Natural history (Children?s/Teenage) – The Bell Bookshop

Hello bugs

Emma — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that crickets have ears on their knees and that butterflies taste with their feet? And can you tell a bee from a wasp? Beautiful gallery-style pages showcase the fascinating world of insects, including ladybirds, beetles and bugs that glow in the dark. Fun off-the-page activity spreads include how to make a bug hotel and what to look for on a bug hunt.

With colourful illustrations and amazing facts, bug-based outdoor activities to enjoy and features on camouflage, mimicry, life in a beehive and metamorphosis, this little book will provide hours of pleasure, both indoors and out.

Be inspired to go outdoors and get up close with nature with this brand-new series from internationally bestselling illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. Also in the series: Hello Fungi, Hello Trees and Hello Fossils and Shells.

Whale

Emma — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

From a newborn calf to the biggest creature in the ocean, join Whale on this incredible journey. Follow the peep-through holes on every page to discover each stage of a whale’s early life.After a year of waiting, Whale is born. Baby Whale is already ENORMOUS but still has lots of growing to do. Whale stays close to mummy whale to drink lots of milk. On their long journey to colder waters Whale has lots to learn, like avoiding boats, how to call out to other whales and how to catch tasty krill to eat. Before long, it is time for Whale to set off on a long journey alone and start the cycle again. This beautifully illustrated book from the talented Maggie Li is the perfect introduction to a mammal life cycle for little readers – and the tactile pages are the perfect size for small hands!Collect the rest of the Little Life Cycle series with Pip, Drip, Bug, Frog and Bee.

Emperor of the ice

Emma — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

It’s April in Antarctica and, in places so remote that they can only be seen by satellites, lines of Emperor Penguins appear in search of the perfect ice for raising their chicks. A wise old Empress has returned to the ice at Halley Bay year after year; with the help of her mate, she works to protect her newly-laid egg against the bitter winter. But a changing climate is making the Antarctic Ocean warmer – winds are stronger and storms are fiercer…

With luminous illustrations and an introduction by climate scientist Dr Phil Trathan, this is the true story of how the Emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay was disrupted after the sea ice collapsed, and how it’s necessary to protect the environment so that these extraordinary survivors will continue to be found in the Antarctic for generations to come.

“Nicola Davies is one of the best children’s writers in the business.” Huffington Post

An animal a day

Emma — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A fascinating animal for every day of the year!

Dip in each day to discover a new animal to enjoy sharing with friends or family – make sure to find YOUR birthday animal!

Travel through the incredible ecosystems and habitats of our beautiful planet, and meet some of the most fascinating animals that call them home. Dive into the oceans to find whales and giant squid, journey across the icy poles with penguins and polar bears, race across the African savanna with lions and wildebeest – and so much more.

Each day’s entry is filled with fascinating facts – learn about completely new animals, and find out some incredible new sides to animals you might see often in everyday life.

This stunning book is packed with breathtaking illustrations to bring each animal to life. It also features information about conservation, and how we can protect endangered animals and the places they call home.

The ULTIMATE gift for animal lovers aged 6 and up.

The zog puppet book

Emma — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Help Zog as he tries his hardest to win a golden star!

Put Zog through his paces in this gorgeously interactive finger puppet book. Young children will love meeting Zog and his dragon friends and playing with the plush puppet in this fabulous new board book.

Help Zog learn how to roar, fly and breath fire before he faces the ultimate test – capturing a princess. This fun finger puppet format from superstar creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is perfect for fans of the original picture books.

Soft finger puppet pops through the book, prompting children to interact with the pages
Based on the bestselling book Zog by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog
Now an on-screen animated adventure shown on BBC

Storm dragon

Emma — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

“Watch out, dragons. We’re coming!”

Rain raps the windows. Wind rattles the doors. And off they go, grandchild and grandpa, down to the beach for a wild and wonderful adventure, looking for the Storm Dragon!

The observologist

Emma — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A highly illustrated, playful field guide for budding natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses.

Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet. An observologist knows that there are extraordinary things to be found in even the most ordinary places.

The Observologist puts over 100 small creatures and features of the natural world under the microscope, piquing our curiosity with only the most interesting facts. Subjects range from slugs, ants and seeds, fungi and flies through to bees and bird poop.

But this is no everyday catalogue of creatures. It is an antidote to boredom, an invitation out of the digital world and screentime, an encouragement to observe our environment, with care and curiosity, wherever we are.

Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science and funny stories in this unique, warm and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book for 7- to 11-year-olds and one to be treasured in the classroom.

Giselle Clarkson has a comics and conservation background. Through her unique sensibility you’ll find that once you start thinking small, there’s no limit to what you can notice-right under your nose.

The oak tree

Emma — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent tree!

A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an enormous oak tree!

As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree. Families dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow trunk!

The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles.

After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm – but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins all over again.

The tree’s magical life story is brought to life in Julia Donaldson’s rich, dramatic rhyme.
Victoria SandÃ¸y’s gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass by
Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the tree
This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees.
The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.
Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson and Victoria SandÃ¸y: “Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia’s heart: the power of children and song”

Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children’s books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children’s writer in Britain today.

Many of Julia Donaldson’s beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas.

Life

Emma — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

“While up in the air, warm and bright,
Feathery creatures with wings took flight.
Soaring high in the blissful breeze,
And deep in the wind whipped waves of the seas.”

From tiny dots of microscopic bacteria to enormous dinosaurs.
Through the Ice Ages and the gallop of evolution.
From cavemen to cars, discover how our world began.

Elli Woollard’s lyrical text is a pitch-perfect blend of storytelling, science and wonder. Life will fascinate and entertain the curious child, with Dorien Brouwers’ immersive artwork heightening the beauty and inspiring awe in readers young and old.