Wild Places

An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the world's best-known naturalist-broadcaster and documentarian David Attenborough-stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree.Follow David as a young boy growing up in England, to his early career in television, where he had the innovative idea to travel all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. He played with penguins on icebergs in Antarctica, cuddled with sloths in the rainforests of South America, and listened to the songs of humpback whales in the South Pacific. Over the years his programs reached millions of people.But over the course of his lifetime, David noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. The animals were becoming harder to find. The weather was becoming more extreme and unpredictable. And so, David turned his lens toward conservation, restoring the wild ecosystems of our planet, and protecting the animals who call Earth home.

Praise for Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough

“[A] sterling biographical account . . . Interspersed quotes from the film David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet lend authenticity . . . Children will delight in learning about the 'voice of nature.' ” —School Library Journal, starred review

“This mesmerizing picture book will likely captivate its audience with a powerful, accessible message and remarkable illustrations . . . Belongs in the library of any child who finds joy in the natural world. Dazzling.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

“For fledgling conservationists and climate activists . . . An inspiring overview of a life dedicated to essential eco-causes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Naturalistic illustrations illuminate scenes of Attenborough’s youth and young adulthood with period detail . . . An exemplar of a public figure who changed course to address climate change.” —Publishers Weekly

“Told in short elementary-school-friendly sentences with some science vocabulary, the text offers an overarching look at Attenborough’s life so far . . . Crisp, neat prose and lush artwork augment the simplicity well.” —Booklist

“Haley Rocco proficiently distills information about Attenborough’s career into straightforward text following Attenborough’s path chronologically . . . John Rocco’s art is notable for its rich and luminous hues depicting stunning natural landscapes.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Beautiful . . . Attenborough's urgent message of preserving this planet shines through.” —Boston Globe

“It is not often that I’m truly touched by the picture books I read, but Wild Places is one of those books. The author and illustrator’s deep passion for and devotion to conservation is apparent throughout. Equally important and beautiful, Wild Places belongs on the shelves of every school and home library.” —Sherri Duskey Rinker, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steam Train, Dream Train and the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series

“A beautiful book about an inspiring life, with a timely message accessible for all ages.” —Rick Riordan, international bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

“Wild Places is eloquent and profound in its telling of Sir David Attenborough’s life. Hayley’s concise writing, matched with John’s vivid art, shows the impact one person can have on our planet and encourages us to change for the better. This is a must-have for any classroom.” —Tony DiTerlizzi, co-creator of The Spiderwick Chronicles

“This stunning, informative, and deeply humane book belongs on the shelf of everyone who cares about our planet, its creatures, and its caretakers. A wonder and a treasure.” —Deb Caletti, Michael L. Printz Honor winning author of A Heart in a Body in the World

“A beautifully written and illustrated tribute to the importance of preserving the Earth for Future generations. Wild Places should be required reading for every young citizen of planet Earth.” —Mike Massimino, former NASA Astronaut and New York Times bestselling author of Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe

Hayley Rocco is the author of How to Send a Hug, her first collaboration with her husband, John Rocco. Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley worked as a publicist at several major publishers. An ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, a non profit focused on conservation and rewilding South Africa, Hayley travels the world armed with a pen, a journal, and her camera, discovering stories of wild things and wild places. Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.

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