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Find out moreHolly Webb was born and grew up in south-east London, but spent a lot of time on the Suffolk coast. As a child, she had two dogs, a cat, and at one point, nine gerbils (an accident). At about ten, Holly fell in love with stories from Ancient Greek myths, which led to studying Latin and Greek, and eventually to reading Classics at university. She worked for five years as a children's fiction editor, before deciding that writing was more fun, and easier to do from a sofa. She started writing several years ago while working as a children’s books editor. She has written over ninety books including the Animal Stories, My Naughty Little Puppy and Maisie Hitchins series for Stripes Publishing. Holly has also written In The Clever Little Kitten for World Book Day and a sequel to The Secret Garden. Holly Webb lives in Berkshire with her husband, children and three cats.
Author photo credit: Nigel Bird
Young readers will very much enjoy Holly Webb’s typically touching new story, in which a mischievous cat works magic across the generations. Bel is staying with her grandma in her new home, an old house converted into flats for the elderly. Sneaking out early to enjoy an unexpected snowfall, she befriends a cheeky white cat but is surprised when she meets his owner, a young girl the same age as herself, but very different. In fact Bel has travelled back in time and because of her magical meeting with Snow and Charlotte, a young girl’s life is saved. Filled with warmth and love and with a neat balance between jeopardy and security, this is rounded off in the most satisfying way possible. A snowy treat!
A magical, wintry tale that will make the perfect Christmas gift for fans of Holly Webb.
In a nutshell: warm, inspiring animal story When Isabelle comes face to face with a beautiful snow leopard in her local zoo an amazing adventure begins. She goes to bed tucked up with her snow leopard toy but wakes up in a ger, a Mongolian yurt. Only the little girl of the family can see her and they quickly become friends. Odval takes Isabelle up into the mountains and shows her a family of snow leopards. Odval loves them but her family want them gone because they are preying on their sheep. Can the girls protect the leopards? This is a lovely story of friendship starring some of the most beautiful animals on the planet; readers will be inspired to find out more about snow leopards and how they can help them survive in the wild. ~ Andrea Reece
In a nutshell: gentle but exciting time slip evacuee story In Holly Webb’s careful hands this time-slip evacuee story is filled with excitement, adventure and warmth. Travelling by train to see her grandma and great-grandma, Tilly falls asleep and dreams herself into the past. She experiences the same journey as taken by her great-gran as an evacuee over 70 years ago, and lives through the weeks that followed as her great-gran settled into life on a remote farm house on the Welsh borders. Young readers will be fascinated, and entranced by Tilly’s special friendship with the farm’s collie Tarran, who turns out to be a hero. A warm-hearted story that will live on in its readers’ imaginations. ~ Andrea Reece
In a nutshell: gentle, heart-warming story of friendship and ghost animals The second book in this charming new series takes us back to Penhallow Hall in Cornwall. It’s the new home of ten year old Polly, who is now friends with some of the Hall’s unusual ghosts, including two wolfhounds, Rex and Magnus. They’re not the only ghost animals at Penhallow, and together they meet the spirit of a feisty little Pekingese called Li-Mei, who has a secret and quite sad history to share. Holly Webb tells the story with just the right mixture of adventure and wistfulness, and this will be a very satisfying story for young readers. Jason Cockroft’s beautiful and atmospheric illustrations make this even more appealing. There are more ghost animals in Claire Barker’s Knitbone Pepper series, and readers would also enjoy The Snow Sister by Emma Carroll. ~ Andrea Reece
In a nutshell: lonely little girl makes friends with ghostly animals Polly and her mum are leaving London for Cornwall. Their old home has very sad associations after Polly’s father died in an accident. Mum has a new job as house manager at a stately home, Penhallow Hall. They both love it from the start, and the house seems to take to Polly – magically the statue of a huge wolfhound at the hall’s entrance comes to life for her, and becomes her friend. There are more ghosts at Penhallow, including a boy Polly’s age with a tragedy of his own to deal with. Despite themes of loss and loneliness this gentle story will leave readers happy and hopeful. Polly’s ghostly friends are a comforting, reassuring presence, linking past and present, proof that time heals. Jason Cockcroft’s atmospheric illustrations are simply gorgeous. There are echoes of Tom’s Midnight Garden in Polly’s story and readers could move on to Penelope Lively’s A Stitch in Time or Emma Carroll’s The Snow Sister. ~ Andrea Reece
