Jess French

French has lived across the world, from Chile to Thailand. She grew up in Norfolk{{cite news|title=Nottingham student is new face of CBeebies|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-student-new-face-CBeebies/story-20966940-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 June 2015|work=Nottingham Post|date=17 April 2014|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618134046/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-student-new-face-CBeebies/story-20966940-detail/story.html|url-status=dead}} and studied at Norwich School.{{Cite web|url=http://www.norwich-school.org.uk/news/detail.asp?ItemID=12674|title=Norwich School – ON Jess French presents a new show about creepy crawly pets on CBeebies|website=norwich-school.org.uk|access-date=3 November 2016}} She gained a first class degree in zoology at University College London{{cite news|title=ON Jess French presents a new show about creepy crawly pets on CBeebies|url=http://www.norwich-school.org.uk/news/detail.asp?ItemID=12674#.VX6oS_lViko|accessdate=16 June 2015|publisher=Norwich School|date=22 April 2014}} where she was active in the volunteering department, winning awards for her work teaching children about conservation{{Cite web|url = https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1005/10052503|title = Student volunteers scoop award for school project|date = 25 May 2010|publisher = University College London|access-date = 25 April 2016}} and for setting up a sign language society.{{Cite web|url = http://uclu.org/clubs-societies/sign-language-society|title = UCLU Sign Language Society|website = UCLU|access-date = 25 April 2016}} She has studied primates across the world and has a particular interest in gorillas.{{Cite web |last=Falconer {{!}} |first=Daniel |title=Jess French exclusive interview: Minibeast Adventure |url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/jess-french-exclusive-interview-minibeast-adventure-453991.html |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=www.femalefirst.co.uk |date=18 April 2014 |language=en}} She gained her degree in veterinary medicine and surgery from the University of Nottingham and she now works as a small animal and zoo vet.{{cite news|title=Vet student makes CBEEBIES big time|url=http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2014/april/vet-student-makes-cbeebies-big-time.aspx|accessdate=16 June 2015|publisher=University of Nottingham|date=17 April 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Falconer|first1=Daniel|title=Jess French exclusive interview: Minibeast Adventure|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/jess-french-exclusive-interview-minibeast-adventure-453991.html|accessdate=16 June 2015|publisher=Female First|date=18 April 2014}}{{cite web|title=Jess French on BBC Breakfast|url=https://vimeo.com/92935958|via=Vimeo|publisher=Kindle Entertainment|accessdate=16 June 2015|date=25 April 2014}} She can speak fluent Spanish and can use British Sign Language.

French has worked on a number of shows as a wildlife (in particular creepy-crawly) expert including, Live 'n' Deadly (CBBC), Deadly Mission Madagascar (CBBC), Springwatch (BBC) and Micro Monsters 3D (Sky).{{cite web|title=Jess French|url=http://bathliteraryagency.com/client/jess-french/|publisher=Bath Literary Agency|accessdate=16 June 2015|archive-date=17 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617143232/http://bathliteraryagency.com/client/jess-french/|url-status=dead}} Since April 2014 she has presented a series of twenty 9-minute episodes of Minibeast Adventure with Jess on the CBeebies channel. She has also appeared on The Pets Factor,{{Cite web|title=The Pets Factor – Pets Fact-or-Not: Golden Cat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/the-pets-factor-s4-fact-or-not-golden-cat|access-date=2020-09-29|website=bbc.co.uk|language=en}} BBC Breakfast,{{Citation|last=Entertainment|first=Kindle|title=Jess French on BBC Breakfast|date=2014-04-25|url=https://vimeo.com/92935958|access-date=2020-09-29}} Sunday Brunch and Springwatch as well as presenting live lessons for BBC Teach.{{Cite web |title=BBC Bitesize - BBC Teach Live Lessons, Series 5, British Science Week 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001x8nb |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} In December 2022, French appeared alongside Ken Follett, Ria Lina and Susan Collins (artist) on the University Challenge Christmas special, representing University College London.{{Cite web |title=BBC Two - University Challenge, Christmas 2022, UCL v University of Aberdeen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gp01 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}

French co-presents a radio series with Ben Garrod for BBC Radio 4 called Wild Inside, in which she carries out post mortem examinations on exotic species and discusses her findings. She has also appeared on the Infinite Monkey Cage{{Cite web |title=The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 29 - Cats v Dogs - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hbmmdm |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 30 - 'Beastly Bodies' Kids Special - Steve Backshall, Jess French and Adam Kay - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0021bcy |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

On 12 August 2019, she appeared on the podcast Trees A Crowd with David Oakes.[https://www.treesacrowd.fm/dr-jess-french/ Trees A Crowd]

