Beebee, T. 1997. Frogs and Toads (British Natural History Series). Whittet Books, Totnes.
A joyous read about frogs and toads. What’s not to like?
Bradbury, K. 2019. Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything. Bloomsbury, London.
This will give you a solid foundation on which to build a wildlife garden.
Carson, R. 2000 (first published 1962). Silent Spring. Penguin, London.
Where this all began. Read it and weep.
Durrel, G. 2016 (first published 1956). My Family and Other Animals. Puffin, London.
Because we should all be more like Gerald.
Falk, S. 2018. Field Guide to Bees of Great Britain and Ireland. Bloomsbury, London.
Hands down the best field guide to bees there is.
Harrison, M. 2021. By Ash, Oak and Thorn. Chicken House, Frome.
Three little people set out on a journey to save themselves. A story for all of us.
Majerus, M. and Kearns, P. 1999. Ladybirds (Naturalists’ Handbook Series). Richmond Publishing, Totnes.
A great little book on the lives and species of ladybirds.
Monbiot, G. 2023. Regenesis: Feeding the World Without Destroying the Planet. Penguin, London.
This book is so important. It’s not written for the home grower but it has changed the way I grow my food.
Morris, P. 2015. Hedgehogs. Whittet Books, Totnes.
All you need to know about hedgehogs, in a really simple and engaging book.
Sladen, F. W. L. 2014 (first published 1912). The Humble-Bee: Its Life History and How to Domesticate It. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
I have all the bee books, and this is my favourite. A lovely bit of bumblebee history. Sladen writes of his time as a 16-year-old, travelling round Kent in his horse and trap, and digging up bumblebee nests to keep in his parlour. Considered the first in-depth study of bumblebees in Britain, it’s a must for anyone who loves bumblebees.
Tree, I. 2019. Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm. Bloomsbury, London.
The story of Knepp, one of the most hopeful places on the planet.