The Island Vet (4) - The Winter Snow Goose

By Author / Illustrator

Gill Lewis, Irina Avgustinovich

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008770006

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-11-2025

Synopsis

As autumn turns to winter on Gull Haven Island, a snow goose crash-lands amidst a storm. Tia and Nat jump to the rescue in this heartwarming tale from Gill Lewis.

The arrival of a rare snow goose heralds the start of a very harsh winter for the Haven Islanders. They have to deal with long power cuts, and when the boats can't make it over from the mainland, they start to run out of food and other supplies.

In this dark time, Tia and Nat find a creative way to bring the islanders together in a celebration of light and community that will help see them through to the better days ahead.

Particularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.

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Reviews

Amanda

Gill Lewis has a real skill for combining detailed knowledge of the natural world and a griping story which will engage children.

This fourth book in the Island Vet series, The Winter Snow Goose is set on the island in winter and follows the challenges that this brings as well as the joy.

This beautifully written story is filled with inspirational descriptive phrases which readers could magpie for their own work. The facts about nature are a consistent thread through the story and would leave the readers with new knowledge about migration and migrating birds, among other things, from the natural world.

The Winter Snow Goose would be a perfect class books, allowing discussions about the chosen vocabulary. It would work well as a focus reading book for early chapter book readers, as well as vocabulary, I would focus on character profiles and plot development.

This series is a must have for early chapter book readers and libraries. This series is well loved in our book corners and I know that the Winter Snow Goose will be no different.

72 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher