The Golden Mole : and Other Living Treasure: 'A rare and magical book.' Bill Bryson

'Exquisite and timely.' Maggie O'Farrell'A rare and magical book.

I didn't want it to end.' Bill Bryson'A witty, intoxicating paean to Earth's wondrous creatures.' Observer'A total miracle.' Max Porter** SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES AND FOYLES BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS **** Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing **The world is more astonishing, more miraculous and more wonderful than our wildest imaginings.

In this passionately persuasive and sharply funny book, Katherine Rundell tells us how and why. A lavishly illustrated collection of the lives of some of the Earth's most astounding animals, The Golden Mole is a chance to be awestruck and lovestruck - to reckon with the beauty of the world, its fragility, and its strangeness. A swift flies two million kilometres in its lifetime.

That's far enough to get to the moon and back twice over - and then once more to the moon.

A pangolin keeps its tongue furled in a pouch by its hip.

A Greenland shark can live five hundred years. A wombat once inspired a love poem. 'Rundell's pen is gold-tipped.' Sunday Times'I love everything about this book: it is a rare little treasure.' Joanna Lumley'Beautifully written.' Monty Don