Bird Book for Children to Love Nature

The University of Leeds has published a children’s book titled The Mysterious Bird in the Moonlight on nightjar bird and intended to make children love nature. Nightjar with its soundless flight, large eyes and the wide bill has given rise to folklore myths for centuries. The bird with its mottled plumage is inactive by day. Their numbers are decreasing due to the loss of habitat. Written by award-winning children’s author and illustrator Steve Smallman, the work is part of the University’s project ‘Land Lines’, a study of modern British nature writing from the late 18th century. The project uses artistic interventions to explore environmental themes, working with the public and commissioning new nature-themed works.