Really lovely book full of bright pictures and a curated list of nature's wonders. It's a book you can do in and out of a you move through the year, or simply just read it as you like.

I really enjoyed the beautiful photography in this book along with the facts as all of the seasons are explored and the changes in nature.
A joy to look through and savour.

Some of my favourite books growing up were the Ladybird book series of ‘What to Look for in Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter’. This book reminded me of those as it has a similar feel and could very much be seen as the adult version with photographs rather than illustrations. Going through each of the series starting with Spring, the book documents different changes that take place and what to spot. Whether it be a particular animal, bird, plant, insect or sensory change there is much variety to be found in the pages. Normally in these books I found the photographs drown out the writing, however that was not the case here. Adams writes quite poetically at times and makes the natural world come to life. Each page was jam packed full of information with links being drawn between different seasonal changes and the effect this has on all living things. The photographs too are stunning and really showed how beautiful nature is, even some parts of it we might not normally think of. A real gem of a book!

Unfortunately this was not available to download on the kindle. I imagine because it's illustrated or photographic? I will be looking out for it when it's published as I very much would love to read it.

Excellent little book with fantastic writing and incredible pictures, I loved this book to pieces, I actually ordered a physical copy because of how well written and how easy it was to read

BV readers have long been fans of our wildife writer Jane Adams, and the power of her words. Her column is a favourite of many as she gently shows us the secrets, beauty (and humour) held within the Dorset landscape, always encouraging us to see something new in its wild inhabitants. This month sees the launch of her first book, published in association with the National Trust.
As if taking us with her on one of her walks, Jane wanders gently through the year, her evocative writing sitting alongside her beautiful photography. No sooner are you trying to recall what an oak apple gall* looks like than, there is a handy picture.
*... used in the production of iron gall ink. This water-resistant and permanent ink was used by Leonardo da Vinci and the scholars of the Dead Sea scrolls.

A small problem
I’ll be honest, there is one issue with this book. It is impossible just to flick through it. I expected a rather obvious walk through the seasons (“spring wanders from south to north at a leisurely pace of one to two kilometres an hour”), filled with things that I, as a keen walker and nature lover, already knew. Instead I’m still here, half an hour later, enjoying cockchafer names (kittywitch, billywitch, mitchamador, snartlegog, humbur, bummer...) and the fact that “in 1320, exasperated with the damage cockchafers were causing, a court ordered the insects to be exiled to an area of cordoned-off woodland. Unsurprisingly, the beetles didn’t comply.”
Jane’s book is so much more than seasonal saunters. It’s a reminder to pay attention to the very smallest of details. In an always-busy modern world, it is a pause, a way to feel those ever-more important connections to nature, no matter where we are, no matter how small they may be
“... experiencing them reminds us nature isn’t something separate or out of reach. It’s here, now, entwined throughout our lives. Sometimes, though, we forget ... we can become engrossed in, and exhausted by, the modern world and the pressures that come with it. We forget to go in search of shooting stars in the winter skies, or listen for the garden robin’s serenade whilst putting out the bins.”
After one read, this book is a firm favourite I will return to again and again. I will give it to others. It’s such a wonderful celebration of so many small, apparently insignificant facets of our English countryside, and it is packed with constant nuggets of delight.
“In October and November, jays begin to hide acorns.
Not just a few beakfuls, but thousands upon thousands – each jay stuffing as many as 5,000 acorns into holes they have dug in the ground.”
They constantly make me want to go and tell someone.
So here I am.
Nature’s Wonders (£15) is available locally at Winstone’s in Sherborne, Folde in Shaftesbury, Gullivers in Wimborne, Little Toller in Beaminster, plus all good online bookshops.

Loved it! Great pictures, informative texts. An excellent book that I strongly recommend.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This is a lovely little book, with Jane taking you through a year in nature, highlighting things to look out for, from the spectacular to the miniscule. It's really accessible writing (each piece is only 2 or 3 pages long, which I loved) which encourages an interest and passion in nature, as well as providing plenty of interesting facts along the way. Interspersed through the writing is beautiful photography, showcasing some of the UK's nature wonders.

Thanks to the publisher for my advanced copy

A book that influences you to stop, slow down and smell the daisies. Take a look around you at all the seasons have to offer and notice and enjoy nature as it’s finest.

The emotive and descriptive language in this was great, and really had me reliving seasons through the pages (and coupled with the series of stunning photos to accompany also helped in the feeling of the books immersion).

Each of the chapters is centred around Spring, summer, autumn and winter, with the accompanying text telling you what you can look out for and some information about what you find. From Foxgloves in summer, to blue tits in spring, autumns bounty and first frosts in winter. There’s plenty to learn from this small but mighty little book on natures beauty!

What a delightful book! A walk through the seasons with beautiful photography and lots of information to enjoy! This would make a lovely gift for a nature lover.