When Willow crosses the boundary to the patch of woodland behind her house, something amazing happens: she enters The Wilderness, where magic and nature collide…
At a time when children are questioning their impact on the natural world more and more, Willow Wildthing is a celebration of the power of nature and a rallying call to be curious, resilient, and adventurous.
Inspired by Gill Lewis’s own childhood spent playing in the woods, this new series brings her passion for immersing children in nature to slightly younger readers than her previous award-winning novels, which include White Dolphin and Scarlet Ibis. Willow’s adventures are designed to inspire young readers to seek out their own wild places, celebrating the importance of unstructured and imaginative play as a way of encouraging creativity.
Win the book!
To celebrate the publication of the first Willow Wildthing book, we’re giving five lucky winners the chance to win a copy!
In The Wilderness, Willow meets the Wild Things, a group of children who have taken on the characteristics of the wild creatures they are named after. What wild creature would your child be? Simply comment on the pinned competition post at the top of the Oxford Owl Facebook page to enter.
UK residents only. Entry closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 29th March 2020.
Terms and Conditions apply (PDF).
About the book
Please note: all book links lead to more information on Amazon.co.uk
Willow Wildthing and the Swamp Monster
Gill Lewis and Rebecca Bagley | Age 7+
When Willow meets the Wild Things, she knows her life is never going to be the same again.
Strange things happen in The Wilderness. It holds more than you could possibly imagine: secrets, shadows, a witch. Even a monster. Are you brave enough to come? Because the moment you step across the boundary, you’ll be changed forever.
About the author and illustrator
Gill Lewis
After realising her childhood dream of becoming a vet, Gill worked in the UK and overseas, everywhere from Africa to the Arctic. Her books have sold over a quarter of a million copies in the UK, been translated into more than 20 languages, and have won awards including the Little Rebels Children’s Book Award and the UKLA Children’s Book of the Year. She lives in Somerset with her family and menagerie of animals, and writes from a tree-house, in the company of squirrels.
Rebecca Bagley
After graduating from a BA in Graphic Communication, Rebecca started out in children’s publishing as an assistant designer, and just didn’t leave! Though she still designs content for children’s publishing from time to time, she is mostly busy being an illustrator, which involves drawing and colouring things in, like a real grown up.
Book extras
YouTube playlist: Gill Lewis
Award-winning children’s author Gill Lewis talks about writing, her latest books, animals, and the environment.
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Willow Wildthing and the Dragon’s Egg
Gill Lewis and Rebecca Bagley | Ages 7+
The Wild Things discover another group of children – The Bark Skins, but they’ve taken over their camp, and won’t give it back. This means war.
Willow Wildthing and the Shooting Star
Gill Lewis and Rebecca Bagley | Ages 7+
When Willow meets the Wild Things and crosses into The Wilderness, she knows her life is never going to be the same again. In this story the Wild Things look to the sky to watch a meteor shower unlike any other . . .
Magical Kingdom of Birds: The Sleepy Hummingbirds
Anne Booth and Rosie Butcher | Age 6+
When Maya colours the pages of her special colouring book, she is transported to a beautiful realm filled with magnificent birds and their fairy friends.
But the kingdom is in trouble – evil Lord Astor has a plan to capture and cage the tiniest residents, the hummingbirds – and as Keeper of the Book it’s up to Maya to protect them.
