All posts by Sarah Gledhill

‘African Safari’ by Francis-John White

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‘African Safari’ by Francis-John White is a join-in-the action children’s picture book adventure.

Join in with the four friends as they go on an adventurous walk through the African bush.

This action-packed, energetic tale invites the reader, and audience, to act the story out with the fearless four, as they encounter a variety of wildlife and challenges.

Rollicking good entertainment! Perfect for burning off the little fizz balls’ excess energy!

With simple language and loads of action, we hope that even those reluctant to dive into the adventure of reading, will be won over to the idea that books can be fun. With little details throughout the pictures to engage observation skills and ‘The Cast’ depicted at the end, with conservation status and classification, there is something to appeal to a variety of developing interests and imaginations. So, get ready to walk, run, jump and swim with the four friends… We do hope that you will enjoy your adventure!

available to order through https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/african-safari

Insect week, from the 19th to the 25th June 2023.

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Their World, in our hands. Do no harm.

Our world in their ‘hands’.

‘tis the week to celebrate all the #LittleThingsThatRunTheWorld!

You are not a lazy gardener, you’re a bumblebee and baby butterfly buddy!

Be glad of the busy, healthy plants with lace patterned leaves – there will be butterflies and moths when those caterpillars grow up.  It’s that basic circle of life / balance of nature.

Caterpillars = butterflies and moths. Slugs, snails and earthworms make the composting work. Putting poisons down, so that you don’t have lace patterned leaves, starts a ripple that spreads far and wide. Butterflies, bees, ladybirds, hedgehogs, birds … all are early victims. Chemical companies get richer, you get poorer and the natural world dies. So sad.

“Allis The Shad Who Wouldn’t Give Up” by Angela Gall

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The latest adventures of ‘The Pen’ and the newest pen-pal and book buddy!

Launched on the 8th June 2023, World Oceans Day, in Plymouth UK.

A special book this, for a special and rare fish, written by Angela Gall and published by Natural England.

The Allis Shad start life up in the gravel beds of the Tamar River. They then make their way down river to the sea off Plymouth Sound. Later they swim back up the river to their home base, where they themselves in turn lay their eggs.

It is a long and challenging journey, through many different marine and river habitats, and this book helps children (and their grown-ups!) understand the challenges and how we can assist.

It was a delight to collaborate with Angela Gall to produce her book.

Angela is a senior marine adviser in Natural England’s Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly Area Team and her knowledge of the reefs, seagrass beds, the estuary and the Tamar river – and their inhabitants, formed the solid base for the story and the illustrations. The marvellous people around her so generously shared their knowledge, advice, photos and videos. With the added perspective gleaned from virtual earth maps, I spend a glorious time (virtually) swimming with the fishes, through anemone reefs and sponges, seagrass, salt marshes, mussel beds and the Tamar river.

Then it was time to relay these wonders on through hand and pen on their own journey into the pages of this book.

All proceeds from sales of this book go to Westcountry Rivers Trust to fund conservation work.

For more on the book and links to where to buy the book, from Westcountry Rivers Trust, go to the ‘Author, Author’ page on this site. (See top of page)