The Appletree Animal Agency

By Author / Illustrator

Katya Balen, illus Gill Smith

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books

ISBN

9781529519181

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-03-2025

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 Zoe 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, Zoe and the vet's son, Casper, realize that they need to do something more. Can they help the animals find their forever homes?

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Reviews

Sue

Wishing on a shooting star for the puppy she desperately wants, Mattie knows it won't happen as her Dad just doesn't believe she is responsible enough yet to properly look after one. However, when she and her friend, Zoe, find a tiny, scruffy puppy in need of help, she rises to the challenge and meeting the new vet, Dr Polly and her son, Casper, all three children become 'apprentice vets'. Together, they care for all manner of pets, but soon realise that these creatures need to find homes of their own. That's when Mattie has one of her madcap Mattie schemes…

The Apprentice Animal Agency is the first book in a new series which is sure to be a huge hit with young animal lovers. It offers a wonderful blend of gentle adventure, humour, friendship and mishaps, making it perfect for those who are after a well-written, engaging tale which is not packed with peril or fart jokes!

Mattie, Zoe and Casper are three really nice kids who are not fixed to their phones, but are keen to be hands on and active by helping look after animals. Zoe is highly organised, Casper 'knows everything' about animals and Mattie has a way with them, making the perfect team. However, not everything goes smoothly, showing each child's flaws as well as their strengths. Each problem is overcome and the friends emerge stronger than before, offering reassurance and showing the importance of seeing things through and solving problems.

There is a real focus on care for animals which shines through this story. Mattie is desperate for a puppy, but Dad is keen to make sure she is responsible enough to look after one. On finding a puppy, who Mattie calls Luna, the children show great patience and understanding, waiting for it to be ready to come to them rather than rushing it. Each of the pets being rehomed is carefully matched to their new owner, considering the needs and well-being of both. It is not often that the thought needed when considering adopting a pet is shown in children's stories so this is wonderful to see!

I look forward to reading the second book in the series, 'Collie Chaos'!

160 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher