natural World is a factually accurate and scientifically based glimpse into the planet’s wildlife habitats.
  • Gorgeous illustrations from award-winning illustrator Owen Davey offer stylish representations of striking animals and their lush habitats.

Featuring conservation success stories that combat climate anxiety and emphasise that small changes can make big waves.

 

See also:
Curious Crocodiles [ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Jul 2021]

 

 

The Incredible 3D Bug Hunt by Peggy Nille

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 2 May 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

Join Little Ladybird and friends as they head off on a journey through an exciting world populated by beetles, spiders, butterflies and many more colourful little creatures. Clever 3D glasses will offer young readers a joyful and dynamic hunt among the jungle and its inhabitants!

Little Ladybird is bored, so she decides to go and see the world and make new friends. She meets some colourful beetles along the way and is rescued from a big bird by some mantises in a tropical forest. There’s no stopping Little Ladybird and her new friends as they meet spiders, butterflies, frogs and other little creatures, each more beautiful and fascinating than the last. Little Ladybird soon realises that the world is full of wonders: ‘Nature really is an artist!’

Peggy Nille is a French artist/illustrator. You can follow her on

 

 
 
 
 
 
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Une publication partagée par Autrice dessinatrice art (@peggynille)

Artwork from another of her books, The Island With Birds (L’Ile Aux Oiseaux)

Are Wolves Afraid of the Dark? by Huw Lewis Jones ill. Sam Caldwell

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 22 Aug 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

For many people, wolves are the stuff of nightmares and horror films, but the reality is that they’re among some of the most vulnerable wild animals on our planet.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Thames & Hudson Children’s (@thamesandhudsonchildrens)

By following field guide Huw Lewis Jones and nature illustrator Sam Caldwell into the wild, readers will meet subspecies of grey wolf living in forests throughout Europe, North America and China, as well as red wolves in North Carolina and other members of the canid family, including coyotes. Along the way, aspiring naturalists will discover the difference between a ‘timber’ and a ‘tundra’ wolf, what traits wild wolves share with domestic dogs, and why wolf poo is so important to scientists!

Through entertaining and informative text and expressive illustrations, the stereotype of the ‘big, bad wolf’ passed down to us through fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood is challenged. We are shown that wolves are intelligent, sensitive creatures with far more to fear from us than we have from them.

Follow the author on :

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Dr Huw Lewis-Jones (@huwlewisjones)

Follow the illustrator on :

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Sam Caldwell (@samcaldwelldraws)