Jess French


Jess French is a British television personality, veterinarian and author. She is the presenter of a television programme called Minibeast Adventure with Jess which has aired on CBeebies. French is also a best-selling children's author and a regular contributor to science, music and literary festivals such as Hay Festival, Edinburgh festival, Cheltenham Science Festival, Bath Festival of Children's Literature, Latitude and Norwich Science Festival and printed press such as The Guardian, BBC Wildlife, The Week. She is a patron of Norwich Science Festival and children's ambassador for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Early life and education

French has lived across the world, from Chile to Thailand. She grew up in Norfolk and studied at Norwich School. She gained a first class degree in zoology at University College London where she was active in the volunteering department, winning awards for her work teaching children about conservation and for setting up a sign language society. She has studied primates across the world and has a particular interest in gorillas. 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. She can speak fluent Spanish and can use British Sign Language.

TV career

French has worked on a number of shows as a wildlife expert including, Live 'n' Deadly, Deadly Mission Madagascar, Springwatch and Micro Monsters 3D. 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, BBC Breakfast, Sunday Brunch and Springwatch as well as presenting live lessons for BBC Teach. In December 2022, French appeared alongside Ken Follett, Ria Lina and Susan Collins (artist) on the University Challenge Christmas special, representing University College London.

Radio

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 Saturday Live, the The [Infinite Monkey Cage|Infinite Monkey Cage], and a number of other podcasts and radio shows.
On 12 August 2019, she appeared on the podcast Trees A Crowd with David Oakes.

Books

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 fantasy 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, The Wainwright Prize
French was one of the 2021 World Book Day authors, with her title 'Protect the Planet', published by DK (publisher).
  • Fluttering Minibeast Adventures
  • Tickly Minibeast Adventures
  • Born Free Chimp Rescue: The True Story of Chinoise
  • Born Free Bear Rescue
  • Born Free Cheetah Rescue
  • Minibeasts with Jess French
  • How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear
  • Saving Species
  • What a Waste
  • Lost Species
  • The Book of Brilliant Bugs
  • Slow Down, Monkey
  • Let's Save Our Planet: Forests: Uncover the Facts. Be Inspired. Make A Difference
  • Protect the Planet – World Book Day book
  • Earth's Incredible Oceans
  • Cat Chat
  • How to Be a Vet and Other Animal Jobs
  • Puppy Talk
  • It's a Wonderful World
  • Bella Loves Bugs
  • Billy Loves Birds
  • My Mum is a Spy – with Andy McNab.
  • Pedro Loves Saving the Planet –
  • Ava Loves Animals
  • Pets and their People: The Ultimate Guide to Caring For Animals - Whether You Have One or Not!
  • Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain
  • The Animal Body Book
  • Around the World in 80 Endangered Animals
  • Beastlands: Legend of the Crystal Caves
  • Bug Snacks: How Eating Insects Can Change the World
  • An Anthology of Remarkable Bugs

    Awards

French won the Jane Goodall Global Youth Leadership award in 2010 for setting up a program to teach children about environmental issues.
In 2015, French was named number 43 on BBC Wildlife magazine's Power List of conservation heroes.
French's book 'Fluttering Minibeast Adventures' was nominated for the 2017 ALCS Educational Writers' Award.
In 2022, French's book 'Earth's Incredible Oceans' won a Gold Nautilus Award and 'It's a Wonderful World' was named 'Top Value Toy' in the 2022 Right Start awards.