Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty

Dara McAnulty is a 16 year old nature lover, activist and environmental campaigner. He also happens to be autistic. This book is a diary chronicling a year in his life from the age of 14, as he de cribes his many profound encounters with nature, as well as giving little insights into how his autism interacts with the other aspects of his life. This book gives an incredibly honest, genuine and positive depiction of how Dara’s autism is expressed and what helps him. I particularly loved how he spoke about the special bond his family share (his Mum and all three children have autism) and how his parents work incredibly hard to explain and prepare the children for new social situations, including preparing conversation topics in advance and recognising when they need to escape when things are getting too much. Dara speaks openly about his experiences of bullying and depression and how getting into nature and campaigning for environmental change have brought him relief and purpose. This book is a beautiful reflection on nature and family and, as a reader; you cannot help but feel inspired.