Lynne Boddy Knihy

"Not quite animals and not quite plants, the mysterious kingdom of fungi is full of secret goings on Inhabiting a whole kingdom of their own, fungi can be found in every ecosystem. They carpet the forest floor, and different types of fungi decompose matter, feed plants, and even change animals' behaviour. Their beautiful mushrooms come in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Fungal stories include the greening of the Earth, when fungi helped plants first grow on land, and the mass destruction of crops through fungal disease. From the villains of the upcoming bananageddon to plastic-eating eco-warriors, there are over 1.5 million known fungus species, and a huge, unknown number of unnamed "dark" types. Some are even found inside animals - helpful fungi break down food in animal guts, but others take over their hosts' bodies. This book of fabulous fungi will intrigue and amaze young readers, and open their eyes to the fungi thriving all around them"--Publisher's description.

A fresh look at the natural world, as seen through the eyes of a poet-scientist. Longlisted for the Laurel Prize 2022. "In this vivid, wide-ranging and reflexively-aware collection, Sarah Watkinson is a poet who is also a scientist, rather than a scientist writing poetry. She brings knowledge and experience, professional and personal, to her poetry and demonstrates mastery of her medium. She addresses important and profound themes but always with a light touch - and humour is never far away. This is an impressive first collection - and a model of informed nature writing." Steve Ely, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Huddersfield "In this collection, Sarah Watkinson provides a unique glimpse of the natural world, seen through the eyes of a poet-scientist. Most of us are simply incapable of putting into words how we really feel about the animals and plants we study. Thank goodness we have Sarah to do it for us." Lindsay Turnbull, Director of Undergraduate Biology Teaching, University of Oxford