Winner of the English 4-11 Picture Book Award non-fiction 4-7

Think of an invertebrate. Are you thinking of a spider? Well, you’re not wrong, but invertebrates are so much more! They include worms, snails, slugs, beetles and butterflies, and they can also be found deep in the sea as octopus, squid and more. Explore this world of bugs, mini-beasts and sea creatures in Nicola Davies’s latest Animal Surprises book. 

Books in the series:

• Animal Surprises
• Into the Blue
• The Word Bird
• The Secret of the Egg
• Invertebrates are Cool
• The Versatile Reptile

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include A First Book of Nature, Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale and the Silver Street Farm series. She graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats then worked in the BBC Nature History Unit. Underlying all Nicola's writing is the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship.

Abbie Cameron was raised on the farmlands of the West Country. Surrounded by nature, she developed a love and appreciation for all creatures great and small. Abbie studied Illustration at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, where she first met Nicola Davies. Her style is playful and inventive, sharing some of the tongue-in-cheek attitude and doodle-like style of other contemporary British illustrators. She employs the use of bright colours and texture, whilst playing with scale, composition and open space. The Word Bird, Animal Surprises and Into the Blue are Abbie’s first published books but she hopes to continue a career in picture book illustration. Other notable achievements include being Highly Commended in the Penguin Random House Design Awards 2014.

Winner of the English 4-11 Picture Book Award 2023 in the non-fiction 4-7 category

Longlisted for SLA's Information Book Awards 2023

'This is a fun children’s picture book introducing all sorts of invertebrates from bugs and slugs to butterflies and even an octopus!'  The Strawberry Post

'A book that’s likely to nurture children’s interest in the natural world and whet their appetites to get outdoors and explore.' Red Reading Hub

'This is a fun read aloud, packed with information for the tiniest of readers and budding scientists.' Milo and Gigi's Bookshelf

'This is a beautiful hybrid of magnificent non-fiction and rhyming picture book and I will be snapping up the whole series for my library!' Jenny Griffiths, The School Librarian

' If you are looking for a book which presents bite-sized facts in an engaging style using poetry as its vehicle, then here it is!' Carolyn Swain, Just Imagine

'This is a stunning book that encourages interest in the natural world and inspires children to explore their surroundings.’ English 4-11