Get to know the icky but important MUD that keeps nature running!

It's time to show MUD some LOVE! This book is an icky, drippy celebration of the incredible work mud does all day long. Mud is a home, a defence, a climate protector, a work of art and lots and lots of fun, too!

Icky World takes a look at the science of the messiest parts of nature and reminds us all to protect these icky but important bits of our precious planet. Each book has been reviewed and endorsed by an expert in the relevant branch of science and supports curriculum learning in the areas of science and ecology for ages 6 and up.

In praise of Icky World: We Need MUD!
"Mud is a much neglected topic. Today with a fear of dirt and germs we avoid and hide away from mud and peat and similar revolting substances. However, we all need to embrace the muddiness of our world which helps the ecological wheels turn and supports all manner of wonderful wildlife and also importantly food production too. So far from avoiding mud, peat, and similar ooze and goo, we must protect and nurture our muddy world. Indeed, I would go further and advocate how adults and children alike must be champions for Icky Ecology, seize the moment and squelch the mud pies. Only then will you achieve truly muddy enlightenment. Read this book and enjoy."
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, Professor of Environmental Geography, Reader in Tourism and Environmental Change and author of Peatlands: Ecology, Conservation and Heritage

Just some of the contents of Icky World: We Need MUD!:
How does your garden grow?, icky PEAT, muddy beasts, amazing mud burrows, icky ecosystems, muddy building, mud art, muddy history, muddy problems and how to stick with mud ... and save our world!

Titles in the series:
We Need MUD
We Need SLIME
We Need POO
We Need FUNGUS

In praise of mud
Mud is a much neglected topic. Today with a fear of dirt and germs we avoid and hide away from mud and peat and similar revolting substances. However, we all need to embrace the muddiness of our world which helps the ecological wheels turn and supports all manner of wonderful wildlife and also importantly food production too. So far from avoiding mud, peat, and similar ooze and goo, we must protect and nurture our muddy world. Indeed, I would go further and advocate how adults and children alike must be champions for Icky Ecology, seize the moment and squelch the mud pies. Only then will you achieve truly muddy enlightenment. Read this book and enjoy.
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, Professor of Environmental Geography, Reader in Tourism and Environmental Change and author of Peatlands: Ecology, Conservation and Heritage

Addy Farmer (Author)
Addy is a children's author, published with poetry, picture books and young fiction. Her middle grade fiction has won a New Writing North award and been shortlisted with Mslexia and Writementor.

She has worked with charities, including Child Bereavement UK, on books to support their work with families and children. She leads indoor children's workshops for museums, schools and arts centres as well as outdoor workshops on finding creativity in the landscape. Addy is a trustee for a literacy trust.

She has a keen interest in medieval history, cycling and old ruins. She is also a big fan of her local lowland peat bog with all its glorious flora, fauna and folklore.

Scott Garrett (Illustrator)
Scott Garrett, freelance illustrator living in the UK, has worked for clients nationally and internationally, including Vodafone, Nestle, VW, GQ, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Business Week, Klutz Books, Faber & Faber and Random House.