Raynor Winn’s most inspiring nature writing books

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Reading lists

Raynor Winn’s favourite nature writing books

20 Powerful First Lines To Get You Hooked On A Story

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Children's reading lists

18 powerful first lines to get you hooked on a story

Tarka the Otter

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Henry Williamson is regarded by many as Britain's finest nature writer. He was born in London in 1895 but his work is rooted in the north Devon countryside where he went to live after being deeply affected by his experiences in the First World War. He published some fifty books, a mix of country stories, most famously Tarka the Otter and Salar the Salmon, and autobiographical fiction, including the fifteen-volume novel cycle, A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight. He died in 1977. 
 
Jeremy Gavron is the author of five books, including The Last Elephant: An African Quest, and three novels, Moon, The Book of Israel, which won the Encore Award, and An Acre of Barren Ground.

In the wild there is no safety. The otter cub Tarka grows up with his mother and sisters, learning to swim, catch fish - and to fear the cry of the hunter and the flash of the metal trap. Soon he must fend for himself, travelling through rivers, woods, moors, ponds and out to sea, sometimes with the female otters White-tip and Greymuzzle, always on the run. Eventually, chased by a pack of hounds, he meets his nemesis, the fearsome dog Deadlock, and must fight for his life.

Henry Williamson

Annabel Large

The classic story of an otter living in the Devonshire countryside which captures the feel of life in the wild as seen through the otter's own eyes. 
Tarka is born in Owlery Holt, near Canal Bridge on the River Torridge, where he grows up with his mother and sisters, learning to swim and catch fish, and to beware the hunters' cry. His life is one of adventure and play, but soon he must fend for himself, travelling along streams and rivers to the open sea, sometimes with female otters White-tip and Greymuzzle. Always on the run, Tarka has many close shaves until he finally meets his nemesis, the fearsome hound Deadlock.

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A series of children's modern classic novels by renowned 20th century children's writers. All the titles in this series have the A Puffin Book logo, contemporary-style covers, and child-friendly endnotes.

Henry Williamson

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Raynor Winn’s favourite nature writing books

18 powerful first lines to get you hooked on a story

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