Most Popular Books by Nicola Davies

Two renowned picture book creators team up for a captivating first look at animals around the world. Sometimes lyrical and sometimes humorous, the poems reveal fascinating facts about animals of every color, shape, size, and origin, from giant blue whales to bats as tiny as bumblebees. Full color.

“This tale is a sturdy one that is made even more emphatic by Davies’s terse writing style. The text is heightened in every way by Carlin’s outstanding mixed-media artwork.” — Booklist (starred review) On a mean street in a mean, broken city, a young girl tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. But the frail old woman says the thief can’t have it without giving something in return: the promise. It is the beginning of a journey that will change the girl’s life — and a chance to change the world, for good.

"A charming and informative story about a pipistrelle bat. . . . Offers vivid descriptions of the animal''s flight, its navigational skills, and the hunt for food." – School Library Journal Features an audio read-along! Night has fallen, and Bat awakens to find her evening meal. Follow her as she swoops into the shadows, shouting and flying, the echoes of her voice creating a sound picture of the world around her. When morning light creeps into the sky, Bat returns to the roost to feed her baby . . . and to rest until nighttime comes again. Bat loves the night! Back matter includes an index. A Common Core Text Exemplar

"Simple, lyrical words and bright, acrylic double-page pictures convey the astonishing facts about the Loggerhead sea turtle. . . . A powerful nature story for a young audience." —Booklist Far, far out at sea lives one of the world’s most mysterious creatures, the Loggerhead turtle. For thirty years she swims the oceans, wandering thousands of miles as she searches for food. Then, one summer night, she lands on a beach to lay her eggs—the very same beach where she herself was born. Nicola Davies’s lyrical text offers fascinating information about the journey of the tiny, endangered Loggerhead, while charming paintings by Jane Chapman vividly illustrate one turtle’s odyssey.

The blue whale is the biggest animal that has ever lived on Earth. This book is a very sensuous exploration of what a blue whale feels, sounds and smells like. There are descriptions and facts about a whale''s size, life-span, diet, babies and more.

Take a magical ride around the globe to see the wonders of a single moment in a story illuminating our precious and fragile natural world. Our planet is always turning. It may be midnight in London, but in different time zones other living things are waking up, ready to hunt or feed or fight. As the clock strikes twelve, two sisters are spirited away on a journey to glimpse, in the span of a moment, extraordinary biodiversity: a mother polar bear and her cubs hunting seals in Svalbard, tiny turtles in India following the moon toward the sea, and enormous whale sharks gulping plankton in the Philippines. Quietly profound, this glowing tribute to the natural world—and reminder of its fragility—blends accessible science, lyricism, sweeping artwork, and a call for climate awareness into an ideal companion book for Earth Day, or any wondrous day on Earth.

Follow a tiny hummingbird on its journey from Central America to Central Park in a captivating tale with exquisite illustrations echoing the creature’s jeweled tones. Tz''unun! Tz''unun! A buzz of wings, a flash of color . . . There’s a very special visitor in Granny’s garden. It’s a hummingbird! And it’s just about to begin its long migration, heading north to its nesting ground. Watch as it spreads joy to all who encounter it along its two-thousand-mile trek. In an engaging text sprinkled with facts, zoologist Nicola Davies introduces readers to this valiant bird, lighter than a nickel, while Jane Ray’s lush, intricate illustrations, accented in gold Pantone, highlight its jewel-like beauty. More details about hummingbirds, along with a bibliography and an index, are available at the end to budding ornithologists.

Kiku starts a new school in a strange new town. The children in her class are unfriendly towards her and refuse to include her. Kiku helps introduce the other children to the art of paper folding, creating many different kinds of flowers and introducing them to her culture, helping to transform the children''s attitude towards her and their vision of themselves and their own lives in this inspiring story.

