Willa and her albino wolfhound Woof live in a cul-de-sac called Cricklewood Crescent. She has three best friends.

Woof – her best four legged friend

Tae – her best same-age friend

Frank – her grumpy neighbour and best old-age friend

Willa is always busy, chattering to Frank, hanging out with Tae and talking about his costume for the week, or walking Woof at the park.

Frank was once an accomplished medal winning pigeon fancier, with a flock of racing pigeons. Now he only has one in his backyard aviary. Her name is Mimi.

Willa is worried. Frank’s last pigeon is missing. Is she responsible for Mimi’s disappearance? Doing everything she can to solve the Mimi mystery, Willa discovers an even bigger problem. Frank has vanished too!

After a bird seed snatch, Woof’s insistence on investigating a junk pile, and lots and lots and LOTS of bird poo, Willa may just get everything back to normal.

Willa is a friendly, bubbly 8 year old. Her grumpy neighbour’s demeanor is no match for Willa’s bright personality, especially when she considers one of the best things in the world is to make him laugh. This honest sweetness in Willa makes her almost invincible against Frank’s dourness, and it’s wonderful to read.

Sprinkled with expressive black and white illustrations throughout, this new junior chapter book series by the author of the Alice Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kendra and Max series’ is going to be a real treat.

Willa and Woof is delightful and had me hooked early. I’m sure it will capture junior readers too.

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Illustrator – J Yi

Age – 7+

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