Divided by continent, and with a handy map opener, you can explore some of the wildest, weirdest and cutest animals that call Earth home. Each animal profile includes the Latin name, type, diet, size, weight, conservation status, curious facts about the species, and the collective noun or baby name for that animal.

Meet a slug that resembles a banana and a fuzzball mammal with 90 strands of hair per follicle. Marvel at an ant that burns like fire, a pig-beaver-hippo-cow-camel hybrid that eats its own poop, and a creature with the shortest lifespan on Earth (five minutes!). Discover that a  group of bears is called a sloth and a baby lizard is called a hatchling.
 
Wildlife Compendium of the World also features sections on animal types and environments,  animal rights, a word glossary and the conservation status of each animal. With a lustrous textured cover, this book is a wonderful resource and the perfect gift for children and adults alike.

Throughout the year, the world is plump with astonishing festivals and Plume loves them all! Journey alongside this adventurous, colour-loving penguin as he jumps aboard the Albatross Express to take part in a range of enchanting events across the globe.  

Stare in wonder at the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Scotland and the freaky Day of Masquerade in Costa Rica. Get messy at the squelchy Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea or La Tomatina tomato battle in Spain. Throw a rainbow of colour during Holi in India or enjoy a celebration of gifts, sweets and kindness at Eid al-Fitr in Algeria.    

A year of wonder and excitement culminates in Plume’s favourite festival of them all – Christmas. Will his penguin friends join him for the celebrations?

Plume is not your typical Antarctic penguin. Sporting a bright yellow plume on the top of his head, Plume is bored of black and white, of shuffling around and snoozing on icebergs. He much prefers to cook, read, knit and sky dive. He craves colour, adventure, excitement! He wants to seize the world he’s discovered in the books of his fantastical, glacier library (the largest in the Southern Hemisphere).

Plume’s great hope is to grow the hearts and minds of his penguin friends. Through his travels, children will engage with themes such as friendship, acceptance, understanding and the wellbeing of our planet. Plume: World Explorer is truly a book series for our times.

For ages 4-7 years.