Description

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An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough—stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree.

As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.

But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do?

This is the story of David Attenborough. It’s also the story of our planet, which has changed rapidly over the course of one person’s lifetime, and a clarion call for us to do our part to bring back the wild places and protect the creatures who call Earth home.

About the Author

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Hayley Rocco is the author of How to Send a Hug, her first collaboration with her husband, John Rocco. Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley worked as a publicist at several major publishers. An ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on conservation and rewilding South Africa, Hayley travels the world armed with a pen, a journal, and her camera, discovering stories of wild things and wild places. Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.

John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award. John, also an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, ventures with Hayley into the wild in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. John and Hayley live in Rhode Island in an old house tucked in the woods near the sea. Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart.

Praise For…

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Praise for Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough

* “[A] sterling biographical account . . . Interspersed quotes from the film David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet lend authenticity . . . Children will delight in learning about the 'voice of nature.' ” —School Library Journal, starred review

* "This mesmerizing picture book will likely captivate its audience with a powerful, accessible message and remarkable illustrations . . . Belongs in the library of any child who finds joy in the natural world. Dazzling." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"For fledgling conservationists and climate activists . . . An inspiring overview of a life dedicated to essential eco-causes." —Kirkus Reviews

"Naturalistic illustrations illuminate scenes of Attenborough’s youth and young adulthood with period detail . . . An exemplar of a public figure who changed course to address climate change." —Publishers Weekly

"Told in short elementary-school-friendly sentences with some science vocabulary, the text offers an overarching look at Attenborough’s life so far . . . Crisp, neat prose and lush artwork augment the simplicity well." —Booklist

"Haley Rocco proficiently distills information about Attenborough’s career into straightforward text following Attenborough’s path chronologically . . . John Rocco’s art is notable for its rich and luminous hues depicting stunning natural landscapes." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“It is not often that I’m truly touched by the picture books I read, but Wild Places is one of those books. The author and illustrator’s deep passion for and devotion to conservation is apparent throughout. Equally important and beautiful, Wild Places belongs on the shelves of every school and home library.” —Sherri Duskey Rinker, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steam Train, Dream Train and the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series
 
“A beautiful book about an inspiring life, with a timely message accessible for all ages.” —Rick Riordan, international bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
 
“Wild Places is eloquent and profound in its telling of Sir David Attenborough’s life. Hayley’s concise writing, matched with John’s vivid art, shows the impact one person can have on our planet and encourages us to change for the better. This is a must-have for any classroom.” —Tony DiTerlizzi, co-creator of The Spiderwick Chronicles
 
“This stunning, informative, and deeply humane book belongs on the shelf of everyone who cares about our planet, its creatures, and its caretakers. A wonder and a treasure." —Deb Caletti, Michael L. Printz Honor winning author of A Heart in a Body in the World
 
“A beautifully written and illustrated tribute to the importance of preserving the Earth for Future generations. Wild Places should be required reading for every young citizen of planet Earth.”—Mike Massimino, former NASA Astronaut and New York Times bestselling author of Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe