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Homeward Bound: The joy of nature and my life outdoors
'We are all the better for his way of seeing the world' Dame Judi Dench
'He is delight and joy personified' - Marian Keyes
'Set to become BBC's next David Attenborough' - DAILY MAIL
'Brings a little bit of joy to us all' - GUARDIAN
Hamza Yassin loves being outdoors in nature. As a child who struggled with dyslexia at school, he always longed to be in the world outside the classroom. Thankfully, due to a forward-thinking teacher who encouraged him to run outside before a lesson, Hamza embraced his love of nature from an early age. There he discovered that his dyslexia allowed him to see the world in a special way.
Homeward Bound tells the story of Hamza's fascination with the outdoors. From learning to ring birds in Wales to chasing orca in Scotland - Hamza explores wildlife across the British Isles and delights in the hidden life that is found there. Throughout his journey, he shows us the wonder of wildlife and how mother nature is a home for us all.
Packed with charming personal stories, including life in the Scottish Highlands, and his adventures as a wildlife cameraman - Hamza shares the joy of nature and shows us how it has made him who he is today.
'He is delight and joy personified' - Marian Keyes
'Set to become BBC's next David Attenborough' - DAILY MAIL
'Brings a little bit of joy to us all' - GUARDIAN
Hamza Yassin loves being outdoors in nature. As a child who struggled with dyslexia at school, he always longed to be in the world outside the classroom. Thankfully, due to a forward-thinking teacher who encouraged him to run outside before a lesson, Hamza embraced his love of nature from an early age. There he discovered that his dyslexia allowed him to see the world in a special way.
Homeward Bound tells the story of Hamza's fascination with the outdoors. From learning to ring birds in Wales to chasing orca in Scotland - Hamza explores wildlife across the British Isles and delights in the hidden life that is found there. Throughout his journey, he shows us the wonder of wildlife and how mother nature is a home for us all.
Packed with charming personal stories, including life in the Scottish Highlands, and his adventures as a wildlife cameraman - Hamza shares the joy of nature and shows us how it has made him who he is today.
- GenresNonfictionNature
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
12 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 13, 2025
I absolutely love Hamzas happy go lucky and positive attitude as it’s similar to my own as well as the fact we are both huge nature lovers and both live in the Scottish Highlands.
Outside of reading being out in nature and wildlife is my most favourite thing. So to read this book was so fascinating.
hamza manages to fill our heads with facts and interesting information about the natural world effortlessly and without the reader even thinking that’s what’s happening. It’s like having a lovely chat with a friend.
So many amazing things I didn’t know and so many things I learnt. Like beavers don’t pat down mud with their tails but they slap their tails as a way of signalling danger.
I really enjoyed reading about all the different animals in all their different habitats and the way Hamza weaves in his own personal stories and humour made this book more interesting than a guide book would.
I really enjoyed learning more about the UK coastline and marine animals as that is something I am really keen on but am not so knowledgeable as not long more to the coast myself.
‘But that’s how I live my life. I start each day ready to be filled with wonder’
I loved this, as it’s definitely how I start my day too!
My favourite chapter was The Highlands, Hamza talking about lots of things that feel familiar like the orca pods, stags and eagles!
Hamza’s infectious passion for the natural world, wildlife and the beautiful landscapes is beyond anything Iv read before he being so much passion, knowledge, humour and love to this book you can’t help but enjoy it.
As a nature lover I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to all nature lovers out there and even if your not, you can effortlessly learn so much without it feeling heavy.
Outside of reading being out in nature and wildlife is my most favourite thing. So to read this book was so fascinating.
hamza manages to fill our heads with facts and interesting information about the natural world effortlessly and without the reader even thinking that’s what’s happening. It’s like having a lovely chat with a friend.
So many amazing things I didn’t know and so many things I learnt. Like beavers don’t pat down mud with their tails but they slap their tails as a way of signalling danger.
I really enjoyed reading about all the different animals in all their different habitats and the way Hamza weaves in his own personal stories and humour made this book more interesting than a guide book would.
I really enjoyed learning more about the UK coastline and marine animals as that is something I am really keen on but am not so knowledgeable as not long more to the coast myself.
‘But that’s how I live my life. I start each day ready to be filled with wonder’
I loved this, as it’s definitely how I start my day too!
My favourite chapter was The Highlands, Hamza talking about lots of things that feel familiar like the orca pods, stags and eagles!
Hamza’s infectious passion for the natural world, wildlife and the beautiful landscapes is beyond anything Iv read before he being so much passion, knowledge, humour and love to this book you can’t help but enjoy it.
As a nature lover I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to all nature lovers out there and even if your not, you can effortlessly learn so much without it feeling heavy.
September 14, 2025
This book was an absolute joy to read! I love how it is packed with nature facts intertwined with personal anecdotes. It was really accessible to read and I flew through the chapters quickly.
I love watching Hamza on TV and his personality really shines out from this book. I feel very inspired to get outside in nature after reading this book.
I love watching Hamza on TV and his personality really shines out from this book. I feel very inspired to get outside in nature after reading this book.
October 25, 2025
this isn't necessarily something i'd usually reach for but i adore hamza and the way he sees the world, so this book ended up being an absolute joy to read. it's given me such fire and motivation to be just like him, and has cemented my love of nature! 5 stars, no doubts.
September 20, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Homeward Bound' by Hamza Yassin
I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to read most books and with this eye catching cover and intriguing synopsis it would have been rude not to pick it up and give it a read! I am also a huge animal lover so seeing that gorgeous dog on the front and knowing it is about nature and animals I just had to give it a read!! I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off and pick up your copy of this great book today. I can promise that you will not regret it!
This book is very well written and completely absorbs you into Hamza's fascinating travel experiences and life watching, photographing and discovering stories about the nature, wildlife and animals surrounding him. His absolutely fantastic descriptions ensure you feel as if you are next to him as he takes you on a journey through his 600 mile journey through nine habitats. In each of the 9 chapters in this fabulous book you will travel with Hamza through each of the landscapes which are Cities & Gardens, Wetlands & Rivers, Heathland, Farmland, Woodland, Meadows & Moorland, Coastlines, Marine and ending in his homeland Highlands in that order. This book is not only fascinating and intriguing but it is a fountain of knowledge and I discovered so many fascinating facts that I never knew about. They say every day is a school day, well pick up this wonderful book and it will fill your brain with so many fascinating and new facts and information that you will be able to impress your friends and family with after. Hamza also writes these information and facts in a way that is so much easier to take in and in a way that it feels like he was having a conversation with you directly. I, personally, am useless with weights and measurements and I love the fact that when he was giving us the height/weight statistics of animals he comes across he gives this information not only in the actual terms of weight such as kg but also states what it compares to, such as a Yorkshire terrier or a jeep, which makes it so much easier to picture so thank you so much for this Hamza! In this book you will discover animals such as otters, butterflies, newts, bees, foxes, bats, fish, eels, birds, snakes as well as trees, landscapes and plants and that's just to name a few!! This book truly is an absolute breath of fresh air and I loved getting lost in the pages. You can read this book over a few days, reading a chapter and discovering a landscape a day or if you are anything like me you will devour it in one sitting of a few hours as I genuinely could not put it down. Each and every single page was filled with a new adventure, new animal or plant and more information and I LOVED it!!! This would make an absolutely perfect gift for any animal, nature, wildlife fans or just anyone looking to go on a sofa holiday where you will discover so much!! This is the type of book that should be made available in schools as children will be able to learn so much through Hamza's brilliant writing while actually enjoy learning at the same time! I absolutely love the fact that his enthusiasm, love of nature and photography and his personality absolutely shone through every single page and I truly felt like I was next to him and on a journey with him from the very first page to the very last! He has managed to weave his nature and travel experiences into a fascinating, intriguing and unputdownable memoir that will keep you hooked. This is definitely one of those books that it really does not matter whether you read it while soaking up the sun in the garden or curled up on the sofa listening to the rain as Hamza completely transport you with him throughout where you will see nature at its best. When I was finished I was actually gutted that I had to "unpack my suitcases" and return to rainy Wales but he has definitely given me a few great ideas on what I can do myself to help encourage wildlife into my garden so another thank you for that Hamza!! It truly is an amazing read packed with adventures, experiences, nature, animals and so much more. I would definitely recommend this book to absolutely anyone looking for a fascinating, intriguing, informative and unputdownable non fiction escapism.
Clear your schedules and get ready to take a journey with Hamza through his journey through nature and his life outdoors.
Congratulations Hamza on a fantastic, intriguing, informative and fascinating read! I absolutely loved learning all the amazing things about nature and wildlife you taught me. Thank You
Overall an absolutely brilliant, entertaining, informative and fascinating experience with nature and the outdoors. An absolute breathe of fresh air!
