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!

The cradle of humankind world heritage site is a unique area that probably tells us more about the history of our earliest ancestors than any place of a comparable size elsewhere in the world. This title facilitates the spread of the knowledge we have gained in the field thus far. It tells us something of the world in which our ancestors lived; provides a guide to all the known hominid species; details all the sites within the area and describes its animals and plants, both past and present, to give the reader a context in which to understand who we are and where we have come from.

Namaqualand is justifiably famous for the floral wonderland it becomes in spring, when seas of bright flowers carpet the land. Astonishingly, the carpet comprises some 3,800 species, of which 28% are endemic.

This book introduces nearly 600 species, highlighting those most commonly found, most conspicuous, spectacular or interesting, as well as endemics. An introduction touches on the species selection for the book, the climatic and topographical subregions within Namaqualand, plant names and uses, and conservation issues.

The concise species descriptions also give seed and fruit details, uses, local growing conditions and fl owering times, along with beautiful full-colour photographs. This is a must-have guide for visitors to Namaqualand, or for anyone interested in the wild flowers of southern Africa.

Four full-colour posters depicting different animal groups, featuring their names in four languages – English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. Insects of Southern Africa illustrates some 60 of the region’s common and conspicuous insects, with icons showing which are poisonous. These colourful educational posters make beautiful wall hangings, and are ideal gifts for young nature-lovers. Excellent aids in a classroom, home, nature centre or library.

This is Botswana takes the reader on a panoramic journey of discovery from the arid vastness of the Kalahari Desert to the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta. It is a compelling visual essay on the country, its people and its wildlife. More than 250 stunning photographs provide an exciting and diverse overview of the country. These are complemented by a detailed introductory text that both establishes historical perspective and offers insight into the realities of a country moving hesitantly, but with hope, into a challenging future.

Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings.

This user-friendly, richly illustrated field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant plant group, while concise accounts describing the plants’ diagnostic features, along with distribution maps, will enable quick ID of species.

More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners who are turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and waterwise plants for cultivation.

Fully revised and updated, Filmer’s spiders: an identification guide to Southern Africa features all 63 families of spider that occur in this region. A fresh layout, full-colour photographs throughout – many of them new – and diagrams of diagnostic features make this a quick and easy guide for use in the field. The spiders are grouped into web-living, ground-living and plant-Iiving species to aid identification.

Each family is described in terms of the spiders' lifestyle, habitat, size, behaviour and poison potential, and the best collecting methods are given in each case. For those species whose poison is potentially harmful to man, the effects and recommended treatment of bites are discussed.

This handy format book will appeal to anybody wishing to gain insight into the daily lives of spiders.

The first guide ever to document and explore the diverse parks and reserves of Africa’s ‘middle belt’, it covers Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

The region contains prized spots such as the world-famous landscapes of the Namib and Kalahari deserts, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi, and some of Africa’s best-known conservation areas, including Etosha, Chobe, Mana Pools, Hwange, Kafue and Nyika.

Written by two prominent conservationists, the book is organised by country, and includes:

• Detailed descriptions of the history, geology, climate, vegetation and wildlife of some 50 conservation areas
• Annotated park maps, indicating places of interest and best sites to view key species
• Text panels featuring each park’s highlights, facilities and activities, wildlife facts, and important alerts
• A concise photographic gallery of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and trees, for quick identification of commonly seen species

A must-have guide to the parks and reserves of a region renowned for spectacular landscapes, fauna and flora.

Geology off the beaten track follows on the success of author Nick Norman’s earlier Geological Journeys (co-authored with Gavin Whitfi eld), which has sold more than 20 000 copies in the last 6 years. This new book helps readers understand and interpret the geology along SA’s regional and other less-travelled roads.

- It features 13 detailed routes across the country, taking in geologically interesting areas such as the Richtersveld,Cape winelands and the Valley of Desolation near Graaff-Reinet.

- The text is richly illustrated with photos and explanatory diagrams, making it suitable for armchair travellers too.

- Maps for all the routes indicate key geosites, with GPS readings to pinpoint their location.

This is a must-have handbook for travellers in the region, or for anyone wanting to know more about our rocks and landforms.

This guide to the parks and reserves of East Africa provides a valuable overview of some 58 protected areas across East Africa. The book is divided into the four East African countries Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda – and, for each park, provides essential background on geology and landscape, climate, vegetation and wildlife, capturing the essence of what each area offers. It also covers the brief history of each park.

Other features include:

• Many colour photographs of animal and plant life.
• Detailed park maps, indicating places of interest and best sites to view key species.
• Text panels with highlights, facilities and activities, wildlife facts, and important alerts.
• A photographic gallery of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and trees, for quick identification of common species.

This must-have guide to East Africa’s protected areas will prove indispensable to local and international visitors to the region and to all nature enthusiasts.

This compact field guide to the identification of Southern African mammals based on their spoor, droppings and skulls has been accepted as the standard work on the subject.

This edition offers up-to-date information on identification through signs. This edition provides new illustrations for a number of species. It also features illustrations of skulls for all of the carnivores.

The 8-page section of comparative spoor is still a feature, updated with the most recent information available. It includes distribution maps (88 in all) and full-colour photographs (some 150) of each species within its habitat.

East Africa is one of the world's premier wildlife regions, well known for its mass migrations of herds and the dramatic predators that accompany them. As iconic are the trees that grow here - some endemic to the region and almost all identified with the plains and slopes of this land, stretching from the muggy coast, through grasslands and up to the cold, dry reaches of high mountain peaks. Among them are mangroves, cycads and palms; marulas, acacias and sausage trees; fever trees, toothbrush trees and giant bamboos and heaths.

This book presents some 100 of the region's most visible and significant tree species, arranged by vegetation zone. Multiple images of each species showing key ID features, such as bark, leaves, flowers and fruit, are teamed with concise descriptions, where to see the trees, calendar bars indicating flowering months, interesting notes about their uses - both medicinal and practical - and the myths and legends they have generated.

Colorful, interesting and geared for quick tree identification, this handy guide will help visitors and locals alike make the most of East African safaris.

Peacocks & Picathartes is a celebration of the diversity of African birds, focusing on families that occur only in Africa as well as iconic families and species that, despite having close relatives in other parts of the world, seem to embody something of Africa.

Watson’s anecdotal style captures vividly his encounters with prized species, such the secretive White-necked Picathartes and the elusive Congo Peacock. He conveys the sheer delight mousebirds take in ‘being what they are’, and reveals the surprise discovery in 1991 of a new partridge in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains.

Drawing on precolonial and current-day avian accounts, he offers his own insights based on a lifetime of personal observations in the wilds of Africa – recounting unforgettable expeditions, quirky bird behaviour, jittery taxonomy, moments of rare good luck – and much more.

Both informative and entertaining, this book captures the essence of African bird life, and will appeal to bird enthusiasts across the spectrum.

A compact guide featuring nearly 400 wild flowers of Kenya and northern Tanzania, grouped for ease of use according to colour. The book includes the most widespread and commonly encountered species as well as some unusual flowers found in more remote areas.

Plants range from hardy succulents to spectacular epiphytic orchids and shaggy mountain lobelias, each concisely presented with reference to key features and typical habitat. Additional notes indicate whether a given species has particular ecological, medicinal or cultural value.

Across the face of southern Africa are more than 460 remarkable stone palaces, once the abodes of kings. Some are small, others ramble, but many are absolutely astonishing: all are the legacy of kingdoms past.

Palaces of Stone brings to life the story of these early African societies, from AD 900 to approximately 1850. Some, such as Great Zimbabwe and Khami in Zimbabwe and Mapungubwe in South Africa, are famous world heritage sites, but the majority are unknown to the general public, unsung and unappreciated. Yet, the stone ruins that have survived tell a common story of innovative architecture and intricate stonework; flourishing local economies; long-distance travel; global trade; and emerging forms of political organisation.

By exploring a selection of known and unknown sites, Palaces of Stone reimagines the apparently empty spaces bequeathed to us by history, an Africa of places that once hummed with life. All that remains now are the ruins – a bedrock from which to unravel the past and understand the present.

Easy-to-use and compact, this is the perfect pocket ID guide to mammals of the region. It covers some 120 mammals, from the smallest (bats, sengis and shrews) to the largest (lion, rhinoceros and elephant), as well as marine species, such as seals, dolphins and whales. Clear, full-color photographs and distribution maps.

A must-have for tourists and nature-lovers alike.This authoritative guide offers concise information, clear images of each animal, distribution maps and illustrations of tracks and droppings. This colorfully illustrated guide offers concise information on key ID pointers, similar species, habitat, behavior, diet, reproduction, longevity, calls, occurrence and measurements. Clear images of each animal, distribution maps, silhouettes indicating size relative to humans and illustrations of tracks and droppings offerconcise yet detailed information enabling quick and easy mammal ID.

Originally published in 1981, Living Shores was for many years the standard reference for marine science students but was also embraced by a popular market for its fascinating insights into marine and coastal habitats and the life they support. After a long absence, this classic has been revived and thoroughly reworked to incorporate the many dramatic changes that our oceans and coasts have undergone over the past few decades.

This book is the first of a two volume set, and examines the different marine ecosystems and how humankind interacts with them. It discusses the evolution of the sea and continents and looks at the ecology of coastal systems, including intertidal zones, beaches, dunes, estuaries, islands, kelp forests and reefs. The book unpacks the relationship between humans and the marine environment, and the consequences of harvesting and mining to meet our needs. It also addresses the impact of climate change, and highlights what can be done to protect our environment.

