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Wintry Tales
Sky
Staying with her grandparents in the Scottish Highlands, Lara is fascinated by the rare white snowy owl her grandad has spotted flying nearby. And when she follows the beautiful bird into the woods, it leads her on a magical adventure…
Transported a century back in time, Lara befriends Amelia, who confides in Lara about her cruel cousin, who she's sure is trying to hurt the baby owls nesting in the woods. When Lara discovers the hatchlings belong to her owl, Sky, she's determined to help. But how can she protect them when she needs to return to her own time?
An enchanting and magical time-slip adventure from best-selling author Holly Webb. For fans of Michael Morpurgo and THE SNOW FOAL, this is the perfect book to curl up with and enjoy this winter.
Transported a century back in time, Lara befriends Amelia, who confides in Lara about her cruel cousin, who she's sure is trying to hurt the baby owls nesting in the woods. When Lara discovers the hatchlings belong to her owl, Sky, she's determined to help. But how can she protect them when she needs to return to her own time?
An enchanting and magical time-slip adventure from best-selling author Holly Webb. For fans of Michael Morpurgo and THE SNOW FOAL, this is the perfect book to curl up with and enjoy this winter.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
1 person is currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Holly Webb
301 books408 followersHolly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 15, 2021
A lovely and very gentle time-slip adventure for younger MG readers, beautifully illustrated, set in Scotland, and centred around a family of mysterious and beautiful snowy owls. The story touches on hard topics (the heroine's mother is in remission from cancer, so the heroine is still recovering from her fears about that whole issue, and she meets another girl who'd lost her own mother) but treats them with a very light and sensitive touch. My 8-year-old absolutely adored every moment of it, and I enjoyed it as well.
(Note: Holly and I are friends, and this book was actually dedicated to my 8-year-old, which he counts as one of the most amazing things EVER, so it would have been special to him and to me anyway - but in fact, the story was just the sort to appeal to him perfectly, and he's been talking about the characters and owls from it ever since. It was a perfect bedtime read across a week!)
(Note: Holly and I are friends, and this book was actually dedicated to my 8-year-old, which he counts as one of the most amazing things EVER, so it would have been special to him and to me anyway - but in fact, the story was just the sort to appeal to him perfectly, and he's been talking about the characters and owls from it ever since. It was a perfect bedtime read across a week!)
August 23, 2022
Lara is travelling to Scotland by train with her parents to stay with her grandparents for Christmas. She's looking forward to the snow they have promised, but is already missing her best friend Anisha.
When they finally arrive, Grandad is excited by something else besides the snow. He has seen a rare white snowy owl. It's not until Lara sees the large beautiful bird does she realise Grandad's wonder for herself. It won't let them too close but when Lara goes out to explore as she usually does when staying, the bird seems to be leading her somewhere.
Lara comes upon a young girl, cold and soaked in the snow. There is something strange about the girl, even though she is friendly and chatty. She tells Lara she is hiding from her cousins, as one is a bully. Lara soon meets this boy for herself, and as she works out the mystery of the girl she experiences his mean nature too.
When a white snowy owl is in his sights, Lara wonders if it's her snowy owl. Either way, she knows she must protect the bird and its nest of eggs from the bully, and help her new friend sort him out once and for all.
A mystery of time travel wrapped up in Christmas snow, visiting loved ones and defeating a bully - all connected by a beautiful and rare white snowy owl.
Pencil illustrations are sprinkled throughout this story, sharing the wonder of nature, the love of grandparents and the intrigue of a time shift.
A large clear font is perfect for young readers wanting to stretch their own wings into middle grade novels.
Author - Holly Webb
Illustrator - Jo Anne Davies
Age - 7+
When they finally arrive, Grandad is excited by something else besides the snow. He has seen a rare white snowy owl. It's not until Lara sees the large beautiful bird does she realise Grandad's wonder for herself. It won't let them too close but when Lara goes out to explore as she usually does when staying, the bird seems to be leading her somewhere.
