Finding Hope

Whistledown Farm Adventure #1

by Nicola Baker

The first book in a warm and beautifully observed farm adventure series from Nicola Baker, star of Our Farm in the Dales. Perfect for readers 8+ and fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Dick King Smith and The Snow Foal. With stunning illustrations from Rachael Dean throughout.

When ten-year-old Ava moves to Whistledown Farm while her parents are working abroad, she must swap city life for mud, wellies and animals. But as one catastrophe follows another, will Ava learn to love life on the farm and find hope in nature? And can a very special little lamb show Ava that when all might seem lost, hope can be found...

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farm and animal lovers will adore this new series.

A debut, from a farm dweller whose love for the countryside, farms and most of all farm animals shines through.

City girl Ava needs to stay with her uncle, aunt and cousin on their farm while her parents work overseas for a fortnight. She's stayed before but never felt at home or joined in there. She's no good at anything at home, so why should here be any different? And it doesn't help that cousin Tom clearly doesn't want her there and thinks she's useless. But it isn't long before Ava's 'mucking in' (almost literally) brings a lost newborn lamb to her attention, and Ava's heart is most certainly won over.

But how about Tom's? And will Ava find something she's good at, while missing her parents, looking after the lamb and noticing some strange goings-on that seem to mean something nefarious may be about to happen?

This was lovely. Some realistic fears and behaviours from Ava and Tom, though I didn't find their conversations completely realistic for ten-year-olds at times, a little mature. But the animal scenes are wonderful, the portrayal of farm life shows the hard work but also lighter side of it. And it shows a strong start to a longer series about the cousins and the adventures that can happen on a farm.

For ages 7-12.

With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect middle-grade story. First of many! Nicola has written a wonderful, gentle, soothing, heartwarming story with plenty of drama!

Ava is staying with her aunt and uncle at Whistledown Farm while her parents are away for work. Her older cousin Tom doesn't seem to have a lot of time for her, and Ava bonds with a new baby lamb she names Hope and learns more about the farm. Ava is from the city, and previously, on stayovers, she didn’t really get involved, but now she has time and wants to help out and is given chores to do.
With some mishaps on the way, Ava and Tom eventually learn to work together when the sheep start to go missing!

I have a beautiful hard copy, which Rachael Dean gorgeously illustrates.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so bad for main character Ava while reading this story! She is basically dumped with her aunt and uncle while her parents have to work abroad, and her cousin resents her presence and is determined to exclude and isolate her. It is the classic city-girl plunged into farm life story but with a little added misery on top.

I couldn’t help feeling cousin Tom was unnecessarily mean and spiteful, and even after his reasons became clearer I still struggled to forgive him as quickly as Ava does. He could have given her more of a chance! Most of the challenges they face can be placed squarely at his door, in my opinion, as Ava at least has the excuse of not knowing how farm life works or any of the risks involved.

That said, it definitely wasn’t all doom and gloom, as little Hope and the other farm animals are utterly adorable and the portrayal of their care felt realistically practical but still very loving. I just know my animal-crazy, ‘Animal Inn’ and ‘Saddle Club’ -loving younger self would have adored this Whistledown Farm adventure.

I’d recommend this book as a great little story for middle-grade animal lovers, all about feeling alone and finding comfort, connection and purpose through caring for animals and working outdoors.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a sweetness and simplicity about this story that reminds me of books written for children in earlier times. It was an easy and enjoyable read.

When Ava reluctantly swaps life in the city with her doctor parents for a stint on the farm with her uncle, aunt and cousin while her parents are travelling overseas, she soon finds herself out of her depth. The demands of a life on the land, taking care of the animals, is very alien to her.

And straightaway, to the great scorn of her cousin Tom, Ava begins her time there with what appears to be a mistake - removing a sickly lamb from its flock when she is unable to find its mother. But things are not always as they seem. Not with regard to the lamb, or Ava's suitability for farm life...

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jensini Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava’s story pulled me in right away. She’s sent to stay with relatives in the countryside, where her cousin makes her feel like an outsider from the start. While I understood his struggles later on, his harshness still felt unfair. Ava, unfamiliar with farm life, tries her best—and much of the trouble they face could’ve been avoided if he’d shown a little kindness.

Despite the tension, the book has a warm, gentle side too. The animals, especially little Hope, add charm and heart to the story. Their care is portrayed in a way that feels both real and comforting.

It’s a touching, quick read perfect for young animal lovers—full of emotion, growth, and the quiet magic of connection. It felt more like watching a film than reading a book.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely children’s book about Ava who has to live on her aunts farm for 2 weeks as her parents need to travel for work. She’s used to city life and is not looking forward to it. Her cousin Tom is being difficult towards her too which doesn’t help. She gets stuck in with her farming duties and finds a wee lamb on her walk which she thinks has been abandoned by its mother. Hope the lamb helps her through her time at the farm.

Lovely illustrations which bring a nice touch to this beautifully written book. Ava is a lovely girl and an easily likable character. A great book for a younger reader.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Sarah Ziman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the second in this new series (Rescuing Ruby) before Finding Hope, and each book can stand alone (children will have no problem catching up with the back story), but it was nice to go back to the start and experience Ava's first stay without her parents at Whistledown Farm. I would have loved these when I was an animal-mad tween, and Nicola Baker (star of 'Our Farm in the Dales') has succeeding in combining just enough modern life with a plot that feels very classic, to heart-warming effect. There is just the right combination of the realities of rural life, animal husbandry, family ups and downs and adventure, and I'm sure the series will run and run.

[Ffion H 🫶🏻💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A absolutely heartwarming story 💗

I absolutely loved reading this beautiful story. I enjoyed so much that I coloured multiple pages of my farm animals book inspired by Hope and the other animals 🥰 this really warmed my heart and I loved the bonds Ava developed with her family, even Tom in the end. A true story of empathy, emotional control and problem solving 🫶🏻 I think Nicola deserves so much credit for her amazing work 💗

[- ̗̀ jessica ̖́- · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good middle grade book all about farming, animals and nature.
i feel sorry for ava and massively disliked tom. also their conversations were unnaturally emotionally mature towards the end.
but, as always, younger jess would've liked this book so it is a good children's book.