In this enchanting book, Tilly Smith leads the reader through the cold and extraordinary natural history of the reindeer. A creature that is often used to adorn the winter season, the reindeer has been domesticated in Eurasia for longer than the horse while in North America it exists side by side with the humans, never tamed yet vital to the native settlements. Despite the popularity of the image of the reindeer, they are rarely seen in real life. This beautiful, comforting little book, peppered with anecdotes about the author's own herd, is sure to kindle affection for one of nature's most adaptable mammals, from fur-covered hooves to downy antlers.
Tilly Smith is co-director of the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, near Aviemore, which she runs with her husband. She has previously written Velvet Antlers, Velvet Noses and The Real Rudolph, and has also given talks on radio and television. Annually, during November and December, she takes her herd of reindeer on a popular tour of Britain.