Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by LM Wilkinson illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Titch (full name Tithonia Proudleaf) has heard the legends of Bravepaw her whole life. Her home is on a very high plateau and no one ever leaves not even to explore the Great Forest below. Titch has one terrific friend - another mouse named Huckleberry. Titch has one important job - to look after the pufflings and on this day she is supposed to move them to a higher pasture but, on the day of this story, Titch and Huckleberry meet an injured warrior. A hare flying a hang glider. He has flown up to their plateau and he tells the startled mice his name is Prince Vetiver. If this was not amazing enough the prince is being pursued by horrid creatures called curseworms. They feed on colour and life. They want the gem Prince Vetiver has had attached to his staff. This gem (it is called a Heartstone) once belonged to Bravepaw. In the battle the staff is thrown down and in an amazing turn of events it is young Titch who picks it up. She is somehow able to wield the power of this precious stone and she manages to defeat the curseworms although they will attack again. What made this happen? Is this somehow linked to the story of Bravepaw? Could Titch have a destiny beyond her wildest imagination? Is this the beginning of the adventure she once craved and if so what other terrible dangers lie ahead? And what of the Prophecy:

When the sky fills with shadows

And all is turned to grey

Bravepaw will come.

When hope turns to ashes

And all have lost their way

Bravepaw will come.

The Heart will light the dark

Night will turn to day

When Bravepaw comes.

Here are a few text quotes to give you a flavour of this story:

"The crystal at the top of the staff blazed into life. A wave of bright light burst from it, flooding the edge of the Plateau with a rainbow of colours. The curseworms were blown away from the warrior like apple blossom in a strong spring breeze."

"There were a strange band of maybe thirty creatures, many different kind. Titch saw frogs and lizards, a hedgehog, a shrew, a sparrow and even a pair of rabbits. They all looked of a type, though, with matted fur and rough, dirty clothes decorated with bones and insect shells. They shouted and hissed at each other as they walked showing off sharp teeth and clows."

These are the grabbers - they raid villages for valuables to sell at the Midnight Market.

"One of the grabbers - a one-eyed lizard - seemed to be in charge. He wore a toad skull on his head and walked at the front of the group, wearing a coat covered in pockets. Each pocket contained an earthenware flask or jar sealed with wax, and a large iron key hung from his belt."

This book is certain to be a CBCA 2025 Younger Readers Notable. We really need more junior novels like this - easy to read, short chapters, and an engrossing action packed story with very likeable characters and just the right amount of tension and drama. Bravepaw is the full package. I love the character names - even the minor ones like Hyssop Buttonbrow and the invented creatures such as the puffling (not related to baby puffins) named Dollop. Along with curseworms we also meet a huge creature called an eaglebear. I have a feeling the eaglebear will return in the second installment and that he will come to the aid of Titch and Huckleberry.

Here is the web page for LM (Lilli) Wilkinson. The illustrations are terrific too by Lavanya Naidu.

You can see the puffling Dollop in this illustration

This promises to be a fantastic illustrated series. Imaginative and full of fast-paced action, the characters are fantastic with carefully chosen names which makes things more exciting. Kids' Book Review

This enchanting tale is about friendship, bravery, believing in yourself and doing the right thing by others.  Filled with adorable characters, from the lovable Titch and her faithful friend Huckleberry to the oh so cute little Dollop. I'm excited to read the next book to see what adventures and dangers await this little trio as they venture on their quest to heal the heart of Alluria. Little Squirrels Booshelf

In the book, Wilkinson creates a richly imagined fantasy world in Alluria, complete with its own lore, magic, and mythical elements. The Heartstone of Alluria, a central plot device, hints at ancient powers and secrets that drive the story. This detailed setting invites readers to escape into a fully-realised universe that’s full of imagination. Better Reading

Here is book two:

I can see the Bravepaw series working so well as a steppingstone to other more complex animal hero and quest stories such as these:

The Legend of Podkin One-Ear

Poppy

Endling

There are fifteen books in this series (including a prequel)