Combining beautiful storytelling, emotional and environmental education and illustrious illustrations, this year’s longlist for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation is a whirlwind of wildlife magic, from the journey of an Artic fox, to a blobfish at the bottom of the ocean, to detective quests. There’s something for every child and parent here to inspire you to connect with nature and its myriad of stories, life lessons, and adventures.
The Earth Book, Hannah Alice
What happens deep under the Earth’s surface? How do volcanoes form? And how does our planet stay a healthy place for us to live? With labelled acetate diagrams – from outer space to super soil and from weather systems to the water cycle, The Earth Book is an exciting way to explore all the amazing things our planet does.
The Light in Everything, Katya Balen, illustrated by Sydney Smith
Tom is still quiet and timid, even though his dad has been gone for nearly two years now. Zofia has a raging storm that makes her want to fight the whole world until she gets what she wants. And what she wants is for scaredy-cat Tom to get out of her life. Tom hates loud, unpredictable Zofia just as much, but he’s moving into Zofia’s house. Because his mum and Zofia’s dad are in love… and they’re having a baby. Tom and Zofia both wish the stupid baby had never happened. But then Tom’s mum gets ill, and it begins to look horribly like their wish might come true…
Billy Conker’s Nature-Spotting Adventure, written and illustrated by Conor Busuttil
‘Billy Conker is a young conservationist. He loves visiting different places around the world, discovering all the amazing animals and plants there and finding out how he can help them. Join Billy as he explores ponds and forests, oceans and coral reefs, deserts, prairies, cities and more!’
Protecting the Planet: The Season of Giraffes, Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton
In this powerful picture-book, bestselling children’s author Nicola Davies writes in collaboration with conservationist Kisilu Musya to explain how one of the world’s best-loved animals has dealt with the challenges of climate change. Giraffes were once a part of daily life in Niger – but after severe droughts one year, when the rains eventually return, the giraffes are nowhere to be seen. However, as award-winning artist Emily Sutton’s magnificent illustrations capture, The Season of Giraffes ultimately has a hopeful, celebratory story to share … and an important point to make about how human beings can change for the better.
Blobfish, Olaf Falafel
Deep, deep, deep under the sea … lives Blobfish! Blobfish loves telling jokes, although he has no one to share them with, so he sets off on an adventure to find a friend. But sometimes friends turn up in the most unexpected places, even at the bottom of the ocean. This heartfelt and humorous story gently introduces children to themes of friendship, belonging and the issue of plastics in our oceans.
A Friend to Nature, Laura Knowles, illustrated by Rebecca
‘This is my pledge, my promise, my vow,
Lasting forever, starting now:
I’ll be a friend to nature.’
An illustrated book celebrating the natural world and ways to appreciate it, filled with practical activities and ideas to help wildlife and the environment on your doorstep and worldwide.
Leila and the Blue Fox, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, illustrated by Tom de Freston
She was very tired.
She lay down, her soft head on her soft paws.
The sunset licked her face.
The snow covered her like a blanket.
Fox wakes, and begins to walk. She crosses ice and snow, over mountains and across frozen oceans, encountering bears and birds beneath the endless daylight of an Arctic summer, navigating a world that is vast, wild and wondrous. Meanwhile, Leila embarks on a journey of her own – finding her way to the mother who left her. On a breathtaking journey across the sea, Leila rediscovers herself and the mother she thought she’d lost, with help from a determined little fox.
Spark, M. G. Leonard 
When Jack discovers that someone in Briddvale is taking pot shots at local pets with a pellet gun, he is determined that The Twitchers will get to the bottom of it. But The Twitchers are more interested in the news that a rare and endangered bearded vulture has been spotted heading for Aves Wood. Determined to prove himself a detective, Jack sets off to investigate, only to find himself in deep water… Friendless and alone, Jack must use all his bravery and detective skills to not only stop a terrible crime, one that could put the bearded vulture in danger, but to prove to his friends that he’s a deserving member of The Twitchers.
A Wild Child’s Book of Birds, Dara McAnulty
This beautifully illustrated book by young naturalist Dara McAnulty takes readers through a year in the life of the birds in Britain and Ireland. It is divided into four seasonal sections; find out what birds do in each season while learning about birdsong, beaks, nesting, the science of flight, migration, attracting birds to your garden, and recording what you see.
The Zebra’s Great Escape, Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Mink doesn’t believe in rules. She loves running wild and free. So, when a zebra appears in the square where she lives and she finds out that his parents have been captured by the evil Mr Spit, she knows that it’s up to her to help. So begins a grand adventure to rescue a whole menagerie of animals – an adventure that will take all of Mink’s courage and determination.
Grandpa and the Kingfisher, Anna Wilson, illustrated by Sarah Massini
Life-affirming and lyrical, this beautiful picture book celebrates the awesome power of nature, while gently introducing young children to the concept of life and death. As spring turns to summer and autumn to winter, the kingfishers raise a family on the riverbank, while Grandpa teaches his grandchild about the power of nature and the circle of life.
Archie’s Apple, Hannah Shuckburgh, illustrated by Octavia Mackenzie
Have you ever dreamt of making a discovery? Inspired by a true story, Archie’s Apple tells of how one boy discovers a new variety of apple while out walking, and hits the headlines around the world.
This enchanting, intricate picture book by Hannah Shuckburgh and Octavia Mackenzie, illustrated with original watercolours, takes you on a journey through Archie’s discovery to the brink of world-wide fame and back again, and has much to tell us about the wild power of nature, and the value of noticing.