Snail, Moose and Owl are three of the latest titles in Reaktion Books' (www.reaktionbooks.co.uk) Animal series, which includes 34 books ranging from Ant to Whale. On Thursday 26th November at 7pm, authors Jonathan Burt, Kevin Jackson and Peter Williams will talk about their contributions to the Animal series at Blackwell's Bookshop, 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford. The evening will also feature a book signing by Desmond Morris.

Jonathan Burt, series editor and author of Rat will talk about how he conceived of this highly acclaimed series in the early 2000s and introduces the latest authors to be published.

Peter Williams, author of Snail, will talk about this much-loved, yet much-loathed, little animal. He asks us to reconsider the snail as a dignified, ancient creature that deserves our respect.

Kevin Jackson's Moose, – a ‘whimsical, witty and very entertaining survey’, according to The Guardian – shows how this noble creature has played its part in human history.

Desmond Morris, the legendary zoologist and writer, and author of The Naked Ape and The Human Animal, has now written the beautifully illustrated Owl. In his latest book he investigates one of nature's most popular and intriguing creatures. He will be present to sign copies of this latest addition to the Animal series.

Tickets for the evening cost £2 from the Customer Service Dept, 2nd Floor, Blackwell Bookshop, Oxford (tel 01865 333623).