Our Earth is more beautiful and more diverse than we can possibly conceive of. Oceans, rivers, forests, caves, deserts, skies and soil are home to extraordinary species from the tiny, dragon-like olm to the colossal sequoia tree. They may have surviv...
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Our Earth is more beautiful and more diverse than we can possibly conceive of. Oceans, rivers, forests, caves, deserts, skies and soil are home to extraordinary species from the tiny, dragon-like olm to the colossal sequoia tree. They may have survived for hundreds of thousands of years by adapting to unique environments, but their future remains far from certain.
This book is both a love letter to life on Earth and an urgent summons to protect all that is precious in our world. Written and beautifully illustrated by Beatrice Forshall.
Beatrice says: "Following my time as artist in residence with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, I spent three years writing and illustrating The Book of Vanishing Species, published by Bloomsbury. I would like to share the stories of the species within it with as many people as possible."
242 pages 265 x 180 mm
'Did you know that when you take a deep breath, half the oxygen that enters your lungs is made by plankton? That when a Koala gives birth, the joey is the size of an unshelled peanut? That orcas are not whales, but the largest species of dolphin? That the saguaro cacti flowers smell like overripe melons? In her absorbing new book, Beatrice Forshall celebrates the planet’s most mysterious creatures and plants and urges us to do all we can to protect them.'
'This wonderful book, with Beatrice Forshall’s superb engravings, serves to remind us of the wonder and beauty of some of the species that may disappear for ever unless we take action to save them – now and before it is too late’
Dr Jane Goodall
‘Bea Forshall’s images make the heart sing, but her beautiful, revelatory text also makes one weep. From dung beetles to lemurs, we may lose these extraordinary creatures. Forshall makes us fall in love with them, all over again. Let’s hope, to stir us into action, so these wonders don’t join the ranks of dodos and Tasmanian tigers’
Isabella Tree
‘Through her prose and illustrations, Forshall makes a passionate case for protecting each and every one of these species’
The Times
‘Forshall’s synthesis of artisanal craft, the artist’s eye and the sensibilities of an idealistic yet clear eyed environmentalist…is thrilling’
Sir Tim Smit
‘Beatrice draws you into the sublime wonder of the Brazil nut tree, snakes head fritillary or the albatross and then, with gentle frankness enlightens you on their plight. Somehow it left me feeling more motivated, not just devastated, which is a testament to the skill of the author’
Geetie Singh-Watson
‘Forshall might not have a scientific background, but her poetic, human perspective and unique artistry are incredibly moving… The Book of Vanishing Species is both a celebration of our world and an urgent call to action’
BBC Wildlife Magazine
‘As well as a beautiful celebration, this book is a call to arms’
Chloe Ashby
‘Our disappearing flora and fauna are lovingly described and wittily illustrated in Beatrice Forshall’s homage to what we are about to lose’
Daunts Books
Sophie's comment
We were sent the video and the information about this book by Beatrice and it is a gorgeous book with beautiful illustrations, with a serious message, we hope you like it as much as we do, we fell in love with it.