Woodland Magic 4: Operation Owl

Children aged five plus will enjoy listening to the book, and it is perfect for those aged seven plus to read independently. I love the new Woodland Magic book series and I was keen to find out what adventures Cora, Jax and their friends would have. I like the idea that in the middle of a wood near me there are fairy-type creatures getting up early every morning to make the natural world even more wonderful. These stories help me to think more about my local environment and how I can do my bit to make it a better place for wildlife.

In Operation Owl, the fourth of the Woodland Magic books, Cora and Jax are now fully trained Keepers. They have a pond to clear up in the Autumn. To reach the pond they have to pass a barn where some Ruffins (humans) are staying. Cora gets scared each time she has to go to the pond but holds her nerve. Will Cora be caught by a Ruffin again? On one journey home from the pond they hear an owl in destress. Will Jax and Cora be able to help the owl without being hurt?

During the story, Cora and her friend have to make a small ladder to help them climb a human ladder. The way in which the author writes this section of the book makes me feel like I was there making the ladder myself.  Descriptions like these will encourage children to get out their and make things from whatever they have around. The Woodland Magic books will go on my children's shelves and in the school library.

128 pages / Reviewed by Jen Bevan, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Right from the very beginning of Operation Owl (Woodland Magic 4), I was hooked. The topic of clearing the floating leaves from the pond and looking after nature is very important, now more than ever. The language of 'the dark was melting away' was just beautiful. As I read on, I started generating questions; who or what were Cora and Jax? What were the Ruffins which had caught Cora a few weeks ago?

As I read on, the answers quickly came. Cora and Jax are magic folk who live in the Whispering Woods and Riffins are humans. This beautifully read story is brimming with drama and excitement based on an environmental theme. Cora and Jax have just been promoted to full 'Keepers'. The Keepers are a secretive tribe of little people who live in the middle of Whispering Woods, caring for the countryside and rewilding it when humans (or Ruffins as they know them) are careless with it.

Cora and Jax are horrified when they find a mouse stuck in a packet and a barn owl caught in a tree by a discarded fishing line, but disaster strikes as the owl takes off with Jax still on its back! This leads to an exciting but dangerous adventure; will they make it home in time for the Harvest celebrations?

The beautiful illustrations by Katy Riddell, in black and white, add to the drama, pace and sense of adventure. The combination of animal rescue, nature conservation and exciting adventure makes it attractive and relevant to our children today and is sure to be a favourite in classrooms and libraries. This would make a great class reader or study text for guided reading, but I can also see children snuggled up somewhere quiet reading it from cover to cover. This is a wonderful addition to the Woodland Magic series.

128 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+