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Reading lists

8 books to inspire your next hobby

A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Collective Nouns

The 7th charming book from artist and ornithologist Matt Sewell

Artist and illustrator Matt Sewell has been described as the Banksy of the bird world. He has illustrated for the Guardian and Barbour, amongst many others, and exhibited in London, Manchester, New York, Tokyo and Paris. Matt is an avid ornithologist and regular contributor to the Caught by The River website. He lives in Shrewsbury with his partner and two children.

A charm of goldfinches, an ascension of larks, a school of dolphins, a cloud of bats, a murder of crows. All these and more are portrayed in this enchanting new book by much loved artist Matt Sewell, playing on the theme of collective nouns for animals. 
 
 Illustrated with Matt’s inimitable watercolours, and imbued with a love of his subjects that will resonate with people everywhere and of all ages, this book is a great gift for nature and art lovers. 
 
Accompanying each illustration is a playful, quirky description of each groups' personality that readers cannot help but smile at. Sewell's unique witty take on the subject, and delicately vivid illustrations make for a lovely addition to his collection of pocketable books.

Penguins and Other Sea Birds

A collection of 50 illustrated penguins and other sea birds from street-artist and ornithologist Matt Sewell

Artist and illustrator Matt Sewell has been described as the Banksy of the bird world. Matt works in a variety of media including T-shirts, posters, interiors, sculptures and walls. He has illustrated for the Guardian and Barbour, amongst many others; painted underpasses for the RSPB; and exhibited in London, Manchester, New York, Tokyo and Paris, as well as being an avid ornithologist and regular contributor to the Caught by The River website (he also designed their logo). He lives in Shrewsbury with his partner and two children.

Did you know... 
 
 The Galápagos Penguin's speckled markings make each of them as unique as a snowflake? 
 The Emperor Penguin weighs the same as a Labrador retriever? 
 The Adélie Penguin takes its name from the sweetheart of a Napoleonic naval captain turned explorer? 
 
 From tiny fairy penguins to the regal emperor penguin, street artist and ornithologist, Matt Sewell, illustrates one of the world’s favourite birds in this charming follow-up to Owls, Our Garden Birds, Our Songbirds and Our Woodland Birds. Matt captures the famously quirky characters of penguins through his unique and much-loved watercolours accompanied by whimsical descriptions. You'll discover everything you've ever wondered about this enigmatic bird and his feathered friends from across the globe.

Our British Birds

Spotting and Jotting Guide

Keep all of your jottings in check with Matt Sewell's stunning guide to our birds.

There is nothing better than spotting a bird you have never seen before, so here is a handy way of keeping all your jottings in check. In Matt Sewell's much-loved pop art style, and small enough to pop in your pocket, Our Garden Birds: Spotting and Jotting is the perfect accessory for bird-seekers and nature-lovers alike. Replicated in stunning watercolours and true-to-life, discover wild and wonderful birds from Greenfinches to Goldcrests, Blackcaps and Collared doves. So, grab your binoculars and start spotting and jotting your favourite feathered friends.

Our Most Enchanting Bird

Owls

A collection of 50 owls from street-artist, Matt Sewell.

In this beautiful follow-up to Our Garden Birds, Our Songbirds and Our Woodland Birds, street artist Matt Sewell captures the world’s most evocative bird: the owl. In his much-loved pop-art watercolours and accompanied with his whimsical descriptions, Matt Sewell expresses the individual characters of owls as never before. 
 
From tiny Elf Owls to huge Eagle Owls, from the mysterious creatures of the night to an impossibly fluffy baby owl, they are undoubtedly one of the world’s most intriguing feathered friends. These wise, magical birds are otherworldly in their striking colours and stature, and it's not just birdwatchers who are obsessed. With 50 hand-selected, hand-painted owls, this is a delightful gift which appeals to owl lovers, bird-watching enthusiasts, children, adults and art and design fans alike.

Our Woodland Birds

Britain’s most beloved woodland birds, charmingly illustrated by the Banksy of the bird world

Britain has some of the most beautiful woodland in the world, with some of the most beautiful inhabitants. All year round, the trees in forests, copses and wastelands offer our feathered friends food, shelter and a place to congregate and show-off. 
 
Now, in this beautiful follow-up to Our Garden Birds and Our Songbirds, street artist Matt Sewell captures Britain’s unique woodland life with his charming and distinctive illustrations. Featuring an array of enchanting scenes, from bramble-picking Blue Tits and a flight of Finches to a parliament of young Tawny Owls, Matt’s quirky, pop-art watercolours and whimsical descriptions express the individual characters of our woodland birds as never before. A delightful gift, this book will appeal to bird-watching enthusiasts, children, adults and art and design fans alike.

A songbird for every week of the year

Our Songbirds

Beloved British songbirds drawn by artist Matt Sewell, with descriptions of their birdsongs

Matt Sewell, author of the bestselling Our Garden Birds (Ebury, 2012), has illustrated for The Guardian, Big Issue, and the V&amp;A amongst many others; painted and exhibited in London, Manchester, New York, Tokyo and Paris, as well as being an avid ornithologist and regular contributor to the Caught by the River website. He lives in Shrewsbury with his partner and young daughter.

In this beautiful follow-up to 2012's hit, Our Garden Birds, street artist Matt Sewell offers more watercolours and quirky descriptions of British songbirds. 
 
In Matt's world, the peewit sings the blues, and the bittern fills his neck 'like a tweed pair of bellows'. Distinctive and enchanting, with a songbird for each week of the year, this delightful gift book will appeal to birders, children and adults, and art and design fans alike.

Matt Sewell

How to bring our favourite birds back from the brink of extinction

The Banksy of The Bird World shares simple wisdom to help the birds we love to thrive. 
 
Bestselling author and illustrator, Matt Sewell, is back with his most inspirational book yet. Save Our Birds is a celebration of our endangered birds and call to arms for bird-lovers of all ages to help protect them. 
 
Matt has created new, beautiful watercolour artworks of Britain's most loved birds, and their habitats, all of which are sadly on the Red List - the respected, international guide to endangered species. Sewell provides a wealth of practical advice on how we can protect them from extinction. Explore cities, coastlands, woodlands and farms, leaving no habitat unexplored around the British Isles. 
 
From bird-friendly window boxes to community projects, discover the steps you can take, actions both big and small, to save our birds.

Matt Sewell

Books by Matt Sewell

Articles featuring Matt Sewell

8 books to inspire your next hobby

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