United States
£ GBP
An Illustrated Country Year is perfect for nature lovers and for everyone who enjoys spending time in the countryside. Dip into it at any time of year, especially before a walk or after day trips, and discover something new about the natural world. Informative and entertaining sections will enlighten you on the nature to be found each month, all illustrated in the author's beautiful watercolour and ink paintings. Discover what's flowering and what you might come across on a walk each month, and learn how to turn foraged finds from country strolls into something good to eat, or for you to get creative with.
Each month includes did you know features on some of our most interesting species of bird, plant and animal, helpful tips on how to improve your nature detective skills, as well as interesting snippets of country lore. Learn how to tell the difference between a frog and a toad, or how to easily deduce whether a discarded Goldfinch's shell hatched naturally or was eaten by a predator. Transform the finds from your country walks into jewellery or decorations for your home, and turn your foraged wild garlic or unexpected discoveries of brambles into pesto and blackberry vinegar. Celia Lewis reveals all this and lots more as she uncovers some of nature's secrets in her latest book.
Celia Lewis lives in the country and has always taken a great interest in nature. She delights in observing the passing year and recording her sightings in her artwork. She has won several prizes, including the 2005 Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour medal and the Royal Watercolour Society Winsor & Newton Prize 2009. Celia is the author and illustrator of Bloomsbury's beautiful and bestselling Illustrated Guide to... series of books on choosing and keeping chickens, pigs, and ducks and geese; her next title will be The Illustrated Guide to Cows in 2014.
" [...] beautifully illustrated by the author, and perfect to dip into before a walk to discover what's in flower and what to look out for."
– Country Homes & Interiors
"A delightful compendium of flora, fauna, folklore, crafts and recipes month by month"
– Country Life
"beautifully detailed [...] Thanks to her, I know what an oak-apple is, and can recognize a robin's pincusion. And thanks to Lewis's book, you will, too."
– Daily Mail
"Snippets of country folklore thread through this beautiful book, which is perfect for nature-lovers, cooks and crafters alike."
– Coast
"Beautifully illustrated [...] It takes you on a gentle amble through an idealised landscape"
– BBC Countryfile
"a wonderful book"
– BBC Wildlife
"A lovely book for adults that's ideal to share on outings with grandchildren."
– Choice Magazine
"a beautiful book [...] Nature's briliance is strickingly captured in some wonderfully vivd watercolours."
– Surrey Life
