LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Award-winning author Katya Balen writes for animal-loving readers of seven and up in this lovely new story.
When Mattie wishes on a shooting star for a puppy, she doesn’t really expect her wish to come true. Her dad is adamant that she’s not ready for the responsibility of caring for a pet so Mattie has to make do with playing with her friend Zoe’s little dog and helping the village vet whenever she can.
When a new vet arrives to do holiday cover with her young son and a menagerie of animals from the rescue centre they run, Mattie and Zoe immediately lend a hand and take along a little puppy they’ve found with an injured paw. (Could it be anything to do with Mattie’s wish …?) Mattie determines that the three friends will help find forever homes for all the animals, even the goat and the ferret but things don’t go quite to plan; can Mattie somehow save the day?
Katya Balen writes beautifully and there’s humour, drama and moments of real tenderness too in this heartwarming story. Black and white illustrations by Gill Smith catch the fun and excitement and bring the characters, human and animal, brilliantly to life.
Andrea Reece
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About
The Appletree Animal Agency Synopsis
The first book in a new series by award-winning creators Katya Balen and Gill Smith, featuring heart-warming adventures for readers who love animals.
When Mattie wishes on a shooting star for a puppy, she knows her wish is hopeless. Her dad just doesn't believe Mattie is responsible enough to look after a puppy. She finds the next best thing when she and her friend Zoë start helping the new vet and animal rescuer, Dr Polly.
Mattie still may not have a pet of her own, but she has amazing adventures rescuing a runaway ferret, trying to stop a greedy goat from eating everything in the garden and looking after an adorable puppy with a hurt paw.
But as the animal rescue gets more and more crowded, Mattie, Zoë and the vet's son, Casper, realize that they need to do something more. Can they help the animals find their forever homes?
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781529519181 |
| Publication date: |
6th March 2025 |
| Author: |
Katya Balen |
| Illustrator: |
Gill Smith |
| Publisher: |
Walker Books Ltd an imprint of Walker Books |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
160 pages |
| Series: |
Appletree Animal Agency |
| Suitable For: |
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| Other Genres: |
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Author
About Katya Balen
Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Katya's debut novel, The Space We’re In, was published in 2019 and was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award. Her second, October, October, won the Yoto Carnegie Medal. Her third novel, The Light in Everything, was published in 2022.
When she’s not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake, and attempt to keep all her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dogs Raffi and Mouse.
More About Katya Balen
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