Michael is proud to announce that his 4th book is out now!
It’s called The Little Gardener’s Handbook, and whether you have a big garden or a small windowsill, you can still make the world a greener place. This beautiful book is the perfect introduction to gardening.
Illustrated by Maria Dek, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as a genuinely useful handbook to get you and your family well on the path to botanical bliss!
Winner of the Peter Seabrook Practical Book of the Year
in the 2024 Garden Media Guild Awards!
But going back to 2020…..
Michael’s first book, I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast was published by Flying Eye Books in April 2020 and provides an inspiring and accessible introduction to the wonderful world of plants and how they are relevant to our lives.
Colourfully illustrated by Philip Giordano, it is packed with hints, tips, practical ideas and fun-filled activities to get children 7+ and their families informed, engaged and excited about plants.
‘Beautifully written & illustrated, this book brings to life the inextricable link between plants and our day-to-day lives, all presented in a fun, accessible manner for children.’ – Nick Bailey, Writer, Broadcaster and former Head Gardener at Chelsea Physic Garden
I Ate Sunshine For Breakfast was awarded the Garden Book Of The Year in the Garden Media Guild 2020 Awards.
Michael has made a career out of answering tricky plant based questions from tricky customers (aka kids)! A fun read from start to finish with some brilliant practical experiments.’– Nell Jones, Head of Plant Collections, Chelsea Physic Garden
Michael’s second book was published in June 2023…
Smart Animals - Clever Creatures in the Animal Kingdom:
Our human brains have taken us all around the globe, and even into space… But we are not the only clever creatures on the planet.
Some animals are so smart that we don’t even know the extent of their intelligence. How do some animals play? How do they use tools? How do they solve problems? How do they communicate? How do their memories work? Do they feel emotions like we do?
Here are a few images from ‘Smart Animals’ - beautifully illustrated by Daniela Olejniková
Smart Animals features octopuses navigating mazes, rats outsmarting lab experiments, dolphins naming each other, orangutans solving riddles, elephants holding a grudge for decades, and many more. Get ready for the most marvellous and mind-blowing masterminds from our animal kingdom!
Book number 3 was published in September 2023…
Wherever you live and whatever type of place you call ‘home’, houseplants can transform it. Learn all about them, their benefits and possibilities…and soon you’ll have a jungle in YOUR living room!
Growing plants inside your home is not only a wonderfully rewarding hobby and an easy way to bring some of the great outdoors inside, but houseplants can also provide health benefits and homegrown food.
Listen to Michael being interviewd by Jane Perrone for her On The Ledge podcast all about this book.
With wonderfully colourful illustrations by Philip Giordano, this book will give young readers the confidence and knowledge to be a successful houseplant expert for years to come. It’ll give them tips and tricks to help care for plants and even teach children how to make more plants.
Additional writing has included:
Several articles for ‘Simply Beautiful Gardens’ magazine.
Over 20 gardening articles for BBC Gardener’s World website
