On January 1, 1906, Edith Holden made the first entry in a diary which was to record the countryside through the changing seasons of that year. The words, all carefully written by hand, include her favorite poems, personal thoughts, and her observations on the wildlife surrounding her home in the village of Olton, Warwickshire. The exceptionally beautiful paintings of birds, butterflies, bees, and flowers on every page reflect her deep love of nature. They have been executed with a naturalist's eye for detail and the sensitivity of an artist.
Edith Holden's diary was written to encourage her pupils at Solihull School to learn about nature. After Edith's death, the book passed down through her husband's family until it came into the possession of her great-niece Rowena Stott. In 1976, Rowena approached Webb & Bower, who suggested publishing a facsimile edition, which first appeared in 1977. It immediately became a record-breaking international best-seller with over 5 million copies sold in 13 languages, but has been out of print for several years.
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