Branching Out: Books for Fans of Holly Webb

Much-loved children’s author Helen Peters delivers another beautiful wildlife tale with An Otter Called Pebble, perfect for lower KS2 readers and in particular, animal lovers.

Jasmine and Tom rescue a tiny otter cub, Pebble, from the river. Before the pair know it, they face a race against time to reunite Pebble with her elusive family.

As with Helen Peters’ other animal rescue stories, this book is filled with hope and determination, empowering children to make a difference to the natural world around them. Its short chapters and line illustrations offer an enjoyable adventure alongside fascinating insights into protected wildlife, making it an ideal independent read for Year 3.

Fun, sweet, and innocent, this new series by celebrated author Katya Balen is sure to be a hit with emerging independent readers.

This first book introduces us to Mattie and her friends, as well as the likeable inhabitants of Mossdale, the rural village she calls home. Mattie wants nothing more than a dog of her own, but her dad says she’s too young. When she happens upon a stray who is the pup she’s always dreamed of, before long, she and her friends are doing everything they can to keep it from getting out of control!

Short chapters and quirky illustrations scattered throughout the text, which is written in a larger font, make this a great book for helping readers grow in confidence. The only problem is that it’s going to leave readers everywhere desperate for a super cute dog of their own!

Ava is struggling with the fact her parents have left her with her Auntie Kitty, Uncle John and cousin Tom. She understands the work they do is important and she couldn’t go with them but she is apprehensive about spending the time on a farm. Ava is used to living in a town and doesn’t know anything about farming. Ava decides to try her best and help out as much as possible while she is there. As she is starting to learn about farm life she finds a lamb that she is worried about. She decides to take it to the farmhouse to keep us safe. Ava names the lamb ‘Hope’. She spends the rest of her time at the farm doing everything she can to help home, complete chores and get to know her cousin Tom. Tom doesn’t know Ava and gives her a hard time about her lack of knowledge when it comes to farming. Ava feels all alone and that Hope is her only friend. The story ends with Ava having noticed some strange things are happening on the farm. She tries to tell Tom but he doesn’t believe her and it ends with Ava stopping a serious crime but losing Hope in the process.

This animal book gives a real insight into farming life and what life would be like on a farm for children. It goes through the highs and the lows of caring for animals in detail. The illustrations in this book help to bring everything to life. A brilliant read.

Clementine is a mouse, born in a laboratory with her brothers and sisters, genetically altered to be super intelligent. One day, one of the researchers ‘rescues’ her and one of her brothers, leaving them to be looked after by an elderly man and his visiting grandson. The two humans have to think of a plan to keep the mice safe and prevent the lab from taking them back.

Written as letters Clementine sends in her head to the laboratory chimpanzee Rosie, the story gathers pace as Clementine realises what her fate might be if she is returned to the lab.

This is a wonderful book; I could not put it down. It is both an exciting adventure and a plea not to use animals in experiments. With echoes of Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh (Robert C O’Brien) and even the Queen’s Gambit (Walter Tevis), the reader follows Clementine with bated breath and learns that while some humans are very bad indeed, others can be kind and good. This is a heart-warming story, filled with humour and love.

A classic book for children, this poignant animal story has been a treasured choice for 7-9 year olds for decades.

Inspired by the author’s own experiences looking after pigs on a farm, this book tells the story of farmer’s daughter Fern, who requests to save Wilbur, the runt of the litter of pigs, and keep him as a pet instead. Wilbur soon befriends a spider called Charlotte, who concocts a fantastic plan to save him when she hears his life is in danger.

Exploring themes of friendship, loyalty and animal life cycles, this beautiful book has earned its place as a classic of children’s literature and is a story that is well-loved and not easily forgotten.

A beautifully heartfelt and moving story with strong environmental themes. This story highlights the topic of global warming, but also draws a picture of the wonderful connection that can develop between children and animals.

When April heads to a remote Arctic island with her father, who is there for scientific research, she’s not sure exactly what to expect. The trip to ‘Bear Island’ has the potential to be a very lonely trip – with endless summer Arctic nights, an isolated wilderness and, according to her father, no actual polar bears left on the island for April to spot despite its name.

Surprisingly, April encounters a real polar bear on the island when nobody else is around. Isolated from his family, the bear is starving and alone, with nobody to help him. Over time, a friendship develops and April becomes more determined than ever to save the bear. 

There’s something magical about this story – from the wonderfully evoked Arctic setting to the glorious friendship that develops between April and the bear. This is a powerful and important story that will stir the heart through its gently unfolding message that places hope in the hands of the young to make a difference in the planet’s future.