Haven: A small cat's adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd

We never really know about the very early life of this little kitten named Haven but somehow she finds herself in the forest and luckily her exploring leads her to the door of Ma Millie. Haven and Ma Millie have a happy and contented life on the edge of the forest with a warm house and plenty of delicious smells not to mention the food treats Ma Millie shares with her new companion. Ma Millie does live alone but she has a kind neighbour Jacob Levan who regularly visits them.

Over time Ma Millie grows older and she becomes unwell. Eventually Haven, who has always been an inside cat, knows she has to seek help, and this means re-entering the hostile forest. Yes, the forest is dangerous, but help is available. Haven meets a fox. The fox agrees to help Haven find her way to the town in the hope she can find Jacob Levan and then get him to come and help Ma Millie. The journey to the city is long, dangerous and over very rough country. Fox is able to show Haven the way, but their trip means they have to cross over a huge river and climb through a deep ravine. Fox knows they are being followed by a Bobcat and this Bobcat has a plan to catch and eat the pair.

There is a huge time and plot jump in this book between chapters 33 and 34 (this is a very short book with 129 pages so the chapters are short). Readers need to be patient and wait for Megan Wagner Lloyd to explain how Haven has been saved (I won't say too much more).

I saw this book at The Constant Reader last week - Why did I buy it? Why is these one of the three books I selected out of the hundreds on offer? First of all, the publisher is Candlewick, and they consistently produce excellent books; secondly the blurb appeal to me; and thirdly I did read the three review quotes on the back cover from Kirkus, Booklist and Shelf Awareness. I was not familiar with the author so the cover information "author of the national bestseller Allergic" didn't mean anything to me although I now discover it is a graphic novel one of several by Megan Wagner Lloyd. I also like the cover although I am not usually drawn to books about cats.

I would be happy to recommend this book to readers aged 9+ but with the warning that it is very sad and there is one violent scene when our small cat hero Haven is confronted by that huge Bobcat.

Publisher blurb: A warm, cozy lap. The toasty smell of baking bread. Tasty food served in a bright-blue bowl. These make Haven’s life as an indoor pet heaven. All thanks to her beloved human and rescuer, Ma Millie. But when Ma Millie becomes too sick to care for her, the cat’s cozy life is turned upside down, and Haven decides she must seek out another human for help. Anything for Ma Millie! Her vow pulls her out of her safe nest into the shadowy forest and down unfamiliar and dangerous roads. When her first plan fails, Haven meets a wilderness-savvy fox who volunteers as an ally, and their perilous journey together brings some victories. But Haven finds herself pitted against creatures far wilder than she ever could be, testing her strength and spirit to their limits. Will her loyalty to Ma Millie—and her newfound confidence in herself—be enough to help Haven see the quest through to its conclusion? Can she stand up against the fierce predator that is tracking her every move?

This small novel deals with issues such as friendship, trust and self-confidence. ReadPlus

A sweet, sincere tale of self-discovery. Kirkus

Haven is a heartwarming, adventurous tale of a timid creature finding courage and confidence in the world. There’s plenty to discuss in this book with younger readers, from friendship to bravery and persistence. This story strikes the perfect balance of gentle and suspenseful for readers who love animals and adventure and its short length makes it approachable for younger readers ... Reading Middle Grade

Awards for Haven:

• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2022
• 2023-2024 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
• 2023 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Title
• 2024 Magnolia Book Award
• 2025 Charlie May Simon Book Award
• 2024-25 South Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominee

In some ways the journey of this story reminded me of this old classic that I read as a child. I have put m cover and a more contemporary one:

You may be familiar with these graphic novels by Megan Wagner Lloyd:

Megan Wagner Lloyd is also the author of this picture book illustrated by Phoebe Wahl which I have on my 'to read/to discover' list:

The Adventures of Pongo and Stink by Lisa Nicol illustrated by Karen Blair

 

"Farmer Nic plonked the scones into Pongo and Stink's gaping mouths. The world immediately stopped turning. Pongo and Stink shuddered beneath their dog suits, barely breathing as a pleasure bomb of flavour exploded inside their mouths; like a fireworks finale erupting in the night sky."
"

Pongo and Stink live a happy life on the farm, but they want more! They want the farmer to give them the same delicious food they see him sharing with his old faithful farm dog such as scones with jam and cream and delicious hot toast and they also want pats and cuddles and to live the high life inside the house. But they are pigs - how can they achieve their dream?

Wait a minute. Rollo is a dog. Surely there is a way Pongo and Stink can disguise themselves as dogs? 

