A Must Read Book for All Naturalists

What a gorgeous book! It has opened my eyes wider to the abundance and beauty of nature all around us as we shelter at home. I've enjoyed this book on so many levels. It celebrates the diversity of nature and the neurodiversity of people in such a kind way, and it emphasizes the need to protect and respect both nature and the people in it. And the writing is lush, lyrical, and evocative - it is a balm during this stressful time. And it also allowed me to armchair travel back to the beautiful landscapes of Northern Ireland. As a high school teacher, I can't wait to share it with my students - it's so inspiring what Dara McAnulty has accomplished and shared in this book - Christina A. Krieg

[I recently ordered this book and I can echo everything the above reviewer says.  This is a wonderful book and a must read - J. Stehm]

Diary of a Young Naturalist chronicles the turning of 15-year-old Dara McAnulty's world. From spring and through a year in his home patch in Northern Ireland, Dara spent the seasons writing. These vivid, evocative and moving diary entries about his connection to wildlife and the way he sees the world are raw in their telling. "I was diagnosed with Asperger's/autism aged five ... By age seven I knew I was very different, I had got used to the isolation, my inability to break through into the world of talking about football or Minecraft was not tolerated. Then came the bullying. Nature became so much more than an escape; it became a life-support system." Diary of a Young Naturalist portrays Dara's intense connection to the natural world, and his perspective as a teenager juggling exams and friendships alongside a life of campaigning. "In writing this book," Dara explains, "I have experienced challenges but also felt incredible joy, wonder, curiosity and excitement. In sharing this journey my hope is that people of all generations will not only understand autism a little more but also appreciate a child's eye view on our delicate and changing biosphere."

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