The children's book is the first in a series by wildlife conservation scientist Dr Colin Bonnington.
This story deals with acceptance, intolerance and prejudice through the use of memorable animal characters, and is aimed at children 7-10 years old. The subject has never been more topical, in the way it parallels with human social issues, and aims to encourage children to welcome difference in our world. The tale has elements of learning throughout, including the use of scientific names to label each character, and ultimately to encourage an interest in animals and the environment.
Mrs Sciurus, the female protagonist, is a single mother, who has a young family, and is born and bred in the countryside. However, her ancestors weren't and some of her animal neighbours are deeply offended about that. So upset in fact that they want Mrs Sciurus and the rest of her grey squirrel family gone from the countryside, for good. The prejudice mob, led by a horrible hare called Lieutenant Lepus are determined to remove the squirrels, and after being dragged to the court of Judge Strix, a no nonsense tawny owl, poor Mrs Sciurus is tried and charged with carrying out a number of awful crimes. Of course she has not done any of these, but the kangaroo court doesn't care about that small detail. With the situation looking bleak for the squirrel family, she could really do with the help of a furry friend...Actually make that two furry friends!
Thankfully some of the animals in the countryside are more tolerant of others who are different, particularly a fabulous fox named Vulpes and a brilliant badger, Meles and they are more than happy to help her on a journey of belonging, which is by no means an easy trip.
They say home is where the heart is, but do Mrs Sciurus's neighbours have a heart?
I am Dr. Colin Bonnington, and I work as an ecologist for a large consultancy, where I survey for wildlife. My stories are all born from my work in the environmental sector. I have completed a PhD into the impact of grey squirrels on wildlife in the UK, at the University of Sheffield, and this is where my idea for this story arose. Before that I completed a Bachelors (Honours) undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling and a Masters degree at the University of Edinburgh, both on environmental themes. I have had a dozen scientific articles published in international journals, including several related to grey squirrels. I also regularly review articles submitted for publication, and this includes working as a reviewer for the African Journal of Ecology, where I also provide advice into writing style etc. I have also worked in East Africa (Tanzania) where I led an environmental research team, where we surveyed all animals big (elephants) and small (frogs). I live in the Cheshire countryside with my wife, cat and we expect our first child in the summer. Having this work published as a children's book signifies a pleasing switch between audiences, whilst still concerning the same subject matter of my PhD. This is the first of three wildlife themed books, which all have at least one character in common.