Best-selling Holly Webb tells a touching time-slip story set against an evocative wintery background. It’s Christmas and Amelia’s family are staying in an old house with lots of unused rooms. When Amelia goes exploring in the attic she finds a hidden dairy and is transported back to meet the boy who wrote it. He is desperately trying to save an abandoned wolf cub. Travelling through time to do so, Amelia does all she can to help him. Holly Wells captures the children’s affection and intensity for the young cub they are so keen to see thrive. ~ Julia Eccleshare
In a nutshell: a seasonal story of snow, cats and happy endings! Young readers will very much enjoy Holly Webb’s typically touching new story, in which a mischievous cat works magic across the generations. Bel is staying with her grandma in her new home, an old house converted into flats for the elderly. Sneaking out early to enjoy an unexpected snowfall, she befriends a cheeky white cat but is surprised when she meets his owner, a young girl the same age as herself, but very different. In fact Bel has travelled back in time and because of her magical meeting with Snow and Charlotte, a young girl’s life is saved. Filled with warmth and love and with a neat balance between jeopardy and security, this is rounded off in the most satisfying way possible. A snowy treat! ~ Andrea Reece
With delightful illustrations throughout, this is a lovely tale about a young girl coping with change and discovering that friends can be found in the most unlikely of places. Sophie has just moved to Paris and although it’s a beautiful and exciting place to live she misses her old house, her friends and her cat called Oscar. Struggling to make friends at her new school she is finding it hard to settle in to her new life, until that is, she meets Josephine. Josephine who wears a pink tutu, adores Lavender Macaroons and just happens to be a Guinea Pig. Soon Sophie discovers that there is far more than meets the eye to Paris and beneath the grassy slopes leading to the Sacré Coeur. With Josephine’s help Sophie begins to enjoy her new home and also discovers the courage to stand up to mean girl Adrienne, who bullies her once too often at school. Sophie's Squeaky Surprise is a wonderful start to Holly Webb's heart-warming, humorous series. ~ Shelley Fallows
Holly Webb writes gentle, warm-hearted adventures that young readers absolutely love and there is lots for them to enjoy in this story. Laura’s summer is set to be a bit of a wash out - she lives in a seaside resort and her mum manages holiday cottages so they can’t go away. A group of teenagers have rented one of the houses and brought with them an adorable King Charles spaniel puppy called Henry. Unfortunately they’re all too busy having fun to look after him properly – step up quiet, caring Laura who knows just what the little puppy needs. Stories like this give girls like Laura the happy ending they deserve, and a way is found for Henry to become her dog. A happy, sunshiney treat for readers. ~ Andrea Reece
Anya loves playing with Molly, the gorgeous cockapoo, on her holiday at the seaside. But when Molly's owners head home and leave their cute pup behind, it's up to Anya to get them back together again. This is a wonderfully heart-warming read from bestselling author Holly Webb. This title and the other 30 in the series are perfect for fans of Magic Animal Friends and Animal Ark and great for reluctant readers too as they will be hooked on the first one they read and then gallop through the rest. If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
This is a wonderfully heart-warming read and the 30th in the Animals series from bestselling author Holly Webb. This title and the others in the series are perfect for fans of Magic Animal Friends and Animal Ark. In this one, Lucy falls in love with a local stray kitten, but the cat is too young to look after herself, and with nobody to care for her, Lucy is worried where she will go and decides only she can help. If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
Emi looks forward to her weekend visits to her dad's, but she's sad that her Shiba Inu puppy, Rina, can't come too. During the school holidays, Emi visits her dad for four whole days, and Rina is restless - what if Emi doesn't come back? Determined to find her owner, Rina escapes and heads to the last place she saw Emi - the railway station... If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
A moving story about coping with loss from bestselling author Holly Webb. Kate's grandfather has died and she's missing him desperately. Her Mum wants Kate to talk about it, but it only makes Kate angry. Granddad has gone and he's never coming back. At least she has her toy tiger, Amos, to keep her company. It was a present from Granddad, and somehow holding him close makes Granddad seem less far away. But she doesn't expect Amos to turn into a real tiger - a big, comforting, friendly tiger who smells of Granddad, and sounds like him too.
