Saving Snowflake: Volume 4

By Author / Illustrator

Nicola Baker

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

ISBN

9781398527256

Format

Hardback

Published

23-10-2025

Synopsis

The fourth book in a warm and beautifully observed farm adventure series from Nicola Baker, star of Our Farm in the Dales. Perfect for readers 8+ and fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Dick King Smith and The Snow Foal. With stunning illustrations from Rachael Dean throughout.

It's winter at Whistledown Farm and there's plenty for Ava to do - from harvesting the holly from the woods to sell at the Christmas market, to helping a hibernating hedgehog, to sledging. Then Ava finds a little kitten wandering up the farm track and suddenly the winter days get even busier for Ava.

'Baker is a gifted writer, and her bucolic adventure harks back to classic farm stories such as those written by Dick King Smith and Michael Morpurgo' The Bookseller

Reviews

Natalie J

Saving Snowflake is the fourth title in the series about Ava's life on Whistledown Farm with her parents, aunt, uncle, cousin, and their friends The Whistlers.

It is now a few months after the end of Meeting Meg and December is just beginning. The new season brings with it different demands of farming life and new activities and adventures await The Whistlers. Ava's puppy, Meg, is now at an age where she can learn how to be a sheepdog with the guidance of Tom and his dog Jet. A hedgehog needs help to hibernate, the group run a stall at the animal sanctuary's Christmas Fair, and they enjoy sledging, but Tom has an accident. A fierce storm hits the farm and threatens Ava's sheep Hope, who has a surprise in store for her. And most significantly, as is the running theme of the series, Ava finds a new animal, this time a kitten, that needs her help.

After reading and enjoying each of the stories in the series, I have come to look forward to Ava's next instalment. Baker is adept at creating a scene and evoking senses, I can picture the warmth of the farmhouse kitchen, feel the scariness of the storm, and Ava's desperation in making sure the animals are okay. I also enjoy seeing Ava develop into a confident, calm, caring, astute, and observant young girl.

There is much scope for this series to run and run along the lines of L. M. Montgomery's Anne series.

320 pages / Reviewed by Natalie McChrystal Plimmer, librarian