Book excerpt: Billy Loves Birds tells the fact-filled story of a day in the life of Billy, a budding young naturalist who is wild about birds of all kinds! Billy encounters many different kinds of birds in his adventures during his day at Forest School, and this book is filled with facts about all the different species he comes across, and some that he can only dream of seeing in the wild one day. He studies a blue tits’ nest with chicks about to fledge, spies a kingfisher catching a worm, and shows his friend how to peck like a woodpecker! Follow Billy as he shares his love of birds—discover how to trumpet like a crane or laugh like a kookaburra and learn what makes feathers fabulous or beaks extraordinary. With an engaging and lively narrative from Jess French and fun, warm illustrations from Duncan Beedie, this book will help ignite a love and appreciation for nature, right on our doorsteps. The Nature Heroes series focuses on a group of friends who are passionate about nature and the great outdoors. Each book features a different child who has a favorite topic that they are fascinated by: Billy Loves Birds, Bella Loves Bugs, Ava Loves Animals, and Pedro Loves the Planet! Playful text and funny relatable illustrations make this an accessible series, which provides an entertaining introduction to the natural world.