Get Your Boots On

A couple of years ago I had the idea to write a book aimed at young people just like me. Something I would have wanted to read when I was just starting out. A book that would encourage more people to engage with the wildlife on their doorstep, to see how fantastic nature is, and in turn want to protect the wildlife that they fall in love with.

It is mind blowing that on the 3rd July 2019 ‘Get Your Boots On’ will be released.

From the beginning I wanted the book to be packed full of information, helpful hints and photographs. Not something you had to read from front to back but a guide you just picked up when you wanted inspiration. I asked lots of people for advice, from people who work with wildlife in one way or another, people who spend time with wildlife as a hobby, people who make it their life to protect wildlife, as well as young people the same age, older or younger than me.

There were times when I didn’t think the book would become anything more than pages and pages of notes tucked into a folder in my bedroom, there were times when I was told how hard it is to get a book published and metaphorically patted on the head and told to forget the idea, but as every word of encouragement came in, as each contribution came back and more words came spilling out on to the page, I became more determined that I was actually going to get this finished.

The publishers received from me the words and my photos, together with a rough idea of how I wanted the layout. As soon as a few sample pages came back to me I was astounded. I never imaging seeing my photos and words looking so fantastically laid out.

It’s been what seems like a very long journey, umming and ahing over particular photographs, changing words here and there, rewriting sections that after consideration didn’t fit any more.

I’m really looking forward to revealing more about the content as July gets closer and if the book inspires just one extra person to become excited about nature and wildlife then I’ll be happy.

https://divedup.com/shop/get-your-boots-on/

ISBN 978-1-909455-22-1

£14.95

Amazon or you could ask your local bookshop to order it in for you.

Description

Young wildlife champion Alex White is on a quest to get more people out enjoying nature. In this inspirational book, he and a host of well-known contributors reveal what got them into wildlife in the first place – now they want you to Get Your Boots On. They offer tales of encouragement for anyone who wants to get closer to nature and indispensable advice to those who would like to get more involved or even build a career out of their passion for wildlife. Illustrated throughout by Alex’s stunning photographs, this book will appeal to young and old alike. It suggests: when and where to get out there; what to go looking for; how to do it; what to take… and a host of other tips. Practical advice for getting closer to nature. Encouragement from those who have lived it.

Reviews of Get Your Boots On

‘This fabulous and important book. It’s good, it’s inspirational and – critically – it’s heartening’— Chris Packham.

‘Alex is prominent as a standard-bearer for [a] new generation of wildlife champions… he is giving hope and inspiration to young people across this nation that despite all the challenges we face, it is still possible to make this world a better place for humans and wildlife’— Dominic Dyer, CEO Badger Trust & British Wildlife Advocate Born Free Foundation

Author

Alex White is a wildlife photographer and blogger. Since the age of ten, he has won a number of photography competitions. He has appeared on panels and spoken to audiences about his love of wildlife, from small local gatherings to BBC TV’s Springwatch Unsprung. Alex is passionate about British wildlife — in particular mammals — and keen to show other people how to find amazing wildlife on their doorstep. His blog Appleton Wildlife Diaries is a finalist in the UK Blog Awards 2019.