Nicola Davies is a zoologist and author of over 80 children’s books, mainly focused on the natural world. Her books have been translated into more than 12 languages and have won awards in the UK, Japan, America, Germany, and France. The novel ‘Skrimsli’ won the Wales Book of the Year (children and young people’s category) in 2024. She is a Professor of Practice at the University of Wales, School of Illustration in Swansea, and lives near Solva. From September 2025, she is the new Children’s Laureate for Wales.

Nicola was a presenter on the BBC’s ‘The Really Wild Show’ and has studied species such as bats, turtles, sharks, and whales. She aims to communicate the wonder of the natural world and emphasizes the importance of children’s connection with nature.

Using imagination, illustration, storytelling, information and humour, in her books she engages with different age children

‘Surprising Sharks’ was highlighted as an example of an informative picture book that uses illustrations and playful storytelling to teach children about sharks. In the book she flips perspective, showing that humans are a greater threat to sharks than vice versa.

Use of an interesting and unusual book title may attract different audiences (e.g., ‘Poo’, ‘What’s Eating You’, ‘Animals Behaving Badly’).

Fantasy fiction is employed to address complex topics like climate change, politics, and greed, making them acceptable to children without causing distress.

Nicola has a lifelong love of poetry and uses it to convey information succinctly.

The talk was concluded by reinforcing the theme of appreciating the wonder of the natural world.