#HomewardBound #HamzaYassin #Hamzayassin90 #hamzayassin3 #Gaia #GaiaBooks #Hachette #NovelTours #Novel.Tours #Bookstagram
@HamzaYassin @Hamzayassin90 @hamzayassin3 @Gaia @GaiaBooks @Hachette @NovelTours @Novel.Tours
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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
Review for 'Homeward Bound' by Hamza Yassin
I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to read most books and with this eye catching cover and intriguing synopsis it would have been rude not to pick it up and give it a read! I am also a huge animal lover so seeing that gorgeous dog on the front and knowing it is about nature and animals I just had to give it a read!! I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off and pick up your copy of this great book today. I can promise that you will not regret it!
This book is very well written and completely absorbs you into Hamza's fascinating travel experiences and life watching, photographing and discovering stories about the nature, wildlife and animals surrounding him. His absolutely fantastic descriptions ensure you feel as if you are next to him as he takes you on a journey through his 600 mile journey through nine habitats. In each of the 9 chapters in this fabulous book you will travel with Hamza through each of the landscapes which are Cities & Gardens, Wetlands & Rivers, Heathland, Farmland, Woodland, Meadows & Moorland, Coastlines, Marine and ending in his homeland Highlands in that order. This book is not only fascinating and intriguing but it is a fountain of knowledge and I discovered so many fascinating facts that I never knew about. They say every day is a school day, well pick up this wonderful book and it will fill your brain with so many fascinating and new facts and information that you will be able to impress your friends and family with after. Hamza also writes these information and facts in a way that is so much easier to take in and in a way that it feels like he was having a conversation with you directly. I, personally, am useless with weights and measurements and I love the fact that when he was giving us the height/weight statistics of animals he comes across he gives this information not only in the actual terms of weight such as kg but also states what it compares to, such as a Yorkshire terrier or a jeep, which makes it so much easier to picture so thank you so much for this Hamza! In this book you will discover animals such as otters, butterflies, newts, bees, foxes, bats, fish, eels, birds, snakes as well as trees, landscapes and plants and that's just to name a few!! This book truly is an absolute breath of fresh air and I loved getting lost in the pages. You can read this book over a few days, reading a chapter and discovering a landscape a day or if you are anything like me you will devour it in one sitting of a few hours as I genuinely could not put it down. Each and every single page was filled with a new adventure, new animal or plant and more information and I LOVED it!!! This would make an absolutely perfect gift for any animal, nature, wildlife fans or just anyone looking to go on a sofa holiday where you will discover so much!! This is the type of book that should be made available in schools as children will be able to learn so much through Hamza's brilliant writing while actually enjoy learning at the same time! I absolutely love the fact that his enthusiasm, love of nature and photography and his personality absolutely shone through every single page and I truly felt like I was next to him and on a journey with him from the very first page to the very last! He has managed to weave his nature and travel experiences into a fascinating, intriguing and unputdownable memoir that will keep you hooked. This is definitely one of those books that it really does not matter whether you read it while soaking up the sun in the garden or curled up on the sofa listening to the rain as Hamza completely transport you with him throughout where you will see nature at its best. When I was finished I was actually gutted that I had to "unpack my suitcases" and return to rainy Wales but he has definitely given me a few great ideas on what I can do myself to help encourage wildlife into my garden so another thank you for that Hamza!! It truly is an amazing read packed with adventures, experiences, nature, animals and so much more. I would definitely recommend this book to absolutely anyone looking for a fascinating, intriguing, informative and unputdownable non fiction escapism.
Clear your schedules and get ready to take a journey with Hamza through his journey through nature and his life outdoors.
Congratulations Hamza on a fantastic, intriguing, informative and fascinating read! I absolutely loved learning all the amazing things about nature and wildlife you taught me. Thank You
Overall an absolutely brilliant, entertaining, informative and fascinating experience with nature and the outdoors. An absolute breathe of fresh air!
#HomewardBound #HamzaYassin #Hamzayassin90 #hamzayassin3 #Gaia #GaiaBooks #Hachette #NovelTours #Novel.Tours #Bookstagram
@HamzaYassin @Hamzayassin90 @hamzayassin3 @Gaia @GaiaBooks @Hachette @NovelTours @Novel.Tours
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenOldies...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
October 5, 2025
Homeward Bound: The joy of nature and my life outdoors
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish it was brilliant. I love how it is packed with nature facts intertwined with personal anecdotes. I love nature and animals. When I saw this book I couldn't wait to read this and wow it did not disappoint.
This book is very well written and completely absorbs you into Hamza's fascinating travel experiences and life watching, photography, and discovering stories about the nature, wildlife, and animals around him.
This book truly is fantastic, and I loved getting lost in the pages. I read this book in a few days as I genuinely couldn't put it down once I started it. It kept me hooked.
