A BOOK TO READ

The Little Book of Birds (Editions du Chêne, £10.95) Do magpies really steal shiny objects? Why do woodpeckers knock on tree trunks? This pocket-sized encyclopedia by anne jankeliowitch answers such queries and, with beautiful illustrations and concise yet detailed facts, it will certainly help you to know your swallow from your skylark. Clouds (Reaktion Books, £14.95) Did you know that life without clouds is impossible? not only do they bring the rain, they also act as a planetary thermostat and symbolise the unpredictability of nature. Here, richard hamblyn outlines their scientific significance while exploring their romantic presence within literature.