The Wood Where Stories Sing by Andy Shepherd, illustrated by Ellie Snowdon – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: green magic, friendships, deforestation, theatre.
Children’s book title: The Wood Where Stories Sing.
Children’s authors: Andy Shepherd.
Children’s illustrator: Ellie Snowdon.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9781800785724.
Recommended for children aged: 7+.
First published: Paperback July 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: showing younger readers the dangers of deforestation even on a small scale and the importance of friendship and not taking people at face value.
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Our review:
Iggy and Cal have settled into their new home and school, while the magic from Wildtop Wood still enchants them every day. With their friend Mae, they have adventures in a galleon made for them by the trees’ green magic, as well as being taken high into the treetops by branches which lift them above the canopy, where they can see the nearby beach, their village, and the surrounding countryside. They have also discovered a driftwood horse, made by their landlady, Sylvie, which they’ve named Crest and which seems to have a lot on his mind!
There is a travelling theatre show in the village about to do an outdoor performance, but the weather is shocking and the rain has been torrential, even though it’s supposed to be summer! Added to this is the worrying discovery that some of the trees have red crosses on them, including one of their special magical friends they’ve called Turrety, and it doesn’t take them long to find out that this is definitely not a good thing.
As the weather gets worse and Crest gets even more anxious, the tides get higher and retreat further, revealing an ancient fossilised forest which, although fascinating, isn’t a good sign as it means the tide is at its lowest level for many years. As the rain gets more widespread, the village begins to flood, and Iggy remembers what one of the theatre people told him about deforestation. How can he, Cal, and Mae persuade the local council and the villagers that they are in danger unless they can also change their point of view?
Our verdict:
Once again, the author has taken the troubling problem of global warming and polarised it down to two conflicting local groups who seem unable to agree. As the weather worsens, the coastline and land around the village suffer, bringing the inevitability of a devastating landslide ever closer. Eventually, as the rain floods the village, the fields become saturated, and young trees are swept away, the urgency of the situation finally begins to be accepted and the children, with help from parents and friends, at last begin to get their message across.
The friendship between Iggy, Cal, and Mae was an important part of the first book, and the stepbrothers’ acceptance of her deafness was handled positively and sympathetically. There is some negativity towards her from a classmate this time, but it is immediately made clear that this child is in the minority. They also make friends with Lavender, who prefers to be called Ven, and her help is an important part of getting the locals’ mindset to change.
The Wood Where Stories Sing is a book which can start discussions about the threat of global warming as well as the power of friendship, the importance of memories, and how differing views don’t mean that all is lost. Throughout the book, the power of green magic, the important part the trees and the woods as a whole play in everyday life, and the view of how things would be irrevocably changed if they were culled are interwoven into a powerful but gentle storyline, which could be a timely message for readers of any age.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Iggy, Cal, and Mae are lucky enough to live with a wood and beach at the end of their garden. If this was your house, where would you want to spend your time?
- The green magic helps the children avert a disaster. We don’t have magic to help slow global warming, so what do you think our main responsibilities are in helping with this?
- When Ven designs her poster, she leaves some vital information off. In a cross-curricular activity with art, design your own poster for the show, making sure everything needed is there.
- Ven’s mum had forgotten how much she’d enjoyed playing in Wildtop Wood as a child. Have you, or anyone you know, gone back to a previous hobby or activity and remembered why you enjoyed it so much?
- Now the trees have been saved and more are being planted, can you think of anything else which needs to be done to preserve the wood?
Many thanks to Piccadilly Press for the review copy.
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Browse our Books for Year 4 list.
