Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

PublicationStatus

Brand

Format

AgeRange

Series

Imprint

CategoryLabel

Catherine Brinkworth

Kat Sadler

Jon Hunter

Jenny Laville

Nicky Roberts

Sue Perkins presents the 'Show and Tell' series that celebrates the natural world in alll its weird and wonderful eccentricity 
 
The world of wildlife is full of surprising and magical quirks - and Sue Perkins - comedian, broadcaster and Just a Minute host - is on a mission to discover them all. In this fantastic series, recorded at ZSL London Zoo and the Eden Project, she's joined by a diverse group of comedians and natural history experts for some entertaining sessions of 'Show and Tell'. 
 
Her special guests all bring along their amazing objects from the wild world and the stories that go with them - sparking lively, enlightening and hilarious discussion. There are also fun games and challenges, and in the episodes not recorded during lockdown, we hear from members of the public and staff as they share their own intriguing items, fascinating facts and amusing anecdotes. 
 
Among the celebrities taking part are zoologists Lucy Cooke and Billy Heaney, naturalist Nick Baker, actress Sally Phillips, and comedians Dave Gorman, Felicity Ward, Jessica Fostekew, Lucy Porter, Sindhu Vee, Desiree Burch, Josie Long and Shaparak Khorsandi. Their show and tell delights include a porcupine's spine, the jaw of a tiger shark, the fossilised eardrum of a whale, a beaver's anal gland, the feather of a lesbian albatross - and a head of broccoli from Tesco... And in an extended Christmas Special, actor Stephen Mangan helps Sue make sense of the gifts brought to her by presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan and ethnobotanist James Wong - including reindeers, robins, turtle doves, holly and partridges. 
 
Find out why geckos have dispensed with the patriarchy, why menopausal orcas are so aspirational, why male redback spiders somersault during mating, how ergot could have caused the Salem Witch Trials, how the giant water lily changed the face of modern architecture - and more. You'll learn about our planet's astonishing flora and fauna, while at the same time having a giggle - so gather round the nature table and prepare to be amazed... 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Sue Perkins 
Written by Catherine Brinkworth, Kat Sadler, Jon Hunter, Jenny Laville and Nicky Roberts 
Music by Ben Mirin 
Sound Recordist &amp; Editor: Jerry Peal 
Additional sounds provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology 
Produced by Simon Nicholls 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Sue Perkins: Nature Table

Series 1-4 of the BBC Radio 4 Comedy Show

Lionel Kelleway

Brett Westwood

Sarah Pitt

Joanna Pinnock

Trai Anfield

Chris Sperring

Paul Evans

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Wildlife presenter Brett Westwood revisits selected highlights from the Living World archive 
 
Since 1968, the BBC's iconic Living World has been introducing listeners to the best natural history Britain has to offer. Its veteran presenters have criss-crossed the country in all weathers and through all terrains, in search of remarkable species and extraordinary stories. 
 
Introduced and updated by Brett Westwood, these classic archive programmes are hosted by Lionel Kelleway, Trai Anfield, Chris Sperring, Paul Evans, Peter France, Joanna Pinnock, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Sarah Pitt and Brett himself. Each show is filmed on location, in places ranging from Dartmoor to the Celtic rainforest, and features a guest naturalist eager to share their expertise with the presenters and us. 
 
Together, they uncover an array of natural wonders, including the elegant black-tailed godwit, the enigmatic glow worm and the industrious mason bee that makes its nest in a snail shell. They also hunt for adders in Loch Lomond, experience the sights and sounds of a Sika deer rut and a starling eruption, witness the small bands of Red Admiral butterflies flying in from the sea and find that night time is the right time for mountain hares. 
 
Immersive, inviting and informative, this specially curated collection will provide fascinating insight into Britain's wonderful wildlife, and inspire you to seek out your own encounters with nature. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Nest Finder of Dartmoor 11 June 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mark Lawrence 
Adders of Loch Lomond 18 June 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with Chris McInerny 
A Shell Nesting Bee 2 July 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with John Walters 
Glow Worms 9 July 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Robin Scagell 
Waxcap Grasslands 24 September 2017 
Presented by Paul Evans with Dr Gareth Griffiths and Bruce Langridge 
The Late Arrivals 8 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Richard Fox 
Sika Deer 22 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Dr Anita Diaz 
Godwits 17 December 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Pete Potts 
Ancient Holly 24 December 2017 
Presented by Joanna Pinnock with Sara Bellis and Carl Pickup 
Ponds in Winter 31 December 2017 
Presented by Miranda Krestovnikoff with Jeremy Biggs 
Mountain Hares 7 January 2018 
Presented by Sarah Pitt with Derek Yaldon 
The Snowdrop 4 March 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Christine Skelmesdale 
A Starling Eruption 11 March 2018 
Presented by Trai Anfield and Simon Clarke 
Essex Geese 18 March 2018 
Presented by Peter France with Graeme Underwood and Chris Tyas 
The Celtic Rainforest 25 March 2018 
Presented by Paul Evans with Ray Woods 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Living World: Through the Seasons

A BBC Radio 4 nature collection

David Attenborough

Collected together for the very first time, this is the complete Series 1 and 2 of Life Stories, written and presented by Sir David Attenborough. 
 
