THE BIG BIRD SPOT

Matt Sewell Pavilion, HB, £9.99

This is the first children's book from well-known artist Matt Sewell, and his bold, colourful style is superbly suited to getting youngsters interested in the birds around them. Double-page spreads picture a wide range of wildlife habitats, with each one containing a native bird for children to find. The species include threatened UK species such as Lapwing and Cirl Bunting, but also range further afield (Indian Roller, for example). There's also a wealth of other avian and wildlife detail in each picture, with an ID key provided at the back, giving context and plenty more for young minds to fasten on to. If you've got children under the age of about nine, this is a great way to get them talking about birds (and habitats, for that matter). It's bright and great to look at, but there's enough there to stir the curiosity of any youngster and send them off to find a field guide and a pair of binoculars.