A Murmuration of Starlings

With 50 new paintings and entries for the collective nouns of animals, birds and insects, artist and author Steve Palin presents a fresh take on his best-selling A Murmuration of Starlings. Some are beautifully illustrated classics: a pride of lions, even a raft of otters perhaps – but what about a business of ferrets or a descent of woodpeckers? Many collective nouns have their roots in medieval times, in particular applied to those creatures hunted by man, and subject to the etiquette of their proper group names. This elegant hardback gift book will appeal to all those with a fascination for the English language, those who want the answers for quizzes and crossword puzzles, and those with an interest in animals and birds. AUTHOR: Steve Palin was born in Liverpool and has been a teacher all his life, for 17 years of which he was a headteacher. He has been publishing his artwork for over 25 years, often combining a love of language with illustration. His previous books include A Dissimulation of Birds, A Menagerie of Animals, and The Songs of Birds. His artwork was displayed most recently in the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art in July 2012. He lives with his wife in a village near Wrexham. 50 colour illustrations

Author Biography

Steve Palin was born in Liverpool and has spent his working life in education as a teacher, headteacher and adviser. He has been publishing his artwork for nearly 35 years and has exhibited in the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art.

His best-selling book, A Murmuration of Starlings, showcases the collective nouns of animals and birds in words and watercolours. He also wrote and illustrated The Anniversary Book which is a guide to the perfect anniversary gift and A Box of Frogs – illustrated idioms of birds and animals.

A trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, he lives on Anglesey where he is developing a wildflower meadow to encourage wildlife. He has a strong interest in butterflies and moths.

His best-selling book, A Murmuration of Starlings, showcases the collective nouns of animals and birds in words and watercolours. He also wrote and illustrated The Anniversary Book which is a guide to the perfect anniversary gift and A Box of Frogs – illustrated idioms of birds and animals.

A trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, he lives on Anglesey where he is developing a wildflower meadow to encourage wildlife. He has a strong interest in butterflies and moths.