Lara comes upon a young girl, cold and soaked in the snow. There is something strange about the girl, even though she is friendly and chatty. She tells Lara she is hiding from her cousins, as one is a bully. Lara soon meets this boy for herself, and as she works out the mystery of the girl she experiences his mean nature too.
When a white snowy owl is in his sights, Lara wonders if it's her snowy owl. Either way, she knows she must protect the bird and its nest of eggs from the bully, and help her new friend sort him out once and for all.
A mystery of time travel wrapped up in Christmas snow, visiting loved ones and defeating a bully - all connected by a beautiful and rare white snowy owl.
Pencil illustrations are sprinkled throughout this story, sharing the wonder of nature, the love of grandparents and the intrigue of a time shift.
A large clear font is perfect for young readers wanting to stretch their own wings into middle grade novels.
Author - Holly Webb
Illustrator - Jo Anne Davies
Age - 7+
November 6, 2025
Lara is staying at her grandparent’s cottage for the Christmas holiday, whilst there her grandad shows her a rare snowy owl. She is drawn in by her and follows her each day, soon she’s transported into a time from the past as her owl Sky needs her help, and so does Amelia, a girl she meets from the past.
This was so magical and beautiful, the setting alone made you feel so cozy, with the beautiful cottages, the snow falling all around, the rare birds finding comfort in the garden. The sweet family connection they all had was really lovely and how they all loved the birds and all wanted to see the owl together.
The time travel was so cleverly done, both girls found each others attire strange, but neither girl wanted to say anything. They were both so happy to have found a friend, someone to share the love of the owl together. It was really fun how Amelia’s time kept moving on Into the summer, but each day for Lara was still the snowy winter.
It was a really beautiful read, it had so many elements within it, from the friendship, to the protection of the owls, to the time travel. It was a really enjoyable and magical story. Plus the illustrations were stunning to look at, seeing the owls, the friends I really enjoyed looking at them.
This was so magical and beautiful, the setting alone made you feel so cozy, with the beautiful cottages, the snow falling all around, the rare birds finding comfort in the garden. The sweet family connection they all had was really lovely and how they all loved the birds and all wanted to see the owl together.
The time travel was so cleverly done, both girls found each others attire strange, but neither girl wanted to say anything. They were both so happy to have found a friend, someone to share the love of the owl together. It was really fun how Amelia’s time kept moving on Into the summer, but each day for Lara was still the snowy winter.
It was a really beautiful read, it had so many elements within it, from the friendship, to the protection of the owls, to the time travel. It was a really enjoyable and magical story. Plus the illustrations were stunning to look at, seeing the owls, the friends I really enjoyed looking at them.
November 28, 2023
Sky by Holly Webb is a beautiful and enchanting children’s middle-grade story about a young girl called Lara who is visiting her Grandparents in the Scottish Highlands over the Christmas period. Whilst there she encounters a Snowy Owl. The owl seems to want her to follow it and when she does Lara is transported back in time where she meets a young girl called Amelia who used to live in the ‘big house’, which in the modern day has become a hotel.
The story is just so lovely and warm. The book gives off a pleasant, relaxing vibe and I loved the time slip tale and how two children from completely different periods in time could be so alike. Their friendship was charming to witness.
I also loved how the author broached the subject of Lara’s mother recovering from cancer, how it affected the family over the last year, and how much everyone worried about her.
Overall, Sky was such a sweet, cosy read. It is the perfect story for the wintertime and best read whilst sipping on a cup of hot chocolate.
The story is just so lovely and warm. The book gives off a pleasant, relaxing vibe and I loved the time slip tale and how two children from completely different periods in time could be so alike. Their friendship was charming to witness.
I also loved how the author broached the subject of Lara’s mother recovering from cancer, how it affected the family over the last year, and how much everyone worried about her.
Overall, Sky was such a sweet, cosy read. It is the perfect story for the wintertime and best read whilst sipping on a cup of hot chocolate.