Zoologist Nicola Davies merges a heart-pounding adventure with a conservation message triggered by a life-changing—and mind-changing—encounter. Manuela had imagined that killing a manatee would be like killing a very big fish, just more exciting. But when her father successfully harpoons one, leaving its baby orphaned, she finds that her feelings have changed. She vows to rescue the baby manatee and return it to the river. But she soon realizes what an enormous task she’s taken on. Will she be able to save the baby manatee—and protect him from being hunted in the future, too?

"The secrets of DNA, unpacked engagingly and accessibly." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Earth is full of life! All living things grow--plants, animals, and human beings. The way they grow, whether it be fast or slow, enormous or not so big, helps them survive. But growing is also about change: when people grow, they become more complicated and able to do more things, and they don''t have to think about it, because bodies come with instructions, or DNA. With simple, engaging language and expressive, child-friendly illustrations, Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the award-winning creators of Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes and Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth, provide an introduction to genetic code and how it relates to families to make us all both wonderfully unique and wholly connected to every living thing on Earth.

Take a lively look at the biology of plants on Earth--and their vast importance to our planet--with this wide-ranging exploration from an award-winning team. This tree doesn''t look like it''s doing very much. It just stands there in the sunlight, big and GREEN. But in fact, this tree is busy . . . On land and in the seas, green plants make the oxygen and food that many living things--including us--need to survive. Covering the evolution of the first plants billions of years ago, the secret, microscopic workings of trees and leaves today, and the role of plants in both creating fossil fuels and combating climate change, this book is a lush and fascinating introduction to the science of plants that goes well beyond photosynthesis. Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the acclaimed team behind Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes, Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth, and Grow: Secrets of Our DNA, have crafted a hopeful exploration of green life that will encourage readers to treasure the flora of Earth''s many ecosystems.

A heartfelt story of a father and a son, of grief and reconnection—and an albatross who needs to find her way home. Javier has a secret. On one of his father’s fishing trips, still hurting from the loss of his mother, he finds an albatross caught on the hooks—alive, if only barely. Against the orders of his father, who has been distant and disparaging, Javier smuggles the bird to safety and begins nursing it back to health. Every day the albatross accepts a little more food, but she shows no sign of wanting to use her wings. And if Javier''s new friend refuses to fly, how will she ever find her way home? From award-winning author Nicola Davies, with dramatic watercolors by Salvatore Rubbino evoking the setting of Chiloé Archipelago, off the coast of Chile, comes a stirring tale of loss, loneliness, and the power of empathy.

“Sutton’s spectacular illustrations . . . take the concept of ‘many’ to the extreme. . . . Davies has a keen sense of how to represent science for beginners.” —The Horn Book (starred review) The more we study the world around us, the more living things we discover every day. The planet is full of millions of species of plants, birds, animals, and microbes, and every single one—including us—is part of a big, beautiful, complicated pattern. When humans interfere with this pattern, by polluting the air and oceans or cutting down too many forests, animals and plants begin to disappear. What sort of world would it be if Earth went from having many types of living things to having just one? Now in paperback, this beautiful follow-up to the award-winning Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes delivers an inspiring look at the extraordinary diversity of Earth’s inhabitants—and the importance of their preservation.

"Pitch-perfect throughout, enthusiastic and confident. . . . Positively ducky all around." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) The young girl in this story may live in the city, but outside her window there’s a river full of mallard ducks! She hears them as soon as she wakes up, and on the way to school she sees them upside down bobbing for food. Interspersed with fun facts, her enthusiastic commentary about her feathered neighbors — what they look like, how they behave, where they nest, where they sleep — pairs swimmingly with cheerful watercolor illustrations. Back matter includes an index and a note about ducks.

Introduction of the world''s tiniest living organisms.

Michael, a young boy growing up on the tropical island of Rose Town, has been saving up for his own fishing boat for years. But when a terrible storm wrecks his home, Michael is forced to take a job working for a rich, mysterious newcomer named Spargo. Spargo asks Michael to search for one thing in the deep waters around Rose Town - whales . . .

Mae lleidr ifanc yn cipio bag hen wraig - ac yn cael ei gorfodi i wneud addewid ... dyma ddechrau taith a fydd yn newid popeth am byth.Wedi''i ysbrydoli gan y gred bod perthynas a natur yn hanfodol i bob bod dynol, a bod angen i ni nawr, yn fwy nag erioed, adnewyddu''r berthynas honno, stori darganfyddiad hudolus yw Yr Addewid, a fydd yn cyffwrdd a chalon a dychymyg pob darllenydd , hen ac ifanc.Awdur Nicola Davies, darlunydd Laura Carlin, addasiad Mererid Hopwood.

Maxy is upset when her parents'' farm is left without animals after a health scare, but she keeps their memory alive looking after her own herd of ''pretend cows''.With her mother having fallen ill during pregnancy, her father starts to keep chickens and Maxy comes to terms with the challenges of the new birth as she encourages a stubborn hen to lay eggs.Written by Nicola Davies with illustrations by Cathy Fisher.

"A wonderful immersion into the baby dolphin’s world." — Booklist Pop! Tail first, head last, Dolphin is born into the blue. Readers are invited to join the baby calf as he follows his mother and discovers all there is to know about life under the sea, from catching his first fish to learning how to say his name with his very own whistle. Nicola Davies’s lyrical narrative and intriguing facts are accompanied by Brita Granström’s colorful illustrations, pulsing with the energy and movement of dolphins in their natural habitat. Back matter includes a note about dolphins and an index.

Enter the dark Antarctic winter, where a pair of emperor penguins share the task of keeping their young one alive—and discover how fighting climate change is key to their survival. As harsh winter descends and other birds move toward warmth, lines of emperor penguins appear in search of the perfect ice for breeding and raising their chicks. One wise old empress finds her mate, and after laying a single, huge egg, heads to the stormy ocean to hunt for fish. For weeks, her mate must warm the egg in his pouch, huddling against blizzards and bitter cold. When his mate returns, the two take turns fishing and minding their newly hatched chick until it’s big enough to stay warm on its own. Luminously illustrated by Catherine Rayner, Nicola Davies’s engrossing narrative expands the focus from one emperor family to the plight of the breed as it faces displacement due to climate change. An afterword details the loss of many emperor chicks at Halley Bay after a storm broke up the ice under one of the largest penguin colonies—and encourages readers to help protect the environment so these extraordinary survivors will continue to be found in the Antarctic for generations to come.

A young girl changes her opinion about snakes as she learns more about them. Facutal information is presented side by side with the narrative.

From beachcombing to stargazing - and from watching squirrels, ducks and worms to making berry crumble or a winter bird feast - this book is a glorious reminder that the natural world is on our doorstep waiting to be discovered.

When a young boy moves from his home in Italy to Wales, the only thing that cheers him up are the racing pigeons that Mr. Evans keeps in a loft behind his house.

This gorgeously illustrated volume of poetry — sprinkled with facts and fun things to do — sows an early love for nature in all its beauty and wonder. The buzz of bees in summertime. The tracks of a bird in the winter snow. This beautiful book captures all the sights and sounds of a child’s interactions with nature, from planting acorns or biting into crisp apples to studying tide pools or lying back and watching the birds overhead. No matter what’s outside their windows — city streets or country meadows — kids will be inspired to explore the world around them. Written by award-winning author Nicola Davies and illustrated by Mark Hearld, a breathtaking new talent in children’s books, Outside Your Window is a stunning reminder that the natural world is on our doorstep waiting to be discovered.

I Can Beat Obesity! is not just about losing weight. It is about changing your psychological mindset and finding the drive and strength to improve your health. Having recovered from disordered eating herself, Nicola Davies recognises that beating obesity is not about fad diets and yo-yoing weight, but about your psychological motivation, confidence and skills to both lose weight and prevent relapse in the long term. The workbook style exercises will help you to develop key self-help tools for overcoming obesity. Focussing on building your emotional wellbeing in areas such as self-worth, confidence and working towards goals before making changes to diet, this will be an essential companion on the path to maintaining control of your weight and recovering your health and wellbeing.

