Sphere lands celebration of the countryside from television presenter Henson

Sphere has landed Two for Joy: The Untold Story Ways To Enjoy The Countryside by television presenter Adam Henson. 

Publishing director Emily Barrett acquired world rights from Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown. The book will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in October 2022. 

Divided into the four seasons, Two for Joy will help readers understand what’s happening on farms and in hedgerows throughout the year. Henson brings to life countryside superstitions and folklore, revisits old traditions and encourages us all to look up at the trees and sky. 

The publisher wrote: "No matter whether readers have always loved the countryside or are recent converts to nature (perhaps owing to lockdown and the pandemic), farmer Adam will gift us all the knowledge needed to keep that joy and wonder of the British and Irish countryside alive all year round." 

"I’m thrilled to be bringing Adam – a talented farmer, a successful author and a beloved TV presenter – to the Sphere list," said Barrett. "Adam’s books thus far have been memoirs about his life as a farmer so this book marks an exciting change for him. I’m positive there will be many among the millions who tune in to see him on Countryfile each week, and the thousands who go to his park in the Cotswolds every year, who will be just as eager as I am to have the benefit of his ample countryside wisdom." 

Henson added: "The countryside has been the landscape of my life, but I’m as guilty as the next person of not always taking the time to notice how beautiful and clever it is. I wanted to write this book because I’m excited by the recent rushes of love for nature since the coronavirus lockdowns gave people the time to listen to birdsong or notice the trees in their gardens. I’m hoping that the more people learn about how much there is to love about the countryside, and how much happiness it can bring, the more they’ll want to protect it. But, in many ways, it’s also been an exercise in reminding me to stop and appreciate the wonders of it myself. Crikey, have I managed that! I feel luckier than ever to live on the collection of islands we do, so affected by the seasons and the many changes they bring, and I hope by the time readers have finished this book, they’ll feel the same."