'50 Things to do in the Wild' Book

I loved illustrating this book, written by Richard Skrein and published by Pavilion Books. The 4th instalment in Pavilion's adventure series, it’s a lovely illustrated guide, with handy tips on wilderness survival skills, bushcraft and lots of inspiration how to connect with nature. Learn how to make arrows, build natural shelters, or how to enjoy forest bathing (inspired by the Japanese tradition of ‘shinrin-yoku’). I particularly enjoyed learning how to read nature, including reading clouds, the sun and tree. Many of these skills can also be done in your garden, local park or backyard for some urban nature connecting!

‘This trusty guide teaches you all the essential skills you need to survive in the wild, from building a shelter to making a fire. Forest school practitioner Richard Skrein shares his expertise and enthusiasm for the outdoors through easy-to-understand instructions, illustrated with captivating drawings by Maria Nilsson. The book is divided into four main chapters reflecting the elemental skill sets:

Earth – this chapter focuses on toolcraft, foraging and natural resources. Learn how to make a bow, arrows and a mallet; identify essential plants and trees and their medicinal properties.
Air – this chapter focuses on shelters, knots, navigation and the sky. Learn the secrets of selecting the perfect wilderness camp; master knots and lashings; and discover how to read nature’s ‘GPS’.
Water – this chapter focuses on finding, drinking and using water, fishing and rafts. Learn how to purify water for drinking; suss out the skills needed to fashion a fishing rod; and make a sail for your handmade raft.
Fire – this chapter focuses on making and using fire and cooking food. Master the art of building a fire, set your own signal fire and build a Swedish fire log.

The book also explains the items you need to ensure your rucksack is kitted out with the best equipment for exploring. With extra tips and a rundown of useful tools, you’ll find everything you need to get out there, have an adventure and survive the great outdoors.’

Order now from all the usual places. Enjoy!

50 Things to See in the Sky

Out now! ‘50 Things to see in the Sky’ is one of my absolute favourites of the books I have illustrated. I frequently use it myself; as reference for stargazing adventures, when camping, on holiday, or when peeking at the sky from my loft in London. It is published by Pavilion and written by the brilliant Sarah Barker. Sarah is an accomplished astrophysicist and award-winning documentary film producer. She has collaborated with NASA, National Geographic, the Science Channel, Animal Planet, and the BBC.

As Sarah writes, 'the sky isn't the limit-the sky has no limit.'"

Enjoy!

A beautifully presented, practical gift guide to 50 sights in the skies above us complete with a glow-in-the dark front cover. Explained with fascinating, easy-to-understand commentary from astrophysicist and science communicator, Sarah Barker, and illustrated throughout with captivating drawings by Maria Nilsson, each guide helps you locate an incredible sight.

The book is divided into three main sections and whether you use the naked eye, a telescope, or fall into a black hole of online research, you ll discover the limitless wonder of the skies from otherworldly phenomena on Earth like sun dogs, to planets, moons, stars, lunar craters and galaxy clusters.

Naked Eye: Learn how navigators travelled in the past by finding the North Star; say hello to our astronauts and learn how to spot the International Space Station; see a red supergiant star (Betelgeuse); and find out more about solar eclipses.

Further Afield: Find out more about the next closest galaxy, Andromeda; learn about the discovery of Saturn s ears (or rings!); spot an alien storm that s as big as the Earth; and track Little Green Men and ice volcanoes.

Far, Far Away: Learn how baby stars are created by the Pillars of Creation; marvel at the Hubble Deep Field; and unearth the brightest things in our universe, quasars.

The book also includes advice on ideal conditions for observing the stars, telescopes and binoculars, and navigating the skies. With extra tips and a rundown of useful tools, you ll find everything you need to get out there and look up!