Two Roads lands Backshall and Glover's guide to raising children in nature

Two Roads has signed wildlife and adventure broadcaster Steve Backshall’s “ultimate handbook for raising wilder, happier, muddier, more resilient kids”, written with his wife, two-time Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover.

Publishing director Kate Hewson bought world rights, excluding the US and Canada, from Julian Alexander at the Soho Agency and Hugo Jafari at Ignite Sport. 

Taking you through different environments and activities to explore, the publisher says Wildlings: How to Raise Your Family in Nature offers a compendium of ideas big and small for children of all ages that will get them and their parents more engaged and involved with nature and wildlife. 

With contributions from Bear Grylls, Ed Stafford, Sir Chris Hoy, Judy Murray, Michaela Strachan, Gordon Buchanan, Caroline Lucas, Wayne Bridge and many more, the publisher describes the book as a map to a more adventurous, wilder future. 

Hewson said: “By lockdown three in a flat with a toddler I had basically taken to stalking Steve and Helen’s Instagrams for ideas for what to do outdoors with a child. Steve and Helen’s family life is unusually wild, but what’s so wonderful about the book they’ve written is how open, approachable and fun it is – whether they’re talking about examining a beetle in the garden or how to take a toddler kayaking. It’s going to open up a whole new world for people who otherwise might not have considered themselves Wildlings.”

Backshall, best known for presenting "Deadly 60" on CBBC, said: "During the first lockdown, when our time outside was rationed, nature became more precious. People craved the outdoors, battled for ways to make the most of nature, half-remembered the things they’d done as kids and now wanted to do with their own wee ones. I’m a new parent, but have been making wildlife programs for kids for 20 years; it’s a delight to share some of those ideas, tips and life hacks with a new generation of families.”

Backshall is an explorer, naturalist, presenter and writer who has written a YA series for Orion Children’s and Deadly 60 books (Bloomsbury Wildlife), plus one adult non-fiction title, Expedition (BBC Books). Glover is the former number one British rower who won Olympic gold twice, as well as being a world, World Cup and European record holder. She was also the first mother to make it back onto the Olympic rowing team — one year after having twins and through training by herself at home during lockdown. 

She said: “This is a book for anyone — from tired parents looking for ideas to inspired families seeking adventure — and I love the thought of this well-worn book sitting on your shelf as your family grows. Sending you out of the door and off on your next outdoor adventure.”