Richly supported by full-colour photography and numerous explanatory illustrations, diagrams and graphs, this book will prove invaluable to students and teachers but will also appeal to anyone with a fascination for nature and our marine world in particular.

Fully updated and expanded, this third edition of the top-selling Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa now features more than 520 of the trees and shrubs – indigenous and naturalized exotics – commonly found in the region.

Each of the four sections – trees, shrubs, palms and mangroves – is arranged in alphabetical order according to scientifi c name. The book features:

• An informative introduction to families.

• Species accounts describing the plants’ habitat, bark, leaves, fl owers and fruit.

• General and commercial applications and uses in traditional medicine.

• Almost 2,000 photographs depicting the species, its fruit, fl owers and bark.

• Glossaries, both textual and illustrated, of botanical and medical terms.

Animals are often heard before they are spotted, and this book serves as an excellent guide to help identify 76 creatures (mammals, birds, amphibians and insects), based primarily on their calls.

For each of the species listed, there is a full-colour photograph, distribution map and brief facts about its life history and behaviour.

Key features:

- An accompanying CD with 76 common animal calls

- Photographs and distribution maps for each species

- Interesting facts, including habitat, diet and time of calls

An invaluable resource for nature lovers of all ages, this CD and book will provide a new way of recognising the varied sounds of Africa's wild areas.

A must-have guide to South Africa’s famously diverse and richly populated parks and reserves.

Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of South Africa is an indispensable guide to the country’s best and most accessible conservation areas. Written by two prominent conservationists, this new edition (with slight name change) has been thoroughly revised and updated.

Each of the 43 featured reserves - arranged by province - includes:

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site situated in the heart of the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve is the jewel in South Africa’s evolutionary crown: an area ‘of outstanding universal value’, it has attracted world-wide interest and furnished key evidence about where, when and how we came to be. The greater Magaliesberg area is peppered with some 200 caves and has a unique geology, history and biodiversity. For decades now, specialists have been combing the area to uncover evidence of our heritage.

In his spectacular new title, Vincent Carruthers guides readers along a timeline, from the birth of our planet through to developments of the twenty first century. Along the way he documents the formation of our landscapes and the emergence of life, the rise of hominins, the stone and iron ages, early settlement, migrations, wars and modern developments in the Magaliesberg – the entire evolution of life up to the present, as we know it.

Vividly illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams, Cradle of Life portrays the intrigue and importance of the site, taking readers on a magical journey of discovery.

First published in 1986, Smithers' mammals is an authoritative and popular guide to the mammals of Southern Africa. This revised and updated edition incorporates the latest information brought to light by molecular genetics, while remaining accessible to the layperson and handy in the field. Each entry includes an in-depth species description; notes on habitat, behaviour, diet and conservation status; accurate illustrations and spoor drawings; and a distribution map.

The title also details the whales, dolphins and seals seen along our coast.

This highly regarded field guide will appeal to general readers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as to specialists in the field of mammals.

Why does Monkey fear Leopard? Why does the Reed Warbler babble? How did Jabulani outwit the Lion? These and other intriguing questions are answered in When Bat was a Bird.

Twenty-four fresh and exciting stories feature memorable creatures both real and magical. In his latest collection, author Nick Greaves draws once more from the lore, mythology and history of various southern African tribes to relate a new collection of tales that is bound to become a firm favourite along with the highly successful When Hippo was Hairy, When Lion Could Fly, and When Elephant was King.

A companion volume to Attracting Birds to Your Garden, the focus of this guide extends to other ‘wildlife’, such as butterfl ies, dragonfl ies, bugs of all sorts, frogs, lizards and geckoes, and small mammals such as mongooses, genets and hedgehogs.

The book reveals how to plant a garden that attracts indigenous ‘wildlife’, depending on where in the country you live, creating nesting and breeding opportunities, and shows how to maintain such a garden. Along with practical suggestions and tips, this handy guide offers: the principles of gardening for wildlife; how to plan a garden and build a pond and wetland; tips on how to set up or enhance an existing garden; recommended plants that will fl ourish in local conditions, and; info about the many creatures that frequent a wildlife-friendly garden.

Colourful, engaging and packed with information, Gardening with Nature will have broad appeal and is priced to sell.

Namibia is a country of surprising contrasts – big skies and far horizons, arid landscapes and verdant waterways, jagged mountains and geological wonders, barren soils and bountiful seas. Its reputation as one of the most inhospitable regions in the world belies its capacity to sustain an array of fascinating life forms – from the unique desert-adapted elephant and beetles to the delicate lichens that have evolved to survive in the planet’s oldest desert, the Namib. Its people, too, have learnt to thrive in the harsh environment of this scorched wilderness. Dies ist Namibia brings to life the history, natural splendours, magnificent wildlife and diverse cultures of this beautiful and enigmatic land. Through its stunning photographs, detailed introduction and informative captions, this book provides a compelling insight into one of the world’s last true wilderness regions.