Book published to tie in with Radio 4's Nature Table

Thursday 9th November 2023, 8:42am

A Housefly Buzzes In The Key Of F is a new book linked to Radio 4 comedy series Nature Table
Featuring a foreword by host Sue Perkins, it delivers "fascinating facts on all things flora and fauna"
Author Simon Nicholls, who produces the radio series, says the book is "full of amazing funny natural history facts"

A new book based on the award-winning Radio 4 comedy series Nature Table has been published.

A Housefly Buzzes In The Key Of F, which is out today, promises "fascinating facts on all things flora and fauna".

Nature Table, hosted by Sue Perkins, launched on Radio 4 in 2020 and has, so far, run for 19 episodes across three series. The format, which won Silver in the Comedy category at this year's ARIAs, takes the simple format of a 'show and tell'. Each episode sees Perkins joined by guests from the worlds of comedy and natural history who bring items linked to the wild world to share with the audience.

The show, which is recorded at London Zoo in front of an audience, has the brief: "To positively celebrate and promote the importance of all our planet's wonderfully wild flora and fauna in a fun and easily grasped way... whilst at the same time having a giggle".

The new tie-in book has been written and compiled by Simon Nicholls, the producer of the radio series. The blurb explains: "The natural world is an amazing, compelling and funny place: a place where fact is always more staggering - and often funnier - than fiction. Based on BBC Radio 4's hit science and comedy series Nature Table, and with a foreword from the show's presenter, Sue Perkins, A Housefly Buzzes In The Key Of F is a celebration of the astonishing everyday occurrences that happen right under our noses. With fascinating facts from the programme's expert guests along with big jokes, witty anecdotes and fun games, this bumper collection showcases our planet's flora and fauna in all its remarkable and surprising glory."

Nicholls says: "When I was at school, I didn't click with science - I found it boring. So, I'm pleasantly surprised that I've ended up producing a BBC comedy wildlife show hosted by Sue Perkins and have now put together a book full of amazing funny natural history facts. Sixteen-year-old me would shake his head in despair and call me a nerd."

The 240 page book, distributed by Bonnier Publishing, is available now in hardback or eBook formats. Nicholls has also recorded an audiobook version, available from all regular audiobook platforms.

Read the foreword by Sue Perkins and an extract

Nicholls has also published a video in which he reveals some of the subjects the book covers:

A Housefly Buzzes In The Key Of F

By Simon Nicholls

Fascinating Facts on All Things Flora and Fauna.

Did You Know That...

A housefly buzzes in the key of F?

A cockroach can live for a week without its head, before dying of starvation?

Slugs have four noses? So, if you thought that couldn't get slimier, now imagine them with a cold.

The fingerprints of a koala are so indistinguishable from humans that they've been confused at a crime scene?

During its lifetime, a cow can produce nearly 200,000 glasses of milk? Which is extraordinary, because where is it getting all those glasses?

The natural world is an amazing, compelling and funny place: a place where fact is always more staggering - and often funnier - than fiction. Based on BBC Radio 4's hit science and comedy series Nature Table, and with a foreword from the show's presenter, Sue Perkins, A Housefly Buzzes In The Key Of F is a celebration of the astonishing everyday occurrences that happen right under our noses. With fascinating facts from the programme's expert guests along with big jokes, witty anecdotes and fun games, this bumper collection showcases our planet's flora and fauna in all its remarkable and surprising glory.

First published: Thursday 9th November 2023

Hardback

eBook

Audiobook