YOUNG multi-award-winning naturalist and activist Dara McAnulty has just released his new children’s book, ‘Wild Child – A Journey Through Nature’ – a glorious family-friendly guide to encourage everyone to get outside and explore the natural world.

Wild Child begins in Dara’s own back garden and he takes his readers to hills, woods and ponds, pointing out his own favourite animals, flora and fauna.

He explains all elements of the environment that fascinated him at a younger age and which continue to do so now. The book includes explanations of migration and metamorphosis, categorisation in the animal kingdom, and some fantastic facts on native birds, animals and plants.

Each section finishes with an activity for readers to do when they get home, such as to plant wild flowers, make a bird feeder, try pond dipping or build a vivarium.

Dara ends the book with advice for young conservationists and instructions on how to follow the Countryside Code when out and about.

Dara, who is originally from Co. Fermanagh, has received many awards for his conservation work, including from BBC Springwatch, The Daily Mirror and Birdwatch magazine.

He is the youngest-ever recipient of the RSPC Medal for Conservation, and is also the winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize and the Non-Fiction prize at the Books are My Bag 2020 Readers Awards, and the British Book Awards for his book, ‘Diary of a Young Naturalist’.

He now lives with his family and Rosie, a rescue greyhound, at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, from where he tweets with the tag, @NaturalistDara.

Dara’s new book, ‘Wild Child’, is beautifully illustrated by Barry Falls, who grew up in rural Northern Ireland where he spent a lot of time drawing pictures and writing stories to go with them. He is also a commercial illustrator, who has received multiple awards for his work.

On his new book, Dara said: “Writing for younger children is a very special kind of conversation you have with your inner self. No word is wasted and each one carries such weight.

“As a teenage author, it is such a privilege to be able to invite children into a world which is and always has been, theirs to explore and learn from. I really hope that many children and parents will gain a different perspective and a new, multi-sensory way of looking at everyday nature on, or near, our doorsteps.”

The book was published on Thursday, July 8, and this evening at 6pm (Thursday, July 15) Dara will be appearing online at a virtual event – hosted by Waterstones – with one of his childhood heroes, BBC presenter Chris Packham.

In conversation with Chris, Dara will talk about his new book and there will be an opportunity for viewers to ask Dara their own questions. For further information, see: https://tinyurl.com/h3jypez.