One of the nation's most popular presenters, Sir David examines 40 marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. 
 
What was Sir David's first pet? Which animal would he most like to be? How did he track down a giant earthworm? Why does he respect rats? And what did he do when confronted by a ten-foot-long reptile? 
 
His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on topics as diverse as the sloth, monstrous flowers, the platypus, dragons, the fire salamander, the coelacanth, the dodo, bird's-nest soup and the large blue butterfly. So listen to these stories to find out the real reason why animals sing, the story behind a 150-million-year-old feather, and what it is about snakes that really unnerves Sir David. 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

David Attenborough's Life Stories

The Complete Collection

Peter France

Wildlife presenter Brett Westwood revisits selected highlights from the Living World archive 
 
Since 1968, the BBC's iconic Living World has been introducing listeners to the best natural history Britain has to offer. Its veteran presenters have criss-crossed the country in all weathers and through all terrains, in search of remarkable species and extraordinary stories. 
 
Introduced and updated by Brett Westwood, these classic archive programmes are hosted by Lionel Kelleway, Trai Anfield, Chris Sperring, Paul Evans, Peter France, Joanna Pinnock, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Sarah Pitt and Brett himself. Each show is filmed on location, in places ranging from Dartmoor to the Celtic rainforest, and features a guest naturalist eager to share their expertise with the presenters and us. 
 
Together, they uncover an array of natural wonders, including the elegant black-tailed godwit, the enigmatic glow worm and the industrious mason bee that makes its nest in a snail shell. They also hunt for adders in Loch Lomond, experience the sights and sounds of a Sika deer rut and a starling eruption, witness the small bands of Red Admiral butterflies flying in from the sea and find that night time is the right time for mountain hares. 
 
Immersive, inviting and informative, this specially curated collection will provide fascinating insight into Britain's wonderful wildlife, and inspire you to seek out your own encounters with nature. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Nest Finder of Dartmoor 11 June 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mark Lawrence 
Adders of Loch Lomond 18 June 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with Chris McInerny 
A Shell Nesting Bee 2 July 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with John Walters 
Glow Worms 9 July 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Robin Scagell 
Waxcap Grasslands 24 September 2017 
Presented by Paul Evans with Dr Gareth Griffiths and Bruce Langridge 
The Late Arrivals 8 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Richard Fox 
Sika Deer 22 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Dr Anita Diaz 
Godwits 17 December 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Pete Potts 
Ancient Holly 24 December 2017 
Presented by Joanna Pinnock with Sara Bellis and Carl Pickup 
Ponds in Winter 31 December 2017 
Presented by Miranda Krestovnikoff with Jeremy Biggs 
Mountain Hares 7 January 2018 
Presented by Sarah Pitt with Derek Yaldon 
The Snowdrop 4 March 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Christine Skelmesdale 
A Starling Eruption 11 March 2018 
Presented by Trai Anfield and Simon Clarke 
Essex Geese 18 March 2018 
Presented by Peter France with Graeme Underwood and Chris Tyas 
The Celtic Rainforest 25 March 2018 
Presented by Paul Evans with Ray Woods 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Brett Westwood’s Living World from the Archives

A BBC Radio 4 nature series

Will Young

Dermot O’Leary

Sue Perkins

Monty Don

Chris Packham

Bird lovers including Will Young, Samuel West, Dermot O'Leary, Greta Scacchi and Sue Perkins introduce us to their favourite birds - plus, Alison Steadman presents The Twelve Tweets of Christmas 
 
Since 2013, Tweet of the Day has been a daily delight for early risers, with its 90 seconds of beautiful birdsong and fascinating ornithological stories. But what of the people who tune in to this avian chorus? In this collection, we bring to the airwaves the conversational voices of an array of wildlife enthusiasts, all eager to recount their encounters with birds - among them 'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig, writers Joe Harkness, Amy Liptrot, Melissa Harrison and Mark Cocker, Springwatch host Lindsey Chapman and the staff at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, the RSPB, BirdLife International and the British Trust for Ornithology. Together, they guide us through the year, from May to March, and introduce us to the birds that have inspired them. 
 
