With improved technology and a much greater appetite among the young for books to remind them of the wonderful biosphere in which they live, it is heartening to see how many new, high-quality publications are emerging from within India. Here are three books that Sanctuary believes should be in every public library and in the homes of all those whose hearts beat to nature’s drum.
Discover… the Beautiful Mammals of India
By Nelson Rodrigues
Published by Citadel
Hard cover, 360 pages
Rs. 1,500
Crafted painstakingly over a decade, this book is a lovely addition to the existing literature on mammals, making scientific information more accessible with simplified language, perfect for young readers just starting their wildlife journeys, though it need not be limited by age! The book will go a long way in achieving the author’s aim of “helping people, especially the younger generation, to discover and protect the wildlife of India”.
On my table, it will find a permanent place as an easy reference. Often, I happily open a random page and take a quick minute to absorb the animal featured in text and visuals. It is packed with little nuggets of information, for instance, how mammals have the ability to generate body heat possibly owing to the fact that their ancestors had to live a nocturnal life to protect themselves from dinosaurs.
Each chapter contains one category, such as an order or a family, starting with an introduction that covers unique anatomical characteristics, habitat, diet, social structure, role in the ecosystem, communication, the origin of the name, and more.
In addition to being extremely informative, the book is a treasure trove of over 600 beautiful images from about 400 pan-India photographers.
The text is placed on even-numbered pages, with species’ images occupying half of most of these pages. The odd-numbered pages are dedicated to stunning images – predator and prey, mothers with offspring, and the animal in its habitat, making the book a vivid tome. The author has included images of both male and female wildlife species, marked with symbols, to aid in easy identification. Every species description includes the common and scientific names, IUCN status, a succinct yet detailed description, and distribution.
The book will make for an excellent gift for young ones – or even curious adults – and will be a great option for a screen-free wildlife exploration.
Reviewed by Shatakshi Gawade
