Books published by publisher Penguin Random House South Africa

Originally published in 1994, Stuarts' Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central & East African Wildlife quickly became the standard reference to the subject in the region, reprinting many times. This new edition provides the most detailed coverage of tracks, droppings, bird pellets, nests and shelters and feeding signs, not only for mammals, but also for birds, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates.Greatly expanded, this extensive update now features: full color throughout; many more examples of all tracks and signs; photographs of animal species to supplement the numerous examples of tracks and signs; coverage of central African species; additional quick reference keys.The new edition retains the unique approach that made the first edition so popular, allowing readers to navigate quickly, by means of keys, to the pertinent information. Keys on the inside covers help readers access information even faster.

This new guide will be of great value to entomologists, both amateur and professional, as well as to students, nature conservation officers, game rangers, gardeners, farmers, tourists and anyone with an interest in natural history. An introductory chapter discusses the insect body, life history, classification and distribution patterns and relatives of southern African insects. It also touches on collecting, displaying and curating insects and explains 'How to use this book'.

Shaping Kruger provides fascinating insight into the lives, habits and behavior of the larger animals that significantly affect the workings of the park. It expertly synthesizes decades of ground-breaking research into the animals and their environment, examining along the way individual species; predator-prey relationships; mammal distribution, and browsing and grazing interactions. This detailed look at how Park management has had to interpret, monitor and adapt the processes that allow species to survive – even thrive – in an ever-changing environment makes for an intriguing and enlightening read.

Once again author and illustrator Jacqui Taylor has drawn inspiration from the animals, plants and images of Africa for this delightful book of verse. Children will love the bright colors, textures and detail in her illustrations, which are factual rather than fantastical and therefore educational, yet in a fun style. The verses themselves are rhythmical and make use of indigenous words in the context of the imagery. Also included is a section of fascinating facts that teach and ‘add value’ to the verses themselves.

What on Earth is That? Is a story in rhyming text about a pangolin - the world's least-known yet most-trafficked mammal. The author's sone Luke invites young readers or listeners on a journey asking various animals what they think the odd-looking creature is that he and a friend have found. In the process, it's revealed just what extraordinay and endearing animals pangolins are and how deserving they are of our protection as an endangered species. A section at the end of the book provides some interesting facts on pangolins and shows the work being done by the Tikki Heywood Trust to fight for their survival.

This is a true story of exodus, the inevitable journey of the last of the First People, as they leave the Great Sand Face and head for the modern world and cultural oblivion. Paul John Myburgh spent seven years with the ‘People of the Great Sand Face’, and three of those with a group of Gwikwe Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert. They were years of physical and spiritual immersion into a way of life of which only an echo remains in living memory. But all does not end there. In The Bushman Winter Has Come, the author imagines a continuing journey towards a place where we may, once again, know who we are in the context of our life on this earth … towards a time when we may answer the Gwikwe’s morning greeting, Tsamkwa/tge? (Are your eyes nicely open?) with a confident Yes.

In 1938 a 400-million-year-old fish – known only from fossil remains and thought to have become extinct around 66 million years ago – was discovered living off the shores of southern Africa. This fascinating book for younger readers tells the story of the coelacanth – what it is, what makes it special, how it was discovered, where it evolved, how it gives live birth, how and what it eats, and what eats it! With multiple illustrations and photographs and interesting text, this book will be an inspiration to a new generation of ichthyologists, palaeontologists, divers, and anyone with an interest in the natural world.

In the words of author Dianne Stewart, 'African proverbs reflect both the past and the present, and are as relevant to contemporary society as they were to traditional society.' As with so much of African culture, proverbs have been passed on in the oral tradition so it's rare to find such a treasure trove as this; from across Africa, Dianne has compiled a fascination collection. The text is given in the language of origin, an English translation and an explanation of the meaning. The proverbs are divided into subject groups such as human nature, family life, good fortune, time, animals and nature. Whether you're looking for that special African gift or would like to add to your own collection of reference books, Wisdom from Africa is an excellent choice.

Children will enjoy hours of fun coloring in this selection of our most interesting reptiles and frogs. There are more than 40 to color in — each reptile accompanied by an interesting caption — to help budding artists and young naturalists learn something about each as they work through the book. In the middle of the book is a gallery of all the creatures in full color, providing a clear guide as to which crayons or paints to use when coloring in the outlines on the other pages.