Huge, magnificent, alone, the bear moves through the frozen Arctic. Powerful hunter, tender mother, gentle playmate - it shares this land of ice and snow with the Inuit people, who watch and learn from it. Come witness the majesty of Ice Bear.

Winner of the Margaret Mallett Picture Book Award, as part of the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards.From the award-winning team behind Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes comes Lots, a beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of biodiversity for younger readers. There are living things everywhere: the more we look, the more we find. There are creatures on the tops of the tallest jungle trees, at the bottom of the coldest oceans, even under the feathers of birds and in boiling volcanic pools. So how many different kinds are there? One, two, three ... lots! With beautiful words from Nicola Davies and exquisite illustrations by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children."Clear, direct, involving text, coupled with vivid, delicate illustrations make for a truly special work of non-fiction." - Guardian

Dog wasn''t really a dog, she was a human girl. But she was called Dog because that is what Uncle had always called her. Dog has never been outside of nasty Uncle''s pet shop. She sleeps in a box on a floor and has no idea what the world outside looks like. Then in a flurry of colour and feathers, Carlos the parrot arrives in the shop and her world as she knows it changes for ever. Managing to escape, Dog, Carlos and her best friend Esme the coati set out, in search of the same thing, somewhere they belong, somewhere they can call home. But the world is a huge, dangerous place, and they face danger and adventure at every turn . . . A spirit-soaring tale of adventure, friendship and belonging that will appeal to all lovers of Michael Morpurgo and Roald Dahl.

"Spectacular ... you can almost smell the surf between the pages." The Times "Five stars - if you take only one picture book away this summer, make it this." The TelegraphFrom Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the multi award-winning team behind Tiny and Lots, comes a spellbinding collection of poems about the oceans of the world and their shores. With this book, children can swim alongside dolphins and flying fish, pore over rockpools and sail from pole to pole and back, learning about everything from phosphorescence and plankton to manta rays and puffins - all in the comfort of their bedroom. Emily Sutton''s exquisite watercolours capture the breathless excitement of a child''s first glimpse of the sea, the majesty of ancient trading ships and the sheer, staggering wonder of the humpback whale. The perfect companion to international bestsellers A First Book of Nature and A First Book of Animals, this book is sure to enthral and inspire readers of all ages."Ravishing ... the perfect companion to a seaside holiday" The Sunday Times "Just dive in and enjoy" Sunday Express

Hippos navigate by it, sloths keep in touch through it, rabbits eat it... and most grown-ups prefer not to mention it at all However you look at it, poo is probably the most useful stuff on Earth. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and every animal has its own special sort. Find out what it''s for, where it goes, what we can learn from it and lots more.

Lift the flaps and find out how animals grow up in this fun-filled, stylish biology book. "What Will I Be?" is one of four simple novelty titles in the "Uncover and Discover" series that explores aspects of animal life for very young children.

Lift the flaps and find out which animals are alike in this fun-filled, stylish biology book. "Who''s Like Me?" is one of the four simple novelty titles in the "Uncover and Discover" series that explores aspects of animal life for very young children. "Who''s Like Me?" looks at animal classification in an enjoyable and friendly way with strong text from writer and biologist Nicola Davies accompanied by stunning artwork and simple lift-the-flap spreads.

"Davies’s chatty, funny text and Layton’s colorful illustrations will pull kids into this fascinating book about survival. . . . Exciting biology for the classroom." — Booklist (starred review) From the persevering emperor penguins of the South Pole to the brave bacteria inside bubbling volcanoes, from the hardy reptiles of the driest deserts to the squash-proof creatures of the deepest seabeds, animals have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill a human faster than you can say "coffin." Discover how they do it in this amazing natural history book from a celebrated team — and find out who wins the title of the toughest animal of them all. Back matter includes an index and a glossary.

Examines the causes and effects of global warming and offers opinions from leading scientists about what can be done to help the Earth.