Willa and and her albino wolfhound Woof are looking forward to their new job. They are going to be visiting residents in the Sunset Views retirement home in their street. Also helping them will be Willa’s best friend Tae.

Mr Babbar, (the Manager at Sunset Views) thinks that a visit from cheerful Willa and Tae and well behaved Woof will be appreciated by those people who don’t receive many visitors, so he gives them some pointers first by showing them a video. Soon they are ready to go, with special badges to wear.

Willa Tait – Professional Animal Handler

Tae Jin Miller – Assistant in charge of treats

Woof – Support Dog Superstar

While in the staffroom of Sunset Views, Willa sees a list of resident’s birthdays. Her favourite neighbour Frank is going to be turning 80 very soon. Despite warnings against the idea, she knows she must give him a party. Everybody loves a birthday party, don’t they?

Beginning the week with a new job, a party to plan and her best hairy friend and same-age friend by her side, Willa is excited. But then things begin to go wrong. The Sunset View visits don’t go to plan, she can’t find anyone to help with Frank’s party and she loses something personal and precious. Were Tae and Mr Babbar right? Maybe the party is a bad idea after all.

No.2 in this sweet new series about an 8 year old girl, her giant dog and happenings on her street of Cricklewood Crescent. Willa is a kind and determined character, keen to make people smile. Her friendship with her elderly neighbour is gorgeous as they know each other’s quirks well and their interactions are heart warming.

Her positivity does effect people around her, even those she is wary of. But in her Willa way, she puts kindness first and even they appreciate her thoughtfulness.

Like a modern Anne of Green Gables, Willa Tait is keen to cheer everyone up, fix problems she might see and make the world, (or at least her street), a better place.

Looking forward to episode 3 in Jan 2023 – Grandparents for hire.

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Illustrator – J Yi

Age – 7+

Willa & Woof Word Find Activity here

Read more reviews of books in this series (Click on a Cover)

(2022, Penguin, Series, Animals, Friendship, Family, Humour, Mystery, Birthday Party, Lost diary, Dog, Wolfhound, Dressing up, Costumes, Retirement home, Cheerful, Sweet, Positive, Friendly, Optimistic)