French is one of the UK's top-selling authors of non-fiction books for children. She usually writes on the theme of animals, nature and the environment. In August 2020 she released her debut picture book. Her middle grade series, Beastlands, was developed into an animated immersive experience at Chester Zoo. She also acts as a judge for book awards such as The Week Junior Book Awards{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk/2025 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk |language=en-AG}}

French was one of the 2021 World Book Day authors, with her title 'Protect the Planet', published by DK (publisher).{{Cite web|title=Protect the Planet|url=https://www.worldbookday.com/book/protect-the-planet/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=World Book Day|language=en-gb}}

• Fluttering Minibeast Adventures (Feb 2016){{cite news|last1=Eyre|first1=Charlotte|title=Egmont signs CBeebies presenter|url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/egmont-signs-cbeebies-presenter|accessdate=16 June 2015|publisher=The Book Seller|date=8 April 2015}}
• Tickly Minibeast Adventures (Feb 2016){{Cite web|url = https://www.egmont.co.uk/books/tickly-minibeast-adventures/9781405277563/|title = Tickly Minibeast Adventures – Egmont|website = egmont.co.uk|access-date = 25 April 2016}}
• Born Free Chimp Rescue: The True Story of Chinoise (May 2016){{Cite book|url = https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9781510100534|title = Jess French – Born Free Chimp Rescue – Hachette Children's Group|website = Hachette Children's Group|isbn = 9781510100534|access-date = 25 April 2016|last1 = French|first1 = Jess|date = 5 May 2016| publisher=Hachette Children's }}
• Born Free Bear Rescue (September 2017){{Cite book|url=https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781510100756|title=Jess French – Born Free Bear Rescue – Hachette Children's Group|date=15 May 2019|isbn=9781510100756|language=en-GB|last1=French|first1=Jess|publisher=Hachette Children's }}
• Born Free Cheetah Rescue (November 2017){{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jess-French/e/B01DMG8CPI|title=Amazon.co.uk: Jess French: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=6 January 2018}}
• Minibeasts with Jess French (February 2018)
• How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear (Aug 2018){{Cite web|title=National Trust: How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear|url=https://nosycrow.com/product/national-trust-how-to-help-a-hedgehog-and-protect-a-polar-bear/|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Nosy Crow|language=en-US}}
• Saving Species (October 2018){{Cite web|title=Saving Species|url=http://www.northsomersetteachersbookaward.com/blog/2018/10/13/saving-species|access-date=2020-09-29|website=North Somerset Teachers' Book Award|language=en-US}}
• What a Waste (April 2019){{Cite book|title=What a Waste|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41800246-what-a-waste|access-date=2020-09-29|website=goodreads.com|isbn=978-1-4654-8141-2 }}
• Lost Species (October 2019){{Cite book|url=https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/titles/jess-french/lost-species/9781526361370/|title=Lost Species|date=2019-05-15|isbn=9781526361370|language=en-US|last1=French|first1=Jess|publisher=Hachette Children's }}
• The Book of Brilliant Bugs (March 2020){{Cite book|last=French|first=Jess|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B082LYXBV4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4|title=The Book of Brilliant Bugs|others=Claire McElfatrick|date=27 February 2020|publisher=DK Children}}
• Slow Down, Monkey (Aug 2020){{Cite book|last1=French|first1=Jess|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B083QJC68X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6|title=Slow Down, Monkey!|last2=Kuijl|first2=Eefje|date=6 August 2020|publisher=Buster Books}}
• Let's Save Our Planet: Forests: Uncover the Facts. Be Inspired. Make A Difference{{Cite book|last=French|first=Jess|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782409513/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10|title=Let's Save Our Planet: Forests: Uncover the Facts. Be Inspired. Make A Difference|others=Alexander Mostov}} (October 2020)
• Protect the Planet – World Book Day book (March 2021)
• Earth's Incredible Oceans (April 2021){{Cite book|last=French|first=Jess|title=Earth's Incredible Oceans|others=Claire McElfatrick|id={{ASIN|0241459141|country=uk}}}}
• Cat Chat{{Cite web|title=Cat Chat|url=https://nosycrow.com/product/cat-chat/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Nosy Crow|language=en-GB}} (July 2021)
• How to Be a Vet and Other Animal Jobs{{Cite web|title=How to Be a Vet and Other Animal Jobs|url=https://nosycrow.com/product/how-to-be-a-vet-and-other-animal-jobs/|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Nosy Crow|language=en-GB}} (July 2021)
• Puppy Talk{{Cite web|title=Puppy Talk|url=https://nosycrow.com/product/puppy-talk/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Nosy Crow|language=en-GB}} (Jan 2022)
• It's a Wonderful World (March 2022){{Cite web|title=It's a Wonderful World by Jess French: 9780744050189 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691148/its-a-wonderful-world-by-jess-french/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=PenguinRandomhouse.com|language=en-US}}
• Bella Loves Bugs{{Cite web|title=Bella Loves Bugs: Volume 2 : Jess French : 9780711265608|url=https://www.bookdepository.com/Bella-Loves-Bugs-2-Jess-French/9780711265608?ref=grid-view&qid=1641854900041&sr=1-22|access-date=2022-01-10|website=www.bookdepository.com}} (April 2022)
• Billy Loves Birds{{Cite web|title=Billy Loves Birds: Volume 1 : Jess French : 9780711265561|url=https://www.bookdepository.com/Billy-Loves-Birds-1-Jess-French/9780711265561?ref=bd_ser_1_1|access-date=2022-01-10|website=www.bookdepository.com}} (April 2022)
• My Mum is a Spy – with Andy McNab. (August 2022){{Cite web |title=Andy McNab leaves Transworld for 'significant long-term partnership' with Welbeck |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/andy-mcnab-leaves-transworld-for-significant-long-term-partnership-with-welbeck |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}
• Pedro Loves Saving the Planet – (April 2023)[https://www.quarto.com/books/9780711267756/pedro-loves-saving-the-planet]
• Ava Loves Animals (April 2023){{Cite book |url=https://www.quarto.com/books/9780711267718/ava-loves-rescuing-animals |title=Ava Loves Rescuing Animals |date=2023-04-20 |isbn=978-0-7112-6771-8 |last1=French |first1=Jess |publisher=Happy Yak }}
• Pets and their People: The Ultimate Guide to Caring For Animals - Whether You Have One or Not! (April 2023){{Cite book |last=French |first=Jess |title=Pets and Their People: The Ultimate Guide to Caring For Animals – Whether You Have One or Not! |date=2023-04-06 |publisher=DK Children |isbn=978-0-241-58508-5 |language=English}}
• Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain (Jan 2024) {{Cite web |title=Piccadilly Press bags fantasy adventure trilogy from TV presenter and zoologist French |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/piccadilly-press-bags-fantasy-adventure-trilogy-from-tv-presenter-and-zoologist-french |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}
• The Animal Body Book (June 2024) {{Cite web |title=The Animal Body Book |url=https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241700945-the-animal-body-book/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=dkbooks |language=en}}
• Around the World in 80 Endangered Animals (October 2024) {{Cite book |url=https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/titles/jess-french/around-the-world-in-80-endangered-animals/9781804537633/ |title=Around the World in 80 Endangered Animals |date=2024-05-08 |isbn=978-1-80453-763-3 |language=en-US |last1=French |first1=Jess |publisher=Hachette Children's }}
• Beastlands: Legend of the Crystal Caves (March 2025){{Cite book |url=https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/551989 |title=Beastlands: Legend of the Crystal Caves |language=en-GB}}
• Bug Snacks: How Eating Insects Can Change the World (May 2025){{Cite book |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jess-french/bug-snacks/ |title=BUG SNACKS {{!}} Kirkus Reviews |language=en}}

French won the Jane Goodall Global Youth Leadership award in 2010 for setting up a program to teach children about environmental issues.{{cite web|title=Jane Goodall Global Leadership Awards 2010|url=http://www.janegoodall.org/events/jane-goodall-global-leadership-awards-2010|publisher=The Jane Goodall Institute|accessdate=16 June 2015}}

In 2015, French was named number 43 on BBC Wildlife magazine's Power List of conservation heroes.{{cite news|last1=Price|first1=Jo|title=UK's top 50 conservation heroes|url=http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/uk-top-50-conservation-heroes|accessdate=7 May 2016|work=Discover Wildlife|date=26 June 2015}}

French's book 'Fluttering Minibeast Adventures' was nominated for the 2017 Educational Writers' Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.alcs.co.uk/news/2017-educational-writers-award-ewa17-codes-inventions-all-creatures-great-small|title=ALCS {{!}} 2017 Educational Writers' Award: CODES & INVENTIONS & ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL|website=alcs.co.uk|access-date=6 January 2018}}

In 2022, French's book 'Earth's Incredible Oceans' won a Gold Nautilus Award{{Cite web |title=Nautilus Winners – Nautilus Book Awards |url=https://nautilusbookawards.com/nautilus-winners/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |language=en}} and 'It's a Wonderful World' was named 'Top Value Toy' in the 2022 Right Start awards.

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Category:Alumni of University College London

Category:Alumni of the University of Nottingham

Category:BBC Radio 4 presenters

Category:British children's television presenters

Category:British non-fiction writers

Category:British veterinarians

Category:People educated at Norwich School

Category:Television personalities from Norfolk

Category:British women zoologists

Category:Writers from Norfolk