The Appletree Animal Agency
Illustrated by
06 March 2025Synopsis
The joyful first book in a heart-warming and cosy animal rescue series from Carnegie-winner Katya Balen and beloved illustrator Gill Smith, for readers who love animals and all things vets.
"A huge heap of fun!" Ross Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Rebel
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?
Set in the cosy village of Mossdale in the lead up to their village fête, this uplifting animal and friendship story is the perfect gift for readers age 6, 7, 8 and 9. And don't miss the friends' next snowy adventure as they try to help a cheeky puppy at Christmas in The Appletree Animal Agency: Collie Chaos!
"Balen has a wonderful gift for blending humour and emotion and this heart-warming animal adventure overflows with both." Daily Mail
Details
06 March 2025
9781529519181Reviews
Balen has a wonderful gift for blending humour and emotion and this heart-warming animal adventure overflows with both.
[a] sweet story about an animal-loving girl […] Balen is a beautiful writer and this series is sweet, gentle, escapist, and warm.
With its adorably determined heroine and animal escapades, this is a heartwarming start to a series.
A beautifully written and illustrated story to delight young animal lovers… 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.
