Across gardens, parks and countryside, the natural world is changing. Many of the animals we grew up spotting without a second thought are now facing real challenges. Habitats are shrinking, food sources are disappearing, and wildlife is having to work harder than ever to survive. While this can feel overwhelming, there is also hope. The future of wildlife does not belong to scientists and organisations alone. It belongs to the next generation.
The Unlikely Friends was created with this belief at its heart. The series introduces young children to British wildlife through storytelling, imagination and character, helping them build a connection to nature from an early age. Rather than focusing on fear or loss, these stories invite curiosity, empathy and small actions that feel achievable for families.
Why bees need the help of the next generation
Bees play a vital role in pollinating plants and flowers, yet they are struggling as wildflower habitats disappear. With fewer flowers to feed from, bees must travel further and work harder to survive. Buster the Clumsy Honeybee introduces children to pollinators through humour and warmth, helping them understand why flowers, gardens and wild spaces matter. Simple actions such as planting flowers or letting areas grow wild can make a real difference.
Fact reference: Bumblebee Conservation Trust, British Beekeepers Association.
Why hedgehogs need safe spaces and open pathways
Hedgehogs once travelled freely through gardens and hedgerows, walking up to a mile each night in search of food and shelter. Today, solid fences, brick walls and closed-off gardens often block their routes. Humphrey the Grumpy Hedgehog’s story focuses on the importance of safe spaces, food sources and, most importantly, helping him complete his nightly mile. By creating small gaps, leaving access points and providing quiet, sheltered areas, humans can help hedgehogs move safely through the landscapes they depend on.
Fact reference: Hedgehog Street, People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
Why foxes need understanding and places to retreat
Foxes are not endangered in the same way as some wildlife, but they do face uncertainty as human spaces continue to expand. Living alongside people can be challenging, and foxes often need quiet places to hide, rest and raise their young. Fino the Frightened Fox explores the idea of retreat and adaptation, helping children understand that wildlife sometimes needs distance as much as attention. Natural cover, wild corners and respectful boundaries all help foxes coexist more peacefully with humans.
Fact reference: The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust.
Why frogs need reliable water and living habitats
Frogs depend on water throughout their lives, but the challenge they face is not just about cleanliness. It is about reliability. Ponds, streams and water sources are disappearing or drying out, leaving frogs with fewer places to feed, hide and breed. Frogs also rely on the plants, insects and pond life that grow around water, as these create shelter and food and help the whole habitat stay balanced.
Freddy the Noisy Frog introduces children to the idea that water is more than just a puddle or a pond. It is a living space, full of movement and life, where frogs feel safe enough to be loud, busy and themselves. By protecting water sources and allowing them to support plants and insects, we help frogs continue their noisy, important role in the natural world.
Fact reference: Froglife, The Wildlife Trusts.
This is just the beginning. The world is full of stories waiting to be told, and who knows who the next set of Unlikely Friends might be. The aim is to grow a brand that connects with young people through characters they can fall in love with, encouraging them to step outside, explore the little things, and build a lasting connection with the natural world around them.
If you would like to meet Buster and begin your Unlikely Friends journey, Buster the Clumsy Honeybee is available to buy now for UK delivery. Join the adventure and take the first small step towards raising a new generation of nature guardians.