Secret Stories of Nature

A Field Guide to Uncover Our Planet's Past

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Pub Date 3 Oct 2023 | Archive Date 14 Sep 2023

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Description

In every part of the globe, in every pocket of the sea, in ancient ground beneath your feet, up tall mountains you can’t see, in stones, in plants, in birds and beasts, lie nature’s secret stories.
 
This beautiful field-guide explores the histories and mysteries hidden in the wild, just waiting to be shared.
 
Readers are invited on a journey around our wonderful world, through wild forests, over mountains high, to the bottom of our oceans and the earth beneath us. Each chapter investigates a different environment, and within, the pages tell the secret stories of the animals, plants, and natural phenomena of these habitats. Some secrets tell us of links between species, or unusual adaptations and features, others tell us how nature has evolved, and many hold the keys to understanding our planet’s past.
 
Readers will come away with a wealth of knowledge and discover how looking at nature today can help us understand and unlock mysteries from long ago, from bygone weather to the dinosaurs.
 
They’ll learn how resin and rock can preserve long-lost plants and creatures, how the rings inside coral skeletons can reveal weather patterns from the distant past, how layers of the seabed can indicate a previous mass extinction occurred, how ice can trap gases and tell us the make-up of our ancient atmosphere, and much more.
 
The text also touches on how these secrets are often uncovered through scientific research, observation, fossil records, as well as using modern inventions and techniques like carbon dating.
 
Spreads at the back of the book encourage readers to search for secrets in nature close to home and explore how we can all help protect the animals, plants and natural features of today so we can continue to enjoy and learn from them.
 
The fascinating information is brought to life with meticulously detailed, vintage-style artwork from Vasilisa Romanenko, making this book a true treasure trove for the whole family to enjoy

In every part of the globe, in every pocket of the sea, in ancient ground beneath your feet, up tall mountains you can’t see, in stones, in plants, in birds and beasts, lie nature’s secret stories.
 
...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780711280366
PRICE US$24.99 (USD)
PAGES 64

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 39 members


Featured Reviews

Wow. The illustrations (by Vasilisa Romanenko) in this children’s book on the natural world are absolutely phenomenal. They could be framed works of art. They also provide further context for the fantastic range of info provided, in bite-size morsels, on the wide variety of living things on earth, as well as the earth itself, from mountains to the oceans to the skies. A great way to draw young learners in to learning more about the world around them.

Thank you Saskia Gwinn, Quarto Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

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What a beautiful book! Children love nothing more than books about animals and this book is simply stunning. I wish the publisher or illustrator would offer prints for sale

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Oh such a gorgeous book and packed full of interesting insights. The illustrations are frame-worthy. The style and writing would probably better suit an older child. Or any grown up interested in nature!

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This was a gorgeously laid out, illustrated, and fascinating book. My only potential issue with this is that the font may be a little small and a little too fancy to read for some people. Otherwise, this was a really nice book to read and a wonderful introduction into the history of the natural world.

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The information, illustrations and layout in this book is amazing! I would highly recommend it as it is beautifully created and interesting for all ages.

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Secret Stories of Nature is a gorgeous book! Beautiful biological illustrations accompany interesting facts, or "secrets" about various habitats and some of the animals who live there. I reviewed this title electronically and can't wait to see it printed! Posing the information as secret stories that nature it waiting to tell us is a fun and engaging way of sharing non-fiction information. Near the end, there's a section called "searching for secrets" which encourages the reader to stop and look closely at the nature around them to find the hidden treasures that are all around us. There is a glossary in the back matter. This is a great addition to any collection and I hope to have it in our library once published!

#SecretStoriesofNature #NetGalley

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What a whimsical treasure! I can't wait to show this to my nature-loving 6yo. It feels a bit like a field journal, with beautiful illustrations and informative paragraphs spread across each page. I love that there is also a glossary in the back with definitions for words that can be tricky to explain to my inquisitive kiddo!

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Oh, this was an absolutely beautiful book. The illustrations were gorgeous and so rich in detail. This is a perfect book for both children and adults that want to learn more about the natural world and its secrets.

I will definitely be recommending this to my library.

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I absolutely love this style of book, and Saskia Gwinn did not disappoint! This book is well-organized, detailed, captivating, full of gorgeous illustrations and interesting information about our world. I would purchase this book for friends and family of all ages. A book that can guarantee you’ll learn something new!

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Wow 🤩 the The illustrations (by Vasilisa Romanenko are amazing, a great book for kids to learn about animals and nature would highly recommend.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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This is a beautiful book that covers many aspects of nature. My 11 year old found the pictures mesmerizing but felt some of the facts would be better suited for about 3rd grade. I liked the flow from ocean to sky to underfoot. I’m going to buy a copy for my nephew.

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A beautiful encyclopaedia filled with fascinating “secrets” and facts about the origins of the many creatures inhabiting our planet, told as if whispered to the reader. I learned something new with every page of this book! Loved every second of my reading.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for the eARC of this book!

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If you like reading all of the signs and plaques at the zoo or natural history museum, then this book is for you!

Adults and kids alike will learn fascinating facts while viewing brilliant images!

There’s nothing more intriguing then being in on a secret, so why not be in on the secrets of nature!

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This gorgeous keepsake explores hidden histories and mysteries of the wild.

Publishing in OCTOBER, readers will enjoy vintage-style illustrations and uncover magical secrets of the natural world.

I enjoyed diving into this treasure of a book which appeals to naturalists of all-ages. It was a fascinating reminder of the wonder and history of our beautiful planet.

Thank you @NetGalley and @wideeyededitions for the eARC!

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This book is a delightful present for any young explorer in your life. The illustrations within are nothing short of magnificent, ensuring that both you and your young reader will be thoroughly captivated. As I delved into its pages, I found myself uncovering a treasure trove of fascinating facts that I had never known before! Did you know that ants can hear through their feet? Or that whales have ears and once walked the land? I was so engrossed in these intriguing tidbits that I couldn't resist sharing them with my husband. Now, all I'm waiting for is someone to ask me about the moon..."

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A beautifully illustrated book exploring some of the world's most ancient creatures, and what they can tell us about the history of our planet.

Taking the reader across the globe through a wide range of habitats, getting to know the animals, plants, fungi and geology that can be found on Earth.

This is a treasure trove full of nature's wonders. A perfect book for any child interested in ecology & natural history.

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