-publications-
Animals: Book and Fact Cards
Young readers can encounter some of the world's most incredible animals in this book and card deck.
The comprehensive book of animal life combines jaw-dropping natural history photography with easy-to-read text. It delves into some of the latest scientific thinking, making it a reliable reference guide to animals large and small.
Together, the book and cards cover the wonders of the natural kingdom for young zoologists aged 8+.
Contributor alongside Dr. Michael Leach and author, Claudia Martin.
Reading age: 8-12 November 2022
Carnivores (Animal Explorers)
Some of the animal kingdom's smartest and most deadly hunters are mammals. This book introduces readers to many fascinating mammals that either hunt for their food or are related to animals that do. This carnivorous clan includes wolves, otters, and lions. Featuring fun facts and incredible photographs, readers will uncover the mongoose's closest relative, the reason bats hang upside down, and the function of a cat's whiskers.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Birds (Animal Explorers)
Dinosaurs may be extinct, but their closest relatives are still around...and they're everywhere. This book introduces readers to all kinds of birds, each full of unique characteristics and capabilities. As readers fly through the pages, they'll learn about the California condor, which is North America's largest bird with a wingspan of eleven feet. They'll get a look at the beautiful peacock, whose tail accounts for more than 60 percent of its body weight. Full of brightly coloured photographs and remarkable facts, this book guides readers as they navigate the interesting world of ornithology.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Reptiles and Amphibians (Animal Explorers)
Reptiles and amphibians are both cold-blooded vertebrates. This fun book introduces readers to a mix of both animal types. They'll learn how amphibians transform their gills into lungs through metamorphosis and discover salamanders, the only vertebrates that can regrow a lost leg or tail. Along with fun facts, students will read about snakes that can swallow their prey whole, turtles that hibernate by burying themselves in mud, and color-changing chameleons. Supplemented with colourful photographs, this age-appropriate book provides a comprehensive overview of reptiles and amphibians and their defining characteristics.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Omnivores and Herbivores (Animal Explorers)
Through intriguing fun facts, vibrant photographs, and age-appropriate text, readers will learn about the role food plays in the animal kingdom and understand why different animals have different feeding habits.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Insects and Minibeasts (Animal Explorers)
While small in size, insects and minibeasts are large in number. Beetles, which have four hundred thousand different species, make up a quarter of all animals on earth. As readers study spiders, leeches, scorpions, and more, they will learn about the foundation that insects provide for all other animals. They will learn just how important they are for the environment, too. Through lively images and easy-to-follow text, readers will encounter the world's strongest animal, an insect that can jump three feet, and other surprising creatures.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Children's Encyclopedia of Animals (Arcturus Children's Reference Library, 3)
Set off on an extraordinary guided tour of the animal kingdom, from the high-flying realm of the birds to the mysterious twilight world of deep-sea creatures.
This comprehensive visual encyclopedia brings together cutting-edge knowledge and awe-inspiring ideas with clarity and accuracy – plus exceptional wildlife photography.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach
Translated into 18 languages.
700+ five-star reviews on Amazon.
Reading age: 8+ June 2018
The Amazing Book of Animals
From lions and lizards to dogs and dolphins, this book brings together cutting-edge knowledge, awe-inspiring ideas, and eye-opening images.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 8+ November 2019
Creatures of the Ocean (Animal Explorers)
There's an entire world of creatures that inhabit the diverse seas. While the water can be a dangerous place to live, these creatures have developed clever defense mechanisms to distract predators, like the sea star, which can shed arms and then regrow them. Home to the only species where males gives birth, the ocean is full of seahorses and other interesting animals. Full of captivating photographs and engaging text, this book encourages readers to dive right in and learn about the complexity and beauty that is marine life.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reading age: 7-10 August 2019
Nature Explorer Guide for Kids
This fact-filled book in the Ultimate Guides series looks at the practical skills needed to track, observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitats.
