Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment.

Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world.

This book presents:

• 58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour

• concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats

• straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongue

• parallel texts in Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu for older learners who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.

• Vivid and scientifically accurate illustrations in full colour

• Clearly and concisely written for children who are starting to read, but also suitable for adults to read to young children

• Additional information given in easy visual clues

A new addition to this successful series and a companion volume to My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life, this book focuses on creatures that are found within the sea environment, away from the shore: fi shes; squid; sharks; rays; whales and dolphins; turtles; seabirds, and other creatures found off-shore. It follows the series model, with an illustrated introduction giving context to the subject, and then each page featuring:

•  a vivid, full-colour illustration
•  simple, informative text in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu
•  visual clues about the creatures’ diet, size, habits and distribution round our coast

A beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores that will appeal to children of all ages.

Snakes, lizards and tortoises are fascinating creatures, particularly to inquisitive young minds. This book introduces 56 reptiles found in southern Africa and gives visual information about their size, the food they eat and where you are likely to find them. Simple text, written by a reptile expert, offers brief insight into behaviour and habits. My First Book of Southern African Snakes and other Reptiles is designed to appeal to young readers and pre-readers but will also help learners of all ages to improve their knowledge of local languages.

My first book of Southern African creepy-crawlies is the newest title in this children's series, and a companion to its sister edition on Southern African Insects. The title covers 58 spiders, snails, millipedes and other creatures (excluding insects) that are likely to be seen around the home and garden. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each page features: a vivid, full-colour illustration; clear, informative text and visual clues for both pre- and beginner readers; translation into 3 other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; simple graphics conveying the creatures’ size, what it eats and when it is active. This illustrated title will introduce everyday creatures to both pre-readers and those beginning to read in their mother tongue.

Following the success of My first book of Southern African Birds, volume 2 introduces a further 58 fascinating birds found at the seashore, rivers and lakes, in grasslands and forests, and also in suburban gardens. Striking full-colour illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions in four languages, and there are visual clues to diet, nest, footprint and each bird’s relative size. This book will appeal to southern Africa's younger readers and inspire an interest in birds and the natural world.

My first book of Southern African Seashore life is the latest title in this successful children's series. The title covers 58 sea creatures and plants that are likely to be seen at the shore. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each of the featured specimens gets a vivid, full-colour illustration; simple, informative text; translation into three other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; visual clues about the creatures' diet, size, distribution round our coast, locomotion and exactly where they live relative to the water line. This beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores will appeal to children – and parents – of all ages.

My first book of Southern African Animal Tracks introduces 55 different types of animals and the footprints they leave behind.

The animals and birds included are those that you are likely to find on visits to nature reserves or game parks – or even in gardens.

For each species featured, the book gives:

- Life-sized track ‘imprints’

- A full-colour illustration of the animal and a visual size comparison with a human body, arm or hand

- A short description in four languages of each creature and its prints.

This introduction to the intriguing world of tracking will keep children happily absorbed for hours at home or on trips to view wildlife. The text in four languages expands the readership and promotes multilingualism.

This first book of birds introduces children to commonly seen birds of parks gardens and open areas of southern Africa. The lively approach, presenting full-colour illustrations of 58 birds and visual cues to each bird's size, the food it eats, its nest and the footprint it leaves behind, will appeal to both pre-readers and those just starting to read.

My First Book of Southern African Wildlife introduces the young reader to a selection of southern Africa's most commonly seen and fascinating wildlife species.

Divided into three sections, the title covers 58 mammals, 58 birds and 56 reptiles. Striking full-colour illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions in four languages, and there are visual clues to diet, size and habitat of each creature.

This title will appeal to southern Africa's younger readers, and will foster an early interest in the natural world.

This first book of birds introduces children to the birds most commonly seen in gardens and wildlife areas in East Africa. The 58 birds are featured in full colour illustrations, with visual cues to each birds size, the food it eats, its nest and the footprint it leaves behind. This lively approach will appeal to young readers, as well as to learners of all ages who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.

Why does the African Jacana have long toes? What colour is the Cape Parrot? Which bird feasts on wild figs? And where does the Diderick Cuckoo lay its eggs?

Children will find the answers to these questions - and lots more interesting facts - while enjoying hours of fun colouring in a selection of our most beautiful birds.

There are more than 40 to colour in, helping budding artists and young children learn something about each as they work through the title. In the middle of the title is a gallery of all the birds, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which crayons or paints to use when colouring in the outlines on the other pages.

This fun and educational children's colouring book includes drawings of 44 European insects to colour and learn about. It will inspire kids to explore their surroundings to discover what creepy crawly beetle or beautiful butterfly is hiding in their own backyard. Each insect is featured on a full-page with a title and a caption stating an interesting fact about the bug. Children will learn to identify common insects as well as get hours of enjoyment colouring. The book also has four centre-pages with smaller colour images of all the insects included so children can colour in their insects accurately if they want to. The drawings are detailed, but accessible and include many butterflies, beetles, bees, caterpillars, ladybirds, moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers, wasps and crickets.

Children will enjoy hours of fun colouring in this selection of our most striking seashore life – more than 40 of the brightest, most fascinating, commonly known creatures and plants from our local shores.

In the middle of the book is a full-colour gallery of all the featured shore life, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlined images throughout the book.

As they work through the book, budding artists and inquisitive children will also be able to pick up snippets of knowledge about the creatures, such as how the colourful sea anemone overpowers its prey; whether the sponge is an animal; how the starfish pulls its stomach outside of its body to eat; why the hermit crab's homes are all second-hand; and the bag of tricks used by that master of disguise, the octopus.

How does the sea snake swim? What is a 'hinged' tortoise? Who cleans a crocodile's teeth? Do toads cause warts? How do some frogs survive the dry season?

Children will find the answers to these questions – and many other interesting facts – while enjoying hours of fun colouring in a selection of our most striking reptiles and amphibians (frogs and toads).

There are more than 40 to colour in, each providing budding artists and inquisitive children with a snippet of knowledge as they work through the book. In the middle of the book is a gallery of all the featured creatures, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlined images throughout the book.

Why do elephants flap their ears? Which big cat leaps into the air to catch birds? How do bushbabies get their name?

Discover the answers to these questions and enjoy hours of colouring fun with the latest addition to our Read, colour and keep series. There are more than 40 animals to colour in, each illustration providing budding artists and inquisitive children with interesting facts as they work through the book.

The centre spread contains a pull-out gallery of all the animals in full colour. These can serve to guide children in colouring in the outlined images – or they can simply use their imagination!

How do Corn crickets produce their high-pitched sounds? Which insect has a forked horn on the front of its head? Where does the small scarlet dragonfly scatter its eggs? Which bug is named after a famous artist?

Children will find the answers to these questions - and many other interesting facts - while enjoying hours of fun colouring in a selection of our most striking insects.

There are more than 40 images to colour in, providing budding artists and young children with enticing snippets of knowledge as they work through the title. In the middle of the title is a gallery of the insects, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlines on the other pages.

Colouring-in is a favourite children’s pastime, and here’s a new addition to Struik Nature’s ‘Read, colour and keep’ series that will give hours of fun, while also expanding children’s knowledge of the natural world.

Why is Bulbine such a useful plant? Which flowers can we eat, and which are poisonous? What is South Africa’s national flower? Why do some flowers give off a rotten smell? Who pollinates our beautiful flowers?

Children will learn interesting facts while enjoying hours of fun colouring in this selection of our most striking flowers. They can consult the colour guide in the middle of the book when choosing which shade of crayon or paint to use for the more than 40 outlined images – or make up their own fantastically-hued flowers!