"I'm going to get myself a dog suit! ... It can't be that hard. I can do anything when I set my mind to it.' Stink rolled his eyes. He loved Pongo dearly and although he knew it was important to have faith in yourself, in truth, Pongo was over-confident. Sometimes she was even over-over confident. But while Pongo lived on the fanciful side of the street, she was also bold and fearless and full of ideas. And Stink liked those things about her very much."

What I liked:

• The small hardcover format and the cover along with the larger size print and the full page illustrations
• The dialogue between Pongo and Stink who seem like an old married couple
• The parts of the story where you, as the reader, know more than Pongo and Stink such as when they meet that dog that looks like a Shih tzu (spoiler alert is the fox).
• They way the two pigs just had to give into their piggy natures and take a wallow in mud and dig up all the vegetables and raid the refrigerator 
• When the pigs with their short legs and no spring try to jump into Farmer Nic's truck - that scene is truly funny and could be one you use if you are book talking in your library (Chapter 17)
• The scene where poor old Rollo is trying to round up the sheep and Pongo and Stink wreck everything - made me think of the television show Muster Dogs
• When the zips rust tight shut on their costumes and then the costume store is closed. I laughed when I read the sign that said Mr Waleed had gone away on a seven-month holiday although I wonder how he could afford this since he didn't charge Pongo and Stink any money for those dog suits.
• The trickster ending with the fox in the back of the dog catcher's truck

Things that didn't appeal to me (but kids will like)

• All the references to farts (or toots). One or maybe two would be fine but references like this always make me cringe. I think adding farts to kids' book is just cheap 'toilet humour' - again kids will probably love these parts. 
• The way Rollo, the farmer's dog, knew this pair were not to be trusted but he didn't use his nose to sniff out their fakery.
• Is farmer Nic in need of glasses? Surely these two silly pigs do not look like dogs? Kids will accept this part of course.

You could read this book in your family to children aged 6+ - it has 195 pages, 26 chapters and a large easy to read font with scattered black and white illustrations. Read this review from The Bottom Shelf.

Young readers will enjoy living through the high drama of tantalising highs and devastating lows. And they will chuckle along with the fart jokes, of which I am usually not a fan, but which suit the characters, who politely always say, “Pardon me.”  This book will leave your audience as happy as pigs in mud! Story Links

Thanks to Lisa Nicol who sent me a copy of her book. This book is sure to remind you of Babe (originally The Sheep Pig) by Dick King Smith.

Publisher blurb for Pongo and Stink: Pongo and Stink are FED UP with living in a pigsty. They want to live a life of luxury, all cosy in the farmhouse, getting loving pats from Farmer Nic while eating scones and jam on toast - just like their tormentor, Rollo the dog. When Pongo has the daring idea of dressing up as pups, the two piggies set out to chase their dreams. But will the wily fox scupper their plans? Or will Pongo and Stink discover that to be yourself is the greatest, mud-splattered adventure of all?

An uproariously funny tale about the difficulties of trying to be something you’re not, the power of true friendship and the perils of eating far too much cheese. Read a story extract

In this interview Lisa Nicol talks with Joy Lawn at Paperbark words about the process of writing The Adventures of Pongo and Stink.

This is also a 'grass is greener story' - see if you can find these picture books that explore that theme:

Daisy 

Once upon a small rhinoceros

I have talked previously about books which feature unlikely or contrasting friends. Pongo and Stink are both pigs of course, but they do have very different personalities - optimist or pessimist, carefree or worrier, performer and dreamer.

Here are two other books by Lisa Nicol for readers aged 10+ which I really enjoyed and highly recommend:

Vincent and the Grandest Hotel on Earth

The What on Earth Institute of Wonder

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman illustrated by Marcin Minor

When winds blow

Through Deadwood east

The undead monster waits to feast

On little bones

And braids

And toes

But don't you scream

Or its hunger grows!

While I did read this book fairly quickly, over a couple of days, it took me a little while to get used to the use of a girl's name - Clare for a male character - the undead fox.

What does undead mean? Well, when a creature dies it usually just heads off to the afterlife but there are some creatures that need help to find the right door or realm. This guiding or, as it is called here, the Ushering, is the job of the undead - in this case Clare the fox but there have been many others before him - Brickbane a fox; Eddifoot a racoon; Po an elk and Felix a moth. There are four destinations:

"Travel north from here and you'll find the realm of Peace ... for those who found joy in rest. Head east and you encounter the realm of Pleasure ... best suited to those who sought fun about all else. Directly west is Progress ... for those who loved work, service and effort. And finally travel south ... and one enters the realm of Pain."

Clare has been sending the souls who arrive at his cottage in Deadwood Forest to the 'right' door for over four years. He enjoys his work and loves tending to his extensive mushroom garden but deep in his heart he is lonely and also frightened because Brickbane told him, on the night of his death, that he was destined for Pain. And not only that a prophecy song is circulating:

"On All Hallows Eve, Deadwood will bring mayhem to Fernlight. And before the moon sets, one in Deadwood will vanish forever."

Then there is new arrival. It is a badger named Gingersnipes. Astute readers will realise something is wrong. Gingersnipes does not arrive in the usual way by knocking on Clare's door. When Clare sends Gingersnipes away to his assigned realm "he did not wait for the crackling sound of her departure".  This is a big mistake.

Hopefully now you have lots of unanswered questions. How did Clare die? Why did Gingersnipes arrive at this time? What does do the songs of All Hallows Eve mean? Who is the little girl with the red shoes? Can the message and advice from Hesterfowl be trusted? And most important of all what on earth is a braid?  (Of course, dear reader you know the answer to this final question but it is a mystery to Clare).

There is one very violent scene near the end of this book so I am going to say this is a book for mature readers aged 10+. 

All of this plot sounds every 'heavy' but there are some sweet touches of humour in this story and you are sure to enjoy meeting the rats at the dump named Nine and Two. The names of the mushrooms that Clare collects from the forest are also delightful. And I loved the way Clare always said 'travel true' as he sent lost souls off to their assigned realm. 

Here is a description of Clare's cottage:

"Clare, for example, had strung the ceiling with rows and rows of twine. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with jars of all shapes and colours, gathered from Deadwood Dump and filled with dried fungi. In the firelight the vessels glinted and glowed, splashing the hollow in jewelled hues."

Here is a line that made me smile - it is Gingersnipes speaking:

"I have a moose-sized bone to pick with you. Four times you sent me into that forest. And four times the coloured lights led me back here. Is this some sort of game? A test? Because I'm tired of it, fox!"

And later Gingersnipes says: "You're a tough nut to crack, Clare, and frankly I am not a squirrel!"

There is an interesting theme in this book about thirst - this is something I need to think a little more about. Being undead Clare does not need food or drink, but he makes special tea for all his visitors and so it seems important and very strange that once Gingersnipes arrives, and Clare's world shifts, he seems to be desperately thirsty all the time. 

Here is a description of Hesterfowl the grouse - "She wore a cloak of moss. A collar of bones encircled her short neck, some poor dead animal's rib cage fanning up and around her head. The feathers surrounding her eyes were smeared with berry pulp and groomed into sharp points." (I need to make special mention of the amazing illustrations in this book AND question why his name is not on the cover or title page. You can see his art here on Instagram). Marcin Minor lives in Poland.

Image source Instagram

I think it was the cover that first caught my attention. Checking some details I see the hardcover of this book arrived here in Australia in late February 2025 then, as I already mentioned I was given a generous book voucher for one of book chain stores here in Sydney - so when I saw they had the paperback which was released in April this book was an obvious first purchase.

SPOILER ALERT - Bookseller blurb: Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive...just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: stepping into a solitary life of helping souls meet their destiny. Clare's quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes (arrives). Despite Clare's efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to find her way out of Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance of the living and the dead. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl--the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation about the badger that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change their fate.

Read some young reader reviews - very insightful.

Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive. Kirkus Star review

"I really love Gingersnaps" "A timeless book". Colby Sharp Newbery prediction.

US author Aubrey Hartman has written two books. Check out her webpage.  

Companion books:

Good Dog

Loteria

The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke

Magrit

Sonya's Chickens by Phoebe Wall

Sonya loves her chickens. She has three and she has raised them from tiny chicks. She makes sure they have enough water, fresh straw, and lots of delicious corn. It is not a surprise that one day Sonya finds the perfect gift - a smooth, warm, brown egg. But ...

"One chilly night, Sonya woke to a ruckus of squawking and shuffle-y bump noises from outside. ... The floor of the coop was frosted with feathers, and Sonya cried out as she counted not three, but two frightened chickens cowering in the rafters above. The third was nowhere to be seen."

Sonya is desperately upset but her father offers some beautiful wisdom. Yes this does seem very unfair but now let's think about the fox. That fox also works hard to feed his babies. 

"He didn't care that it was our chicken he took. He just saw it as a chance to feed his family. I know you feel sad, but you wouldn't want those baby foxes to go hungry, would you?"

Sonya's Chickens was published in 2015 and it won an Ezra Jack Keats award for a new illustrator. I was very surprised to discover it is not out of print. Here are some details of the paperback edition. 

Here is my Pinterest collection of picture books about chickens. You can see more books illustrated by Phoebe Wahl here. Here is a video of Sonya's Chickens. I would share Sonya's chickens with slightly older children aged 7+ and you should make sure you leave time for discussion and questions. 

Bookseller blurb: When Sonya discovers the answers, she learns some important truths about the interconnectedness of nature and the true joys and sorrows of caring for another creature.

A reassuring story about death in the natural world, thoughtfully designed and illustrated. Kirkus Star review

Companion book:

Fox: A Circle of life story

The Missing Bunny by Holly Webb illustrated by Antonia Woodward

Bookseller blurb: Annie is really excited about her new pet rabbits and can’ t wait to welcome them into the amazing new home her dad has built for them. But when Annie is in a rush to get to school the next morning, she doesn’t check that the door to the hutch is shut properly, and one of the rabbits, Humbug, escapes. Can Annie find Humbug in time to save her from the neighbourhood fox … ?

There is just the right amount of tension and emotion in this story. Annie loves her two bunnies but it isn't really a surprise when one escapes after the hutch is not quite shut properly. Luckily little Humbug does not go to far and luckily Annie is brave enough to check her garden late that night so we can all enjoy the happy ending. 

This book is from the Little Gems series by Barrington Stoke. I love these little books for these reasons:

• The paper is the very best quality - so these books will last a long time in a library
• They have colour illustrations which will appeal to beginning readers
• Barrington Stoke ask top UK authors (and illustrators) to write these simple little stories
• The stories are easy to understand and so well written they are sure to be enjoyed by young readers and by parents too
• Every book contains a bonus puzzle or two - I do enjoy doing these
• The size is perfect - slightly smaller than a regular paperback novel
• There are so many titles in this series you are sure to find one you will enjoy
• These books are perfect for readers aged 6-8
• Here in Australia these books are priced between AUS$11 and AUS$20.

Holly Webb is the author of over 150 books for all ages not just these Little Gems. I am sure you will find some of her books in your school or public library. 

Here are two more titles she has written for the Little Gems series:

You might also look for The Beach Puppy

Flood by Gillian McClure

It has rained and rained and the land is now totally flooded. The Fussy Hen is, well fussing. The sly fox is hungry. Old Slogger the ox just keeps her head down but eventually the water level is just too high. 

"The hungry fox was swept off his feet and Fussy Hen freed from his stare let out a squawk and flew up in the air and landed on Old Slugger the Ox."

Chaos ensues and somehow the hen ends up in nestled in the brush tail of the fox and the fox is now hanging on to the tail of the ox. They have formed a kind of boat. At first they go round in circles but then Fussy Hen discovers she can steer their group.

"And so on they went through the great flood, steered by Fussy Hen, looking this way and that from her nest at the back until they saw land."

The land is a tiny island with hardly enough room for this group. They have to put aside their differences and squash up close. Peace is restored while they wait for the rain to stop and the flood waters to subside. 

I love FLOOD. For several reasons. The brevity of the text. The drama, real drama. The characterisation. The way you enable us to suspend our disbelief and accept a pacific outcome. But what makes the book quite outstanding, and to my mind the most successful of all, is the fluidity of the way you have set the text, the images of ox, fox and hen wrapping round each other, and the all- enveloping downpour that swirls and rushes from page to page.  Kevin Crossley-Holland

There is one word early in this book which might make your young library group gasp! The hen is squawking in the rain the old ox thinks "I wish she'd shut up!" I know from past experience this will make young reader gasp - so if I was reading this book with a group I might say 'be quiet' instead. This book was published in 2014 so it is now out of print but it was nominated for the Kate Greenaway medal so it might be in your local or school library. 

I was curious about the author/illustrator of this book. Gillian McClure is from the UK. Here are some of her books:

Bookseller blurb: One day a strange cat appears at the door. 'My name is Tom Finger,' he cries. Each day he appears, and each day he leaves a strange and wonderful gift: a silk purse, a lace handkerchief, an embroidered needle case. Queenie is completely entranced by him - her brother though is convinced he is a witch's cat. But Queenie is determined to find out - and one day starts following the cat through the snowy forest, following a trail of red wool...What Queenie finds at the end of the trail is totally unexpected.

Other books about floods and long rain events. I have a Pinterest collection on this topic:

Circles in the sky by Karl James Mountford

"And there in the clearing it was, something small, something still ... perhaps forgotten?"

It is a small, black bird. Fox moves in close. The bird does not move. He makes a loud noise. The bird does not move. He takes a worm over for the bird to eat. The bird does not move.

"Nothing seemed to be working. Nothing seemed to be helping. Fox couldn't understand why. What could be do for the broken bird."

A moth has been watching the old Fox. She tries to gently explain what has happened using an analogy of the sun and the moon but all this does is annoy and frustrate Fox. He is so confused. Where is bird? Moth now has to explain: Bird is dead.

"It's okay to be sad ... The two creatures sat down in grief for some time."

The cover of this book is truly special. It is tactile, geometric and has a bright shine. 

The story beautifully honours the cycle of life, as a lone moth helps a lone fox understand the death of a bird. Mountford has shown that great children’s books always write up to their readers and never down. ... Rather than shying away from or obliquely addressing them, The Circles in the Sky embraces these themes with a visually stunning book that offers a touching and truthful exploration of life and death in the natural world. It opens the door for readers of all ages to ask similarly profound questions. Books for Keeps

Speaking to heart and eye in equal measures, a beautiful treatise on remembering life and helping those left behind. Kirkus Star review

Death and grief are hard things to understand for people of all ages, and Mountford’s exploration of the subject is spot on. Mountford’s lyrical text is thoughtful and inquisitive. Children will immediately relate to Fox’s concern and frustration. And while he can’t quite put a name on it, Moth gently guides him through to understanding. Mountford’s accompanying illustrations are, quite frankly, exquisite. His multilayered artwork is stylized and elegant. It truly brings his story to life. The Circles in the Sky is a book everyone should own. It’s one of my favorite books of 2022. Cracking the Cover

Circles in the Sky would be a very worthwhile addition to your school library. The request for books explaining death or comforting a child, after the death of a family member, often arise on social media such as on the Facebook group Your Kids Next Read. BUT it is far better to read books on this topic - books that deal with this sensitive issue in a gentle way - LONG before any real experience of loss. All of these companion books are brilliant too:

The Last Goodbye

Fox: A Circle of Life story

The Bear and the Wildcat

Waiting for Wolf

The Rabbit's Magician

Circle in the sky is the first book written and illustrated by Karl James Mountford. Here are other books he has illustrated:

Fox series by Corey R Tabor

 

More than three years ago I talked about Fox the Tiger. A few weeks ago, I borrowed three more books from this series - Fox is Late, Fox has a Problem, and Fox at Night from the library I visit each week.

Young children who are just starting to gain reading confidence NEED books like these. They are fun and funny, visually very appealing, short, and each of them contain a satisfying story. In the classroom children encounter 'readers' but these are often dry, contrived and many contain uninspiring illustrations. Teachers and parents do share wonderful picture books with children, but I hope you can also look for these slim books which are the next step on your child's reading journey. Keep reading picture books of course but grab some of these too so your child can experience the joy of reading independently and hopefully also discover, even very simple books like these, can contain delightful stories. Here in Australia you need to hunt out the paperback editions of these books which cost around AUS$12+. The hardcovers are far too expensive for school or local libraries to consider. 

Here are the web pages for Corey R Tabor.  Here is an interview with Corey R Tabor. Take a look at another book by Corey R Tabor - Mel Fell. A new book from the Fox series will be released in 2024.

Fox is late (2018) - themes - surprises, skateboarding, rushing, sharing. Why is Fox in such a rush? He seems to be so unkind to his forest friends. Is there a way all of this crazy behaviour can end happily?

Fox at Night (2021) Winner 2022 Theodore Seuss Geisel award. Themes - night, fear, and perception. Fox can hear monsters in the night but his forest friends take his hand and show him things are not as scary as he imagines until the last page when he does meet a very surprising 'monster'. I would pair this book with:

Fox has a Problem (2023) - themes - problem solving, actions and consequences, and team work. How can Fox get all of his kites out of the tree?

This comical early reader, expressed in understated sentences and simple vocabulary on nearly every page, will charm youngsters; they’ll giggle at Fox’s outlandish “big ideas” and the havoc they wreak. Onomatopoeic sound words heighten the fun. Caldecott Honoree Tabor’s wry illustrations, rendered in pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor and assembled digitally, are muted, set against uncluttered backgrounds, allowing kids to focus on the characters and the humorous proceedings. Kirkus