Review: Willodeen

Willodeen is the most beautiful, heart-warming and magical story:  a story of finding friendship, family and of appreciating nature and its interdependence.  Just an absolute joy of a story that brought smiles and tears.

Willodeen lives in Perchance, a village which suffers hardship through fires which have been responsible for the loss of Willodeen’s family.  She is a loner who finds solace and healing in nature and loves all creatures, but especially the unlovable ones such as the Screechers, creatures who are despised in the village and who are hunted to almost extinction.  She also has a pet hummingbear (just gorgeous!) who has survived the fire and, due to an injury, is unable to return to the other hummingbears.

Perchance attracts an influx of tourists to its Autumn Faire to see the hummingbears who migrate there during the winter months to build glistening bubble nests in the blue willow trees.  The Faire provides a much-needed source of income for the village so they are understandably worried when the hummingbears stop visiting Perchance.  What has caused this disaster for the village, and is there anything that can be done to encourage their return?

When Willodeen is given a birthday present by local boy Connor, her angry tears have a magical effect upon it. Could this present lead Willodeen to a discovery that could save the creatures she loves?  Can she find the strength to speak up for the animals she adores and to help restore the vital connections between animals and plants? 

I loved the environmental messages within this story as the reader is shown the importance of the interdependence between creatures and their environment, and the need to respect and care for all animals.  I also really enjoyed how the village ends up coming together to help each other and thereby growing stronger as a community.

Willodeen is an incredibly sympathetic young girl:  gentle, fierce and empathetic. She has buried the pain of the loss of her family, and suffers from recurring nightmares about the fire which cost them their lives whilst struggling with feelings of guilt.  She is a loner who has a real affinity with nature, and is able to see what others cannot.  I loved her developing friendship with Connor who is a kind-hearted, artistic boy who makes the most wonderful sculptures.  I love how Connor just accepts Willodeen for who she is and gives her the space she needs to develop their friendship.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and complement the warmth and charm of this story perfectly.

This is a mesmerising, magical adventure with a warm and fuzzy heart that readers of 8+ will absolutely adore.

Thank you To Toppsta and the Publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.