Best-selling Holly Webb tells a touching time-slip story set against an evocative wintery background. It’s Christmas and Amelia’s family are staying in an old house with lots of unused rooms. When Amelia goes exploring in the attic she finds a hidden dairy and is transported back to meet the boy who wrote it. He is desperately trying to save an abandoned wolf cub. Travelling through time to do so, Amelia does all she can to help him. Holly Wells captures the children’s affection and intensity for the young cub they are so keen to see thrive. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Three lovely kitten stories to treasure, from best-selling author Holly Webb: Sky the Unwanted Kitten, Ginger the Stray Kitten and Misty the Abandoned Kitten. Holly Webb's Animal Stories have sold over a million copies in the UK. From stolen kittens to lost puppies and runaways, Holly's tales of puppies and kittens have won her legions of fans. The perfect series for animal lovers aged six and up. If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
Helena is helping out at a vet's surgery when a young cat is rushed in with a major injury - will they be able to save him? If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
Bella adopts a friendly mongrel puppy, but will she be able to prove that rescue dogs are just as good as pedigree dogs to her friend at school? If you love Holly Webb's Animal Stories you'll adore this new app perfectly designed to appeal to children 5+ and released to coincide with the 30th story in this lovely series, The Secret Kitten. It's full of exciting activities, games, puzzles, baking ideas and creative fun plus there's an exclusive short story too! There are no adverts and it's absolutely free and the content is available offline so you can play it anywhere! Find out more here.
Packed with mystery and adventure this is perfect for readers aged six to eight years. Charming girl-detective Maisie Hitchins is always on the look-out for a new mystery to solve. Even while her grandmother keeps her busy running errands Maisie keeps her eyes and ears open and is always quick to spot a clue. When Professor Tobin’s rare wooden feathered mask goes missing Maisie is quick to get on the case! Soon Maisie is following an exciting new the trail in this fun to read adventure full of interesting details.
Tia adores Milly, her new Bengal kitten. Everything about Milly is perfect! When Tilly hears that there are cat thieves in the area she knows she must do everything she can to keep Milly safe – even if that means keeping her shut indoors which Milly hates. When Milly goes missing Tia is distraught. Luckily, there is a very happy ending.
The Reindeer Girl is an enchanting winter’s tale of a very special friendship from much-loved author Holly Webb, which will delight her loyal fans everywhere and perfect for reading during those long dark nights by the fire. In a sumptuous hardback edition with beautiful illustrations throughout, this is a perfect gift for Christmas and a tale that children will want to return to again and again.
May 2013 Book of the Month The super-sleuthing qualities of a great girl detective make a gripping story line in the first of this brand new series. Maisie Hitchin is always busy running errands for her demanding Grandmother but she has a great nose for mystery which leads on her some exciting adventures. This time, she solves the mystery of the butcher’s boy and the missing money and rescues an abandoned puppy. Could the two be related? In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for The Case of the Stolen Sixpence a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'It is a very exciting book because Maisie has to keep lots of secrets....I really recommend this book.'. Scroll down to read more reviews...
In her second adventure, The Case of the Vanishing Emerald, famed star of the stage Sarah Massey is distraught after her beau, a mysterious young man, gives her a priceless necklace which goes missing. Maisie is instantly on the case, and decides to investigate the theatre, but nothing is what it seems in the world of make believe… With illustrations by Marion Lindsay, these thrilling books will delight fans of Holly Webb and inspire a generation of budding detectives!
A wonderful gentle story featuring a girl who wakes up to find herself in a world of ice with only a polar bear cub for company. Together they lose themselves in an enchanting journey through the wilderness - will she find her way back in time for Christmas?
Alfie has always loved playing in the overgrown garden next door. It is here he plays with Penguin, an enormous black-and-white cat, a stray who Alfie has claimed as his own. But when his next door neighbour's granddaughter, Grace, comes to live with her, she decides Penguin belongs to her.
When she was younger, Ellie used to love watching the hares leap and play on the common with her mum. But with every year that goes by since she lost her mum, it's getting harder for Ellie to remember her and those happy memories. Until one day on the way home from school, Ellie finds an injured hare on the path. The poor animal looks so scared, she has to do something to help. Nursing the hare back to health will be a big responsibility, but it might just be Ellie's chance to feel close to her mum again... A touching story about family from best-selling author Holly Webb.
Ruby's dad has arrived home with a wonderful surprise - Coco the sausage-dog puppy! And when the family go on holiday to the seaside, of course Coco will be coming too. The beach is such an exciting place for a dog, and Ruby and Coco can't wait to spend the day splashing in the waves and playing in the sand. But disaster strikes when Coco disappears. Suddenly she's lost and all alone on the huge, busy beach ... Will she ever find her way back to Ruby? Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage-dog tale!
The second fantastic book in this series about four friends who want to make the world a better place. Izzy and Willow are being taken for a walk along the river by Emily's boisterous dog, Billy, when he decides to chase after a water-rat. Both animals land in the river, which is so choked with rubbish that Billy can't get out. His paw is stuck in an old bike wheel and the girls must work to free him. The adventure gives Izzy a great idea for their next project, though, and it's a very very muddy one... A brilliant series about the small changes that make a big difference from bestselling author Holly Webb. With cover illustration by Owen Gildersleeve. Look out for: Earth Friends: Fair Fashion
Isabella is nervous about moving in with her mum's new husband and his son, Sam. Then she finds out that Sam has just got a gorgeous new puppy. She can't wait to play with Honey and take her on lots of long walks! When Sam goes to visit his mum, Isabella is left in charge of looking after Honey. Isabella organizes a videocall with Sam as she can tell the little dog is missing him. But the call upsets Honey and she runs away. Can Isabella find the puppy before Sam comes home? 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.
Researching her school project on Fairtrade has been a real eye-opener for Maya. She loves clothes and is appalled to find that her favourite sparkly T-shirts are made by poor children in other countries who lead very different lives from her own, privileged one. She knows she must do something about it, but how can she make a difference without revealing her pop star secret to the world? A brilliant series about four friends who know you're never to small to make a big impact! From bestselling author Holly Webb. With cover illustration by Owen Gildersleeve. Look out for: Earth Friends: River Rescue
The paw-fect present for kitten-mad children and fans of the Holly Webb ANIMAL STORIES series! Packed with feline fun, from fantastic facts to tricky puzzles, a diary for special occasions to a heart-warming story by Holly Webb - there's plenty to keep kitten-lovers entertained. With a special heart-shaped lock and key and gorgeous illustrations, this is a journal to treasure throughout the year.
Brave, clever and never more than a whisker away from adventure! When the museum's visitors are gone for the day, it's time for the cats to come out to play... The kittens can't wait for the museum's first ever sleepover! Especially Bianca, who loves being fussed over. So much so that when she goes missing, the others worry that she may have run away with the children. But the rats have also been sniffing around the school party. Could the kittens' old enemies be the ones behind Bianca's disappearance? The third in a charming new series from Holly Webb. Purr-fect for fans of the OTTOLINE books and THE ROYAL RABBITS OF LONDON.
The second book in Holly Webb's darkly magical series for readers aged 9 and up - join the 85,000 readers who have fallen in love with Rose's world! Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, and now an apprentice to the King's chief magician! But when the country's beloved Princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumours of dark magic fly through the city, the King asks Rose for help. She must find the missing Princess - before all is lost. Discover more by Holly Webb with her Lily and Magical Venice series - also filled with magical adventures.