The practical chapters cover bush-craft, equipment, safety, identification, and photography, focusing on a range of habitats such as woodland, urban, mountains and water. Q+A spreads give a glimpse into what it's like to be a professional photographer.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach
Translated into 7 languages.
Age-range: 7-13 August 2016
Wildlife Watcher Guide: Animal Tracking - Photography Skills - Fieldcraft - Safety - Footprint Indentification - Camera Traps - Making a Blind - Night-Time tracking
This book provides essential advice on how to track, observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat. Practical chapters are interspersed with Question and Answer spreads that give a glimpse into the adventures of real-life wildlife photographers.
Wildlife Watcher Guide is organized into seven chapters, beginning with how to prepare for an expedition and an introduction to tracking, such as looking for spoor (such as footprints, broken twigs, 'scat').
The six chapters that follow cover wilderness habitats -- woodland; savannah; rainforest; polar regions; underwater; and gardens, parks and cities -- and describe special considerations when exploring these areas.
Written with Dr. Michael Leach.
Reader age: 10-13 September 2016
A Natural History of Christmas: A Miscellany
The Natural History of Christmas explores how plants, animals and the environment feature strongly in Yuletide celebrations. Every winter we choose gifts, decorate the house, pick out a tree, stock the pantry, make cakes, puddings and pastries in preparation for Christmastide - but where do these customs come from?
Written with Dr. Michael Leach
October 2013
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AS EDITOR – Working with author and Guardian ‘Country Diarist’, Dr. Julie Armstrong
Walking the Celtic Wheel
Walking the Celtic Wheel is a bewitching memoir of rural life in a small, stone cottage in northwest France and an exploration of the cycles of the seasons. It reveals how the natural world guides Guardian ‘Country Diarist’, Julie Armstrong’s own spiritual journey.
Author: Julie Armstrong
Editor: Meriel Lland
January 2022
The Root and the Wing
The Root and the Wing is a collection of lyrical poetry and prose ‘sketches’, some of which first featured in shortened form in the ‘Country Diary’ column of The Guardian. It is a vibrant celebration of life rooted in place and people.
Author: Julie Armstrong
Editor: Meriel Lland
February 2021
The Magic of Wild Things
Part folk-poem, part eco-mystery, The Magic of Wild Things re-wilds our language of loss with words of promise for better times to come. It is a bewitching tale, one that stirs our senses, calling us back to kinship with the natural world and non-human creatures, honouring the interconnections of all life.
Author: Julie Armstrong
Editor: Meriel Lland
November 2020
AS INTERVIEWEE/FILM POET CONTRIBUTOR
The Poetics of Poetry Film: Film Poetry, Videopoetry, Lyric Voice, Reflection
Set to generate discussions in the field for years to come, The Poetics of Poetry Film is an encyclopedic work on the ever-evolving art of the poetry film.
Author: Sarah Tremlett - poetry filmmaker, writer, artist and arts journalist/theorist. Co-founder the first MIX conference and Liberated Words CIC, a poetry film organization.
Contributor/interviewee: Meriel Lland
May 2021
SELECTED NATURAL HISTORY JOURNALISM
Conserving Polar Bears
The feature “Conserving Polar Bears”; from World of Animals; April 2016; Issue 32 has been translated into French as "L'Ours Blanc en Danger" and published in Le Grand Guide Des Ours; Edition Oracom, pp 142-146
Primates of the Caribbean
A six-page spread from the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. The feature looks at the vervet monkeys of St Kitts - and their habit of stealing drinks from beach bars.
In search of an Icon
A four-page co-authored feature by Michael Leach and Meriel Lland, looking at current conservation efforts in Europe and North Africa to save the Northern Bald Ibis.
Photographs by Michael and Meriel.
A natural history of Christmas
A four-page co-authored feature for BBC Countryfile Magazine exploring how Yuletide customs are connected to the natural world. Illustrated by Angela Harding. This feature emerges from our best-selling book, A Natural History of Christmas.