This author masterfully blends adventurous elements with a profound insight into the human psyche. His prose is filled with suspense and unexpected twists that draw the reader into a whirlwind of events. With a keen sense of detail and a touch of humor, he portrays characters who are both fragile and strong. His works explore the limits of human resilience and the longing for freedom in harsh conditions.
The story follows four small water voles as they undertake a challenging journey along the Great River, searching for a safe place to call home. Along the way, they face various dangers and adventures that test their resilience and friendship. The narrative is complemented by beautiful black and white illustrations by Simon Mendez, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere of their quest.
'A necessary nature book, with prose as sharp as prickles' John Lewis-Stempel In poll after poll hedgehogs come out top as Britain's favourite mammal. And yet their numbers have been in freefall, estimated to have halved in less than twenty years. Why? Who or what is responsible for the disappearance of so many thousands of hedgehogs in recent decades? Hopeful and informative, in a story full of twists, turns and uncomfortable truths, conservationist Tom Moorhouse explores the trade-offs that exist between humans and wildlife. And, drawing on insights from other hedgehog experts, he hands readers the toolkit necessary to help bring our prickly friends back.
Water voles are small, brownish, bewhiskered and charming. Made famous by 'Ratty' in The Wind in the Willows, once they were a ubiquitous part of our waterways. They were a totem of our rivers. Now, however, they are nearly gone. This is their story, and the story of a conservationist with a wild hope: that he could bring them back. Tom Moorhouse spent eleven years beside rivers, fens, canals, lakes and streams, researching British wildlife. Quite a lot of it tried to bite him. He studied four main species - two native and endangered, two invasive and endangering - beginning with water voles. He wanted to solve their conservation problems. He wanted to put things right. This book is about whether it worked, and what he learnt - and about what those lessons mean, not just for water voles but for all the world's wildlife. It is a book for anyone who has watched ripples spread on lazy waters, and wondered what moves beneath. Or who has waited in quiet hope for a rustle in the reeds, the munch of a stem, or the patter of unseen paws.
Sylvan und seine drei Geschwister leben am Fluss. Sie sind Schermäuse und gehören zum Volk der River Singers, für die der Fluss eine Art Gott ist, der ihr Leben bestimmt. Als Sylvans Mutter von einem unbekannten schrecklichen Tier getötet wird, bleibt den jungen Schermäusen nichts anderes übrig, als sich ein neues Territorium zu suchen. Ihre weite Reise am Fluss entlang führt sie durch viele Gefahren, denn nicht nur Eulen, Füchse und Otter sind ihre natürlichen Feinde, sondern auch andere Weibchen, die Wirbel des Flusses - und immer wieder ist ihnen das unbekannte Tier auf den Fersen. Doch auf der Suche nach einem neuen Zuhause lernen die jungen Schermäuse viel über sich selbst, über ihre Stärken und Schwächen, über die Werte von Vertrauen, Freunden und Familie - und über allem liegt die Frage, ob der Fluss tatsächlich ihr Leben bestimmen kann.