3B Livres

"The best of BB brings together in one volume some of the best writing and illustration by Denys Watkins-Pitchford - better known as BB. This edition has a larger typeface and improved layout from the original which was published to celebrate BB's eightieth birthday in 1985. This beautiful anthology contains extracts from all his books for adults, and few short extracts from this timeless children's books as well. From stories of wild-fowling in the far north of Scotland to night fishing for carp in dark Midland pools, from his famous books about the white goose, Manka the Sky Gipsy, to the Little Grey Men (winner of the Carnegie Medal) there is something here for everyone who loves the British countryside and its wildlife."

Dodder, Baldmoney, Cloudberry, and Sneezewort are found tucked up in their cosy home, next to the Folly, for winter. But, when they're awakened from their sleep with the news that the Folly is drying up, they pack up their belongings and head off in their boat to find a new home where they can be safe. Along the way, they face many dangers.

This timeless tale introduces readers to Dodder, Baldmoney, Cloudberry, and Sneezewort . . . the last four gnomes in Britain. The brothers live a happy and peaceful life until the day that Cloudberry decides to go and explore. When he doesn't return the remaining three brothers build a boat and set off on an adventure of their own to find him.

Carp are the big game of the inland angler, and in this book 'BB' tells of some of his experiences with this very sporting fish, how they may be caught or at any rate hooked, and what is the particular charm of their pursuit. He has included the fascinating stories of other people who have brought specimen carp to the bank.BB's readers will know that he was an expert fisherman and that he has, beyond his great technical knowledge and experience, the power to communicate the meditative atmosphere which has accompanied the art since Walton's days. 'Carping' takes place in warm, summer weather and usually in lovely lily-strewn waters. The author's gift of descriptive writing has seldom been better displayed.First published in 1950, and instantly beloved by fisherman, whether they fish for carp or not, Confessions of a Carp Fisher is a much prized addition to any fishing library.This reprint features an updated look including new jacket artwork and a foreword by Chris Yates who explains why, half a century after it was first published, BB's advice about carp and carp fishing are as fresh and fascinating as ever.The illustrations by Denys Watkins-Pitchford are some of the finest examples of his scraperboard art.

‘After a day on the moors, stubbles, or a woodland day, I like to take up a book beside my fire and read of other good long days past and gone. Such I have tried to make this volume.’ – BBFirst compiled by BB in 1946, he aimed to create a book which was largely composed of the best descriptive writings on the sport of shooting. These pages are packed with evocative and stirring passages for sportsmen to enjoy after a day out and during the long winter evenings.The extracts chosen represent some of the greatest writers from Richard Jefferies to the poet John Masefield.BB himself, one of the most evocative writers on the countryside, is well represented in both his writings and his fine scraperboard illustrations.

This re-issue of BB's classic memoir will be enjoyed by all who appreciate fine country writing, and who believe passionately in the resilience of Mother Nature, despite the follies of mankind.Denys Watkins-Pitchford (better known as BB) wrote these wonderful essays on the English countryside in the 1930s - a time of peace and renewal between two world wars. The book was finally published in 1941 when, as BB puts it, England was 'in the darkest hour of our history.'BB captures here in words and sensitive wood engravings the wonders of English wildlife and countryside.Includes essays

"This is a selection of the best essays from the celebrated classic fishing anthology, first compiled in 1945 by 'BB', one of Britain's best-loved naturalists. There are tales of salmon and trout with sections on coarse fishing: carp, tench, barbel, perch, roach, bream, pike and chub. The 'Bishop Browne' story of the giant salmon that was hooked in 1896 where the Earn flows into the Tay and fought for ten hours before the line went slack, cannot fail to arouse a thrill in all fishermen, and there are other classics and less famous fishing incidents in Britain and abroad. The fine and distinctive scraperboard illustrations by Denys Watkins-Pitchford ('BB') all appeared in the original edition of The Fisherman's Bedside Book. Ian Niall in his introduction describes how BB's artistic vision and naturalist's observation enabled him to look at the reeds and rushes, the ancient pollarded willow by the pool and the duck shedding water droplets from frantically beating wings as it springs into the air, and to capture them in illustration and word. The Fisherman's Bedside Book brings together this rare combination of Denys Watkins-Pitchford's skills with some of the best writing from fishing people for fishing people."