Diary of a Young Naturalist
Winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize, Diary of a Young Naturalist chronicles the turning of Dara McAnulty's world, from spring to summer, autumn to winter, on his home patch, at school, in the wild and in his head. Evocative, raw and beautifully written, this very special book vividly explores the natural world from the perspective of an autistic teenager juggling homework, exam...
Winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize, Diary of a Young Naturalist chronicles the turning of Dara McAnulty's world, from spring to summer, autumn to winter, on his home patch, at school, in the wild and in his head. Evocative, raw and beautifully written, this very special book vividly explores the natural world from the perspective of an autistic teenager juggling homework, exams and friendships alongside his life as a conservationist and environmental activist. With a sense of awe and wonder, Dara describes in meticulous detail encounters in his garden and the wild, with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions, skylarks, bats, cuckoo flowers, Irish hares and many more species. The power and warmth of his words also draw an affectionate and moving portrait of a close-knit family making their way in the world.
16 year old Dara McAnulty is an autistic naturalist, conservationist and activist from Northern Ireland. After writing his online blog 'Naturalist Dara' for over three years and writing articles for many UK Wildlife NGO'S, he was approached by independent nature publishers 'Little Toller' to publish his teenage nature diaries - 'Diary of a Young Naturalist'. Dara has been featu...
16 year old Dara McAnulty is an autistic naturalist, conservationist and activist from Northern Ireland. After writing his online blog 'Naturalist Dara' for over three years and writing articles for many UK Wildlife NGO'S, he was approached by independent nature publishers 'Little Toller' to publish his teenage nature diaries - 'Diary of a Young Naturalist'. Dara has been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Springwatch, BBC Homeground, BBC Bitesize, The Observer, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, Positive News and The Big Issue. He has recorded his own written pieces for BBC Radio Ulster. He has been hailed as an '...extraordinary voice and vision; brave, poetic and lyrical' by award winning writer Robert Macfarlane.
He is a passionate and fervent campaigner for the natural world and dedicated fundraiser, volunteer and wildlife recorder. He is the youngest ever winner of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 'Medal' for services to conservation and nature. He is also the recipient of 10 Downing Street's 'Points of Light' and the winner of The Daily Mirror 'Young Animal Hero' award. Dara is currently writing his second book; a picture book for younger readers - more details soon.