"Packed with facts and radiant with the magic of nature, this reveals the wonders of the night through a 360 lens of wildlife, landscapes, ecosystems and humankind."
Penned by Ben Lerwill and superbly illustrated by Paula Bossio, The World at Night does a dazzling deep dive into the nocturnal wonders of our world. Traversing the globe — from tropical Caribbean oceans and Amazonian rainforests, to the Arabian desert and Antarctica — it’s suffused in an infectious spirit of exploration as it shines a light on marvels of the dark, among them glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, bioluminescent plankton, the Northern Lights, and (a personal favourite!) Bornean bearded pigs that migrate by night.
While the topics covered are wonderfully presented — lucid, engaging and richly illustrated — what really makes The World at Night stand out is the way it explores night-time magic from multiple perspectives, adding up to an immersive, holistic experience. For one example, through coverage of Antarctica, we learn about the living conditions of researchers based near the South Pole, as well as the wildlife that call this chilly place home.
Also covering the day-night cycle, eclipses, the moon, nocturnal animals in cities, sleep, dreams and night workers, The World at Night illuminates every nook and cranny of night- time. Perfectly pitched for readers of 7 and upwards, it’s a great book for kids who are into science, nature and humanities subjects, and also comes highly recommended for school libraries.
In the deepest, darkest depths of night, our planet is transforming and thriving ...
At night, magic is all around in the natural world, from bioluminescent seas in the Caribbean to the Northern Lights on Arctic winter nights. Explore the lives of animals who tread a different path under the cover of darkness, including the perilous journey taken by baby turtles in the moonlight and the global migration of bearded pigs. Discover nocturnal plants that have evolved to only bloom in the moonlight, and wild mushrooms that depend on their glow-in-the-dark superpower for survival.
Follow the people who wake to work hard through the night in towns and cities, such as hospital staff, fishing crews, bakers, firefighters, postal workers and security guards. Learn about our reliance on electric light across the world, and the human body clock's vital connection to light and darkness.
A glossary of all notable terms is included at the end of the book.
Filled with incredible facts and brought to life by Paula Bossio's beautifully quirky illustrations, The World at Night takes readers to the ends of the earth and everywhere in between to uncover the hidden wonders of our nocturnal planet.
Ben Lerwill is a multi-award winning travel writer and children’s author. His work has appeared in titles such as National Geographic Traveller, BBC Travel, the Sunday Times and the Guardian. In 2021 he was named Specialist Travel Writer of the Year – one of eight awards to his name – and in 2022 he was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Children’s Nature Writing.
He has travelled to more than 90 countries and lives with his family in the English countryside. Ben's many successful children's books include Around the World in 80 Trees, WildLives, Wild Cities, One Moment in Time and One World, Many Colours.
