A highly diverting celebration of television's favourite naturalist, packed with games, trivia and Attenborough-inspired activities.
Attenborough. Just saying the name makes everyone feel better. Words like 'dependable', 'inspiring' and 'soothing' cascade like the rains returning to the sun-parched savanna. And according to a recent poll, he's the most trustworthy person alive, above Michelle Obama and The Queen.
When the public was tasked with coming up with a name for the British Antarctic Survey's new research vessel, there was only one real choice. We could all picture the Queen christening the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough. And then someone came up with Boaty McBoatface. Game over. Yet amid the cries of 'Democracy has failed!' the name chosen was RRS Sir David Attenborough. To the delight of the nation, though, Sir David, with a twinkle in his eye, confirmed that 'Boaty' would endure as the name of a remotely operated yellow submarine on board.
So what have we learned from this? British people love silliness. And A Celebration of David Attenborough is a celebration of our two favourite things: Attenborough and silliness.
You'll find games like Guess the animal from David's description, the David Attenborough drinking game, Create your own Attenborough coat of arms, Spot the fake species, Attenbingo, come up with a new animal print design for David's patented blue shirt in Patternborough, and if you find yourself in times of trouble, seek solace with the What would Attenborough do? self-help guide. Everything you've ever wanted to know about the great man from fun facts and remarkable quotes, plus ludicrous games lies within the sustainably forested habitat of these pages. It's the perfect present for, well, anyone, really.
Nathan Joyce is a freelance editor and writer. He is the author of A History of Insults (Dog 'n' Bone) and I Claudio (Blink), a compilation of Claudio Ranieri's greatest quotes, and a contributor to the Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year (Blink).
Peter James Field studied illustration at the University of Brighton. His clients include Time Magazine, The New York Times and Vanity Fair. Peter's work was recently selected for the 2018 BP Portrait Award exhibition.