Hamza is very inspirational, and his love for nature, wildlife, and animals is amazing, and the work that he has done and is still currently doing is so inspiring.
Hamza, i absolutely loved learning all the amazing things about nature and wildlife that you have taught me from reading this book, so thank you.
It has made me see the world around us in a completely different way. If you haven't read this yet, I suggest you add it to your TBR as it's a must read its absolutely brilliant and a must-read for anyone who loves nature.
I am looking forward to watching his new show on BBC 1.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish it was brilliant. I love how it is packed with nature facts intertwined with personal anecdotes. I love nature and animals. When I saw this book I couldn't wait to read this and wow it did not disappoint.
This book is very well written and completely absorbs you into Hamza's fascinating travel experiences and life watching, photography, and discovering stories about the nature, wildlife, and animals around him.
This book truly is fantastic, and I loved getting lost in the pages. I read this book in a few days as I genuinely couldn't put it down once I started it. It kept me hooked.
Hamza is very inspirational, and his love for nature, wildlife, and animals is amazing, and the work that he has done and is still currently doing is so inspiring.
Hamza, i absolutely loved learning all the amazing things about nature and wildlife that you have taught me from reading this book, so thank you.
It has made me see the world around us in a completely different way. If you haven't read this yet, I suggest you add it to your TBR as it's a must read its absolutely brilliant and a must-read for anyone who loves nature.
I am looking forward to watching his new show on BBC 1.
September 7, 2025
I am in awe with how positive a man can be! There’s a snippet about Milton Keynes which is where my family also live so to learn about the history of the city and the nature there was lovely. Horse chestnuts 🌰 seem like the most British tree and yet they came from Turkey in the 16th Century!!
“I’d love it if we embraced the bumpy parking spaces… “I’m just trying to grow and when I do it lifts everyone up””.
I felt like this book was therapy. It cleared my mind and made me appreciate the little things in life. I’ve always been a big fan of nature but this book made me appreciate it that much more!
I particularly liked the chapter on coastlines where it goes into detail the differences between common seals and grey seals. I found this really interesting.
I do wish he spoke more about strictly though!! I bet the glitz and glam pushed him really out of his comfort zone but he did SO WELL!
“I’d love it if we embraced the bumpy parking spaces… “I’m just trying to grow and when I do it lifts everyone up””.
I felt like this book was therapy. It cleared my mind and made me appreciate the little things in life. I’ve always been a big fan of nature but this book made me appreciate it that much more!
I particularly liked the chapter on coastlines where it goes into detail the differences between common seals and grey seals. I found this really interesting.
I do wish he spoke more about strictly though!! I bet the glitz and glam pushed him really out of his comfort zone but he did SO WELL!
September 15, 2025
This is a wonderful book shining a light on nature and all things natural. From his childhood struggles at school with dyslexia Hamza looked to Mother Nature’s classroom to learn. He was given his first camera at 12 and went on to form a career through the lens. The book highlights the decline in the UK’s biodiversity, particularly a decline of the habitats needed for many species to survive and thrive. With spotlights on beavers and birds, bats and bees Hamza’s love for nature’s everyday gifts is clearly evident, both on land and water. I loved the photographs of him at the front and back of the book - always smiling, always outdoors, always happiest in Mother Nature. I hope everyone allows rewilding in their gardens a little more. Wildlife needs wildness!
September 11, 2025
We are a family that loves Hamza, from his appearances on Animal Park to his incredible dancing on Strictly we fell in love with his personality and his creativity so we jumped at the opportunity to read his book. One thing I didn't know was that Hamza has dyslexia which is something both my mum and brother struggle with, I think it shows you that once you find your passions in life those challenges make you see the world slightly differently. The talks of the Scottish highlands just makes me want to visit even more, this book is stunning and such a beautiful read
September 11, 2025
Homeward Bound by Hamza Yassin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A well written book about Hamza's love of nature, his joy shines through every page and there were some lovely little anecdotes.
Personally I would have preferred to read more about how he got into wildlife photography and how he got to where he is but nature lovers will love how he explains each habitat and the animals who live there. You can feel his heart and soul in it.
I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A well written book about Hamza's love of nature, his joy shines through every page and there were some lovely little anecdotes.
Personally I would have preferred to read more about how he got into wildlife photography and how he got to where he is but nature lovers will love how he explains each habitat and the animals who live there. You can feel his heart and soul in it.
I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.
September 16, 2025
Homeward Bound is a wonderfully joyful homage to the author’s absolute love of the outdoors.
