Where do you go when you've watched every David Attenborough documentary, or read all of Gerald Durrell's wildlife diaries? Until recently there was a big gap in nature writing; just when we craved more detail and beauty about the world, the books go specialist - veering between microscopic information about cells or big picture eco disaster.

Which is why, once you start reading The Book of Barely Imagined Beings, it becomes hard to stop. It's a unique concept, a 21st century bestiary mixing facts in an A-Z format (from limb-regenerating Axolotols to Zebrafish embryos), pulled together by superbrain journalist Caspar Henderson. And when I say superbrain, just check out the index...

But what is a bestiary? Expect 27 essays each inspired by a particular letter of the alphabet (lucky X gets two) which twist through science, beauty and literature.

You can dip from Quetzalcoatlus to Waterbear and back again, or start at the beginning and on your reading journey be presented with unforgettable peeks into the natural world. For example, did you know the mantis shrimp Gonodactylus "has the fastest genitals in the West and will use them to smash your head with massive force"?

It's a book you will want to reread but may be hard to share. Just using the Gonodactylus as an example as Henderson meditates on powerful little critters, he introduces us to super-sight above and below water, then takes us on a philosophical journey about optics via a teenage hiking trip in Norway which led him to a patch of wildflowers. Suddenly nature can't exist without philosophy.

Expect to be glued to this 400+ page tome as much by the facts as for the honest humour - and know the intellectual burden will be lightened by gorgeous illustrations.

I also loved the fat margin peppered with quotes and homilies, such as these lines from a Chinese poem claiming: "the true measure of a mountain's greatness is not its height but whether it is charming enough to attract dragons". Who else had forgotten that on their bid to reach the top of Scafell Pike before the weather turns?

With the natural world in such a precarious state, and the oceans simultaneously raped for their wealth and a dumping ground for modern rubbish, it is easy for those who care for the planet to be close to despair.

Step forward The Book of Barely Imagined Beings - essential Earth-affirming reading, and a superb celebration of biodiversity. Be warned: budget to buy more than one copy because how else are your friends and family going to benefit from the wit and wisdom of a modern bestiary?

About Nicola Baird

Nicola Baird is an author, environmental writer and blogger. Choose between low carbon travel at aroundbritiannoplane.blogspot.com; eco-friendly childcare at homemadekids.wordpress.com and portraits of people living and working in Islington, London, islingtonfacesblog.com More at www.nicolabaird.com