We also hear from some unexpected celebrity sources, who share stories of the birds that catch their eyes - and their ears. Will Young tells us about seeing a Woodland Kingfisher as a child in South Africa; Sue Perkins recalls coming face to face with a Great Horned Owl and Greta Scacchi reveals her fondness for the magnificent Goldfinch. 
 
Other famous names include Samuel West, who counts the turkey-like Capercaillie and the dapper, white-bibbed Dipper among his ten picks; and Dermot O'Leary, whose five choices include 'the Alsatian of the skies', the Greater Black-Backed Gull. Jimi Goodwin, the lead singer in Doves, swerves his band's titular bird in favour of the Cuckoo and the Mallard; while musician Fyfe Dangerfield celebrates the two birds that gave his bands their names - Guillemots and Gannets - along with eight others, and uses his own birdsong recordings to experiment in music. 
 
Also featured is The Twelve Tweets of Christmas, in which Alison Steadman provides a selection of festive editions inspired by the well-known carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Maggie Ayre, Miles Warde, Tom Bonnett, Eliza Lomas, Mark Ward, Karen Gregor, Tim Dee, Sarah Blunt and Andrew Dawes 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Tweet of the Day

A Year of Bird Lovers

Award-winning wildlife presenter Brett Westwood explores our relationship with mammals, and their impact on human culture and society 
 
For as long as humans have existed, animals have got under our skin, enthralling us with their wildness, enriching our lives and influencing art, literature, science and religion. And we feel perhaps the deepest connection with mammals, as we too are members of this same vast group. In these engrossing episodes from Radio 4's landmark series, Natural Histories, Brett Westwood tells the stories of 10 of the most mesmerising mammals, illuminating the often surprising ways they have shaped society. 
 
Looking at our closest relatives, monkeys and apes, he discovers how they reflect our humanity, and how, from King Kong to the PG Tips chimps, we have exploited them for entertainment. Meeting an enthusiastic lurcher named Trevor, Brett finds out how dogs have changed us and vice versa, as he unpacks our close companionship with man's best friend. Drawing on tales of Dracula and Batman, he investigates our obsession with bats, and, in company with Verity Sharp, he gets up close to one of the weirdest, most endangered primates on Earth: the aye-aye. Plus, Brett experiences the magic of sloths with Joanna Pinnock; examines what a furry stuffed toy can teach us about our association with bears; and analyses how our perception of the enigmatic whale has undergone a transformation, from feared beast to icon of conservation. 
 
Packed with fascinating facts about the biology and cultural history of each animal, this carefully curated collection celebrates the wonder and infinite variety of mammals, and shows how our past, present and future are inextricably intertwined with theirs. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Joanna Pinnock (Sloth) and Verity Sharp (Aye-Aye) 
Produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London 
Producers: Tom Bonnett, Melvin Rickarby, Sarah Blunt, Beth O'Dea 
Series producer: Mary Colwell 
Additional sound recordings of Narwhals courtesy of Dr Susanna Blackwell, Greeneridge Sciences Inc. 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
Monkeys And Apes 2 June 2015 
Bears 8 September 2015 
Whales 17 November 2015 
Elephant 27 September 2016 
Bat 1 August 2017 
Giraffe 7 November 2017 
Reindeer 21 November 2017 
Dog 4 September 2018 
Sloth 18 October 2019 
Aye-Aye 29 November 2019 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Natural Histories: Mammals

biblio.categories.code

biblio.publicationStatus

biblio.brand

biblio.workEditions.format

biblio.ageRange

biblio.series.seriesName

biblio.imprint.description

biblio.type

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

Search Results

The Fall of the West

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight (Book 21)

The Mortons

Little Black Classics Box Set

Watch a trailer for The Spook's Blood

A photograph of Ben Barnes in character for Shadow and Bone Netflix series.

Interviews

Shadow and Bone’s Ben Barnes on tear-jerking books and what he’s reading

An image showing a selection of adventure stories for 9-12 year olds on a bright yellow background with orange doodles that include a hashtag, flag, danger sign and speech bubble

Children's reading lists

16 books for 9 to 12-year-olds that love adventures

An image of a selection of books for 9-12s on a blue background with a large splodge and striped print

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

A picture of several different children's books on a pink to blue ombre background; each book has a bright yellow shadow

Reading lists

The 100 best children's books of all time, as chosen by our readers

stemming

Showing results for: ‘joseph delaney’

Filters

Category

Publication Date

Format

Series

Imprint

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter