Will Wolfheart

This debut novel from an acclaimed and popular picture-book author, will immediately find fans amongst dog lovers because of the strength of the relationship between Will and his adored dog Whisker. However, this is an exciting action-packed adventure that will also have a much wider appeal, helped by the brilliantly atmospheric illustrations throughout. We cannot help but empathise with Will who is forced to move with his family to a flat in the city, because of his mother’s new job, and must leave his beloved Whisker living with his Gran-Mishti, because no dogs are allowed in the flat. He lives for the weekend when he can return, and they can play together, but dreads Sunday afternoons when he has to leave again. But one Sunday afternoon, Will and Whisker are magically transported to the realm of Wolf World, that is as beautiful as it is dangerous, where Whisker is revealed to be a wolf. The icing on the cake is that Will and Whisker can now ‘speak’ to each other and this deeper communication brings them both intense joy. They have been summoned by the ailing leader of Maple Pack to help restore the realm and defend the pack against the marauding Flint Pack. It is when Will is threatened by Flint that Whisker comes into his power, but there is much to learn. Can they really be accepted into Maple Pack and why has another human arrived in the world without a dog by her side? They eventually discover Clara is mourning the loss of her beloved Daisy and about the connection between Daisy, Whisker and Maple Pack. We also learn about the vital link between the three moons of Wolf World and wolves with mooncraft like Whisker, but Will cannot help but wonder that if Whisker is so vital to Wolf World, will they ever be able to return home? This fast-paced adventure offers a satisfying mix of thrills and emotion, with some sensitive themes around family and loss that are deftly handled and satisfactorily resolved.