September 7, 2021
Absolutely loved this book where we follow Lara who is travelling up to Scotland with her parents to go and stay with Grandparents over Christmas. When she gets there her Grandad has spotted a snowy owl and he is super excited for Lara to see it.
Back story and trigger warning as Lara’s mum is poorly after having cancer so just putting this out there just in case it could have an affect on reader.
This book is filled with stunning illustrations and my goodness this book is beautiful. I really do love Holly Webb’s writing in this and she really has done an amazing job with this book.
I can’t reveal too much as there is so much that could be spoiled. Let me just say stunning atmosphere, fabulous writing, time travelling is a thing in this book and it really really is beautiful. Big thanks to Little Tiger who sent me out this to review. It really is a stunning book that is so worth the read. Highly recommended
Back story and trigger warning as Lara’s mum is poorly after having cancer so just putting this out there just in case it could have an affect on reader.
This book is filled with stunning illustrations and my goodness this book is beautiful. I really do love Holly Webb’s writing in this and she really has done an amazing job with this book.
I can’t reveal too much as there is so much that could be spoiled. Let me just say stunning atmosphere, fabulous writing, time travelling is a thing in this book and it really really is beautiful. Big thanks to Little Tiger who sent me out this to review. It really is a stunning book that is so worth the read. Highly recommended
February 5, 2023
This was a very cosy Christmas middle grade which I did enjoy. I thought it was nice having the owl mean something in the past and present and how both Lara and Amelia managed to make a friend from the time travel element.
This was also a very easy read and I did enjoy the pictures which were in here and reminded me of my childhood books which had the same art style.
However, I didn't really get the point of going to the past it wasn't really informed why she went back or why she could which would have been nice if it touched on it in some way.
This was also a very easy read and I did enjoy the pictures which were in here and reminded me of my childhood books which had the same art style.
However, I didn't really get the point of going to the past it wasn't really informed why she went back or why she could which would have been nice if it touched on it in some way.
May 3, 2024
I picked this up at random from the library and I feel like the blurb doesn't quite set expectations of the story. However, it is an enjoyable story and I wanted a happy ending for Sky. Foolishly, I was looking for a human connection between the two time periods (you know, Arthur was grandpa (even though Arthur is a horrible child) or Amelia was grandma) when really the connection is the owl and that is beautiful enough on it's own.
September 6, 2023
4.5 stars
A delightful middle grade. It contains all my favourite things - nature, in particular snowy owls, snow, Christmas, Scotland, time travel - topped off with beautiful illustrations.
Charming from start to finish.
A delightful middle grade. It contains all my favourite things - nature, in particular snowy owls, snow, Christmas, Scotland, time travel - topped off with beautiful illustrations.
Charming from start to finish.
September 10, 2022
Amazing story
I love reading now
I love reading now
February 22, 2023
It was a good book. An ordinary journey that leads to an extraordinary experience.
November 5, 2023
A lovely magical children's book.
December 26, 2023
Холи Уеб винаги успява да ми донесе много коледно настроение 💗
January 16, 2026
CW:
- reference to ghosts, and seeing things floating in front of you and hearing horrible crying
- reference to underclothes a girl is wearing with lace and lacy petticoats (not in a sexual context)
- one of the character's cousins is rather horrid, but as he's stealing owl eggs, he gets clawed on the face by the parent owls. The girls are glad he's been clawed, which is a very disappointing reaction.
- reference to ghosts, and seeing things floating in front of you and hearing horrible crying
- reference to underclothes a girl is wearing with lace and lacy petticoats (not in a sexual context)
- one of the character's cousins is rather horrid, but as he's stealing owl eggs, he gets clawed on the face by the parent owls. The girls are glad he's been clawed, which is a very disappointing reaction.
September 26, 2021
I love this series and this is one of my favourite yet. It's enchanting! And I love the snowy owls. The characters are well-developed and I really enjoyed the Scottish setting.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews