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Holly Webb Books

The Firefighter’s Kitten

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

When Lola’s mum gets a job at a fire station in a different town, it means moving away from all her friends.

Lola is proud of her mum, but she’s really worried about starting a new school.

There is one good thing, though – her parents have promised that they can think about getting a cat!

Then one day Lola and her new neighbour Noah spot a kitten high up in a tree.

It looks scared and soggy from the rain.

A worried crowd forms and the fire brigade are called – including Lola’s mum.

Can they rescue the stray kitten and help find him a new home?

This book was an absolute wintry delight. It begins with the main character ‘Bella’ joining her single mum (her dad died when she was younger which is briefly mentioned) on a exciting adventure to study penguins in Antarctica. It promotes women working in STEM in a setting that is not usually seen in children’s fiction stories. Whilst there, Bella spots an unusual penguin with a pale brown coat instead of the typical black which is integral to the story. What we thought was going to be an adventure about a girl and penguins turned out to have an historical twist with mystery and suspense! This surprise caused gasps and joy from the readers and added to the what was already a lovely story. Interwoven through the book are excellent illustrations which added to enjoyment. This was a brilliant bedtime read and would also be a good classroom story to share for Year 2. There were lots of discussions about vocabulary and meanings, for example, crevasse. From being familiar with Holly Webb’s stories, this felt like a favourite because there was something for everyone- adventure, mystery, suspense, Antarctica and of course, because it’s Holly Webb, ‘animals’. In the words of a 7 year old, after being read the story, ‘It was brilliant!’.

A Girl’s Guide to Spying

Holly Webb

Chapter book

A new series from Holly Webb, A Girl’s Guide to Spying, introduces sisters Phyllis and Annie who join the Guides and soon find themselves wrapped up in a First World War mystery involving secret messages, spies, war secrets and Watergate House – headquarters of MI5.

The Girl’s Guide to Spying focuses a lot on girls being brave and capable. Phyl and Annie show that girls can be trusted, can think for themselves, and can help others, including during hard times like war. This is a great message for young readers, especially girls, and ties well into the book’s interest in the history of Girlguiding, while also touching on Suffragettes, gender stereotypes and the role of women on the home front.

One of the strongest parts of the book is the relationship between the sisters. It shows how important it is to work together, look out for each other, and stay loyal. Children reading this can relate to having siblings or friends and learning how to support one another. The Girl Guide skills in the story also show that learning practical skills, solving problems and working as a team really matter. The book also introduces life during the First World War without being too scary or confusing. It helps children see how normal people were affected and how everyone tried to do their part.

Overall, this book is good for children because it builds confidence and shows that even young people can make a difference. It encourages kindness, courage, and believing in yourself.

The Guinea-Pig Party

Holly Webb & Rosie Butcher

Chapter book

Katy can’t believe her luck when she finds the perfect pet guinea pig hiding in the lettuce patch, but is everything as it seems?

Katy has always longed for a pet of her own, so when a cute ginger-and-white guinea pig turns up in her mum’s vegetable patch, she thinks her dreams have come true!

Katy calls the guinea pig Lettuce, as that seems to be her favourite food, and makes a lovely home for her in an old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden.

But where has Lettuce come from and will Katy really be able to keep her?

Sam the Stolen Puppy

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Sam, a golden Labrador puppy, is Emily’s best present ever! The two become great friends and Emily is sad to leave him at home when she starts back at school. When Sam is stolen from the back garden one afternoon, Emily is desperate with worry. She is determined to get her precious puppy back – but how will she find him?

Timmy in Trouble

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Katie can’t believe it when her parents agree that she can have a puppy. And when she sees the lively Timmy, she’s sure her family will fall in love with him, just as she has. But her sister Jess is worried about how Misty the cat with react to the new arrival. Katie thinks they’ll get used to each other, but things don’t go as planned. Every time Timmy tries to play with Misty he upsets her and gets into trouble. Timmy is so sad. Why doesn’t Misty want to be friends?

The Frightened Kitten

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

When Maddy’s best friend moves away, Maddy feels like she’ll never be able to replace her. To cheer her up, her parents get her a kitten – a gorgeous tortoiseshell who she calls Biscuit. Biscuit quickly settles into her new home, and can’t wait to go out for the first time and explore.

But little does she know that a neighbour’s two big tom cats see the garden as their territory. Together, the mean cats do their best to scare off the new arrival, and soon poor Biscuit is frightened to go out at all and spends most of her time hidden away. Will Maddy ever find a way to help her beloved kitten?

From best-selling author Holly Webb comes another heart-warming animal story.

The Kitten Nobody Wanted

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Mia can’t get over her pet cat Sandy’s death, and can’t ever imagine replacing him. Over the Christmas holidays, she gets to play with her friend’s cat’s kittens. Then Mia’s parents surprise her by saying she can have the last kitten, Whiskers. But although Mia loves him, she feels guilty about Sandy. Can Mia bring herself to keep the new kitten?

From best-selling author Holly Webb comes another heart-warming animal story.

The Lost Bear Cub

David Dean & Holly Webb

Chapter book

Lucy is so excited to spend the summer holidays with her cousins in Canada, but when they tell her to watch out for wild bears in the forest, her excitement turns to fear.

One day, she stumbles upon a bear cub on its own. At first she’s scared, before realizing that the poor creature is lost. Can Lucy help the cub find its mother without also putting herself in danger?

A heartwarming story about family and the beauty of nature from best-selling author Holly Webb.

The Determined Kitten

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Rosie is really worried when she and her dad discover a box of abandoned kittens in the park. They take the litter to a cat fosterer named Sam, who promises to help find them new homes – and Rosie can visit as much as she likes!

When Rosie notices that the youngest kitten, Bill, has trouble with his walking, Sam confirms that he has something called wobbly kitten syndrome, which makes families reluctant to take him in. Rosie knows this isn’t fair – Bill is just as cute as his brothers and sisters! Can she and Sam find anyone to adopt him?

A new story from best-selling author Holly Webb, perfect for animal-loving children, and fans of ZOE’S RESCUE ZOO and MAGIC ANIMAL FRIENDS.

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