It's just a happy go lucky book packed to the brim with interesting facts and information on animals and their habitats, and the areas, landscapes and coastlines that the author holds so very dear.
The author adds his own personal experiences and humour, which I enjoyed immensely and his real passion makes this such a joy to read.
Wonderful.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
It's just a happy go lucky book packed to the brim with interesting facts and information on animals and their habitats, and the areas, landscapes and coastlines that the author holds so very dear.
The author adds his own personal experiences and humour, which I enjoyed immensely and his real passion makes this such a joy to read.
Wonderful.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
December 1, 2025
I hadn't heard of Hamza until he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing a few years ago, and I immediately took to him. When this book popped up as a 99p deal, I thought I’d give it a go. It’s not very long, but it’s packed with detailed facts about the state of nature in our country, the risks it faces, and the actions we can take to help. It’s an easy read but also very informative. A powerful book for one so brief - I could happily have read more.
October 7, 2025
I love everything about Hamza.
And this book is a love letter not only to Scotland, but to all of nature. It was a delight to read and one I'll definitely re-read when I feel the need for a little pick-me-up. Wonderful.
And this book is a love letter not only to Scotland, but to all of nature. It was a delight to read and one I'll definitely re-read when I feel the need for a little pick-me-up. Wonderful.
October 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Hamza is so full of enthusiasm for the natural world and it comes over both on the tv and in this book. The book is in chapters about various habitats and Hamza talks about each one and what can be found there including insects! A joy to read.
Read
October 1, 2025BOOK REVIEW
Nature writing | Hardback
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Homeward Bound by Hamza Yassin
I knew of Hamza before he won the Strictly tv competition. He was presenter of the lovely cebeebies tv programme ‘Let’s go for a Walk’ and the whole time I was reading this and in between, I had the theme tune buzzing around my head on a loop. It’s not the song featured here as I couldn’t find it but you get the gist.
Back to the book, I love nature writing and especially by those who know what they are talking about. What I also like about this book is that it’s relatively short and the font is larger than normal and nicely spaced. I’m guessing this is to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read as he has it himself.
Hamza’s enthusiasm is clear on every page, he has anecdotes from his personal experiences in nature and from experts that he interviews for each chapter. The book is broken up into different habitats, from woodlands to farmland to heathland to the highlands. It’s full of fascinating facts and I particularly liked the section on Nightjars and slow worms.
Hamza is clearly passionate about conservation and champions those who have been pioneers in their field of expertise.
I really enjoyed this book and my seven year old who recognised him from the front cover kept asking me questions as I read aloud to him some of the facts about animals that feature in his book.
Book was gifted by @novel.tours in an exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own 😊
Nature writing | Hardback
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Homeward Bound by Hamza Yassin
I knew of Hamza before he won the Strictly tv competition. He was presenter of the lovely cebeebies tv programme ‘Let’s go for a Walk’ and the whole time I was reading this and in between, I had the theme tune buzzing around my head on a loop. It’s not the song featured here as I couldn’t find it but you get the gist.
Back to the book, I love nature writing and especially by those who know what they are talking about. What I also like about this book is that it’s relatively short and the font is larger than normal and nicely spaced. I’m guessing this is to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read as he has it himself.
Hamza’s enthusiasm is clear on every page, he has anecdotes from his personal experiences in nature and from experts that he interviews for each chapter. The book is broken up into different habitats, from woodlands to farmland to heathland to the highlands. It’s full of fascinating facts and I particularly liked the section on Nightjars and slow worms.
Hamza is clearly passionate about conservation and champions those who have been pioneers in their field of expertise.
I really enjoyed this book and my seven year old who recognised him from the front cover kept asking me questions as I read aloud to him some of the facts about animals that feature in his book.
Book was gifted by @novel.tours in an exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own 😊
September 19, 2025
Books like these are a breath of fresh air to someone like me. My anxiety often gets the better of me, making me become reclusive. Through Yassin's writing and his passion for the outdoors, I've learnt to appreciate and not take for granted what's out there on my doorstep.
I took so many notes throughout this book and I learnt so much.
Intertwined with snippets from a life lived to the fullest, Homeward Bound is brimming with Yassin's positivity, his joy de vivre and his radiant charm.
Absolutely delightful and a joy to read...and re-read.
I took so many notes throughout this book and I learnt so much.
Intertwined with snippets from a life lived to the fullest, Homeward Bound is brimming with Yassin's positivity, his joy de vivre and his radiant charm.
Absolutely delightful and a joy to read...and re-read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews