Nic Bishop (born 1955) is a British-born New Zealand-American author and photographer specializing in children's non-fiction literature, particularly in the fields of natural history and biology. He is widely recognized for his macro and high-speed photography, which provides detailed visual documentation of small animals, insects, and amphibians.
Bishop was born in the United Kingdom and spent much of his childhood in various countries, including Sudan and New Guinea, where he developed an interest in the natural world. He earned a doctorate in plant biology from the University of Nottingham. This scientific background serves as the foundation for his literary work, which aims to present biological facts and ecological concepts to young audiences through a combination of accessible prose and high-resolution imagery.
His photographic technique often involves specialized equipment to capture rapid movements or microscopic details. This is exemplified in his "Nic Bishop" series, which includes titles such as Nic Bishop Spiders (2007), Nic Bishop Frogs (2008), Nic Bishop Marsupials (2009), and Nic Bishop Snakes (2012). These books typically focus on the physiological adaptations and behaviors of the subjects.
In addition to his solo projects, Bishop has collaborated extensively with author Sy Montgomery on the "Scientists in the Field" series. Notable collaborations include The Tarantula Scientist (2004), Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea (2006), and Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot (2010).
Bishop’s work has received significant critical acclaim within the field of children’s informational books. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, Orbis Pictus Honors, and inclusion on various American Library Association (ALA) notable book lists. He currently resides in the United States.