Review: The International Yeti Collective: Shadowspring

I loved the first book in The International Yeti Collective and the second one, Shadowspring is just as wonderful.  It is an action-packed, touching and incredibly satisfying read that left me longing for another yeti adventure. 

Just like in the first book, I loved the yeti naming system which definitely brought smiles and giggles – so very, very clever!  This would be brilliant to try with a class of children – and their teachers if brave enough!

Tadpole is a youngling yeti of the Greybeards sett which is led by her mother, Shipshape.  They are getting ready to welcome the first Gathering of the 19 yeti setts in many, many years; however, they worry about whether the representatives of the International Collective can travel to them using the underground waterways as their home, Shadowspring’s water supply is rapidly diminishing.  Does this have anything to do with the unusual tremors that they are experiencing?

Tadpole’s Grandfather, Snowdrift, has died, but Tadpole still communicates with him and, when her mother is in need of help, Snowdrift offers Tadpole a solution, a solution that leads to him meeting Henry Wetwood …

Henry has been sent to Halbrook Hall boarding school where he hears tales of the legendary Greybeards.  Whilst out on a tramp up the local mountain, he finds himself in danger … and meets Tadpole …

So begins a wonderfully warm and action-packed adventure -and friendship- as Tadpole and Henry learn to trust each other, as they seek to solve the dilemma of the diminishing spring water supply, and as they face a threat to the Greybeards existence …

The friendship and acceptance which develops between Tadpole and Henry is wonderful as they take risks to protect each other and show great courage in the face of danger.  Neither is afraid to break the rules in order to make a difference and stand up for what each believes is right. 

This story has a clear environmental message about the need to preserve, respect and protect our natural resources, and the harm caused to wildlife by plastic pollution and trophy hunting, all issues which are handled sensitively through looking at them from the perspective of the yetis and a young boy attuned to his natural environment. 

The full-page illustrations by Katy Riddell are just glorious, and brilliantly capture the personalities of these wonderful characters and their new friend, complementing the story perfectly. 

Shadowspring is a delightfully warm-hearting adventure which is a brilliant continuation of this gorgeous series, perfect for readers of 8+ who I am sure will be just as captivated as I was by these Greybeards, protectors of the environment.

Thank you to Charlie and Little Tiger for an early review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.