Burg Biberstein

Beaver Towers #1

by Nigel Hinton

In the first book of this hugely popular and much loved series, a magic spell whisks Philip away to a far-off island where he meets the beavers - Mr Edgar and his grandson, Baby B. They tell him how the wicked witch Oyin has imprisoned most of the island's inhabitants in Beaver Towers. When her terrible servants, the Growlers, have captured the few animals who are still free, she will put them all to death and rule the island. Philip is the only one who can save them – but how?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook, Animals, Middle Grade

Hardcover

First published September 4, 1980

About the author

Nigel Hinton was born and educated in London. After two years in advertising, he worked as an English teacher for nine years. His first novel, Collision Course (winner of the Dutch Silver Pen Award) was written as a result of a challenge from one of his pupils. He began teaching part-time and also worked as a professional actor before concentrating on his writing.

Nigel is the ever-popular author the Beaver Towers series of stories for primary school readers (which has been adapted for TV), and, for secondary school readers, he wrote the Buddy trilogy. His novel The Finders won him the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Award.

Reviews

[Chocolategoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Beaver Towers first at school when I was very small. I say "read", I mean the teacher started reading it one chapter at a time before school finished, then we hit a holiday or something and they never picked it up again so I didn't get to hear the ending. But I like endings, so I sought out the book, read the ending, and loved it.

Then my local library wanted to get rid of it so I bought it for 20p, they ripped out the front page with the stamped dates on it, and 25 years later it's still on my shelf.

And I still love it! This is such a great children's book. Philip is a bland protagonist with a good heart, but the beaver island is filled with amazing characters like Baby B (<3), the mechanics (<33) and the evil growlers who are still kinda spooky to me. Oyin is obviously the spookiest.

It's a wonderful story about being kind to people, friendship, and bravery. And dragon kites.

[Amy Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beaver Towers by Nigel Hinton

Beaver Towers is a story about a boy called Philip whose kite takes him to a strange shape island, where he meets a Robin who understands him and some talking beavers. The Island has been taken over by an evil witch called Oyin who creates Growers to keep control while she is away. She and her evil Growers live in Beaver Towers and have taken the island inhabitants as prisoners. The beavers believe that Philip is the saver and with the help of the other animals frees the island inhabitants and sends the witch back to the World of Blackness where she was from.
This book is a title I remember being very fond of while at school but I could not remember the plot. I was surprised at how scary it was in places but that could just be my creative mind visualising it. I did own copies from the age of about 7 but as I was a slow reader I did not re-read this to myself. It is a fanatic story for the mind to create with secretes passage ways, spell books and talking animals. More a boy’s book than girls but due to my fond memories out that a whole class would enjoy.

[Melanie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this series of books when I was in primary school. Something about these books stuck with me into adulthood. I remember for an English project having to write our own short stories and for mine I wrote the next book in this series.
For many years, all I could remember about this series was that it involved witches and beavers and had some connection with stonehenge. Thanks to the power of the internet, many years later I was able to type this into Google and find out the books name and author (confirming that these books did exist and not just something I imagined). Having found the book I made the decision to re read this as an adult.
I enjoyed the book immensely - although I was surprised how dark the book was for something aimed at 7-10 year olds. I am surprised I wasn't more scared as a child and am not sure I will be letting my own children read it at such a young age.
Off now back down memory lane with the other 3 books...

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beaver Towers is about a young boy called Philip who goes out to fly his kite, and gets blown away to a small Island inhabited by Beavers. He meets Baby B, and his grandfather Mr. Edgar, who explains to him that an evil witch called Oyin is about to imprison the whole island and the only thing that could stop her is a purple spell book in the library. Mrs Badger is not impressed but Mr Edgar agrees it is the only way to save the Island. However, in their mission Baby B is captured by the growlers, the evil servants of Oyin whereas Philip manages to escape but with the wrong book. The last thing Philip hears is Baby B saying he (Philip) knows the correct word, a puzzle to which the answer becomes vital later on when Philip attempts to save the young beaver.
This would be a good book for literacy for year 2 or 3 in terms of the plot structure, which is the next step on from a picture book because although there are no pictures, the chapters are very short and simple. There is also a good variation of themes and features of the text, alternating between adventure narrative, description and characterisation which could be used as a good starting point for creative writing and drama. In terms of guided reading, the level is quite hard so would be more suitable for year 4 or high ability year 3. I personally did not enjoy this book, because I found the narrative and characterisation to be excessively stereotyped, for example the clichéd role of the hero, and martyr and scared wife. I also found that the plot was overly simple and the ending was too predictable. However, I was recommended the book by someone my age who studied it in year two and found it so inspirational that he could still remember it, so for this age group as I have outlined above, it would be very useful.

[Just_me · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical kids book. Kid goes on an adventure, meets new friends, comes across baddie, defeats baddie, all live happily ever after. Oh with a bit of magic thrown in.

[Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a child, although my copy doesn't have as rubbish a front cover as the one that popped up here. I read it a lot. Over the last week I have been reading it aloud and it has been great fun remembering all the fun characters, especially the mechanics and the wonderful Baby B. It's a great children's adventure tale where little boy Philip flies away on a magical kite to a troubled island peopled by animals and suffering from the growing power of a terrible witch. I was surprised by how creepy it got towards the end when the other Philip turns up. But all ends well.

Looking this book up online now has been a revelation - there are three more books about Beaver Towers. I never knew!

[Capn]

Philip, magicked by kite to a distant island, finds himself cast in the role of 'saver' of its animal inhabitants from the enchantments of Oyin, 'the cruellest witch in the whole world of Blackness', and the oppression of her growlers. Beaver Towers — built 500 years ago by the joint efforts of the eager Beavers and the busy Beavers — holds the answer, and Philip, aided (or hindered) by Baby B and the robin, has to get in and get it. A smashing read aloud, and short chapters encourage going it alone.

Books for Keeps, 5Nov1980

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a child and re-read it recently with my 10 year old. We really enjoyed reading it together, the characters were just as good second time around. We can't wait to get started on the next one in the series!

[RhiannaH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely adventure story about a boy and a young beaver who try and recapture their island from a terrible curse. Ideal for younger readers due to the short nature of the chapters - could be recommended as a first chapter book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first fantasy book for younger children (7+). I remember being enthralled and a little bit scared by this as a child, and now my son is too. Makes a good bedtime story as the chapters are a good length for reading aloud.

[Louise Golder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me straight back to my school days where our teacher used to read these to us

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Baby B is annoying as hell

[Subhan Subhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Georgina Willetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy called Phillip is flying his kite in his garden when a black cloud comes down from the sky and takes him on an adventure.

Mr. Edgar the Beaver is trying to remember spells from his books which had been stolen by the witch when he mistakingly sends the cloud to get Phillip. The animals think he has come to save them from the witch and Growlers.

Phillip meets lots of friends along the way including Baby B, Mrs Badger and Sargeant Robin.

The little boy tries to help return Beaver Towers to Mr. Edgar and proves that he really is the saver after all. Phillip meets lots of friends along the way including Baby B, Mrs Badger and Sargeant Robin.

Good conquers evil in this story.

Looking forward to the next story in the series "The Witches Revenge".

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

At around 100 pages this is only a short story. It is aimed at ages 7 and up.
It's the story of a boy, Philip, who gets carried off by his kite and ends up on a magical island inhabited by woodland animals.
The island has been taken over by an evil witch and her magical army of Growlers. In order to banish the witch and save the island Philip must sneak into the castle and find the magic spell book.

Because it's aimed at younger readers the story moved very fast and it seemed like everything was over before it had even began!

It was a cute little story that I'm sure young kids would enjoy, but I think older children might find the story too childish for their liking.

[theBookDevourer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book - just as much as I did when my teacher Ms Giles read it to my (UK) Year 3 class. The story may move a little fast but it is written for ages 7 and above. I found the characters to be well rounded and despite any real description of them I have an image of each of them in my head as I write.

[Zoe Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood favourite

I would highly recommend Beaver Towers to anyone. Reading this as an adult, has reminded me of when our year three teacher read this to our class all that time ago. I can't wait to read more books by Nigel Hinton.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I ever got a library fine for, because I just could'nt bear to take it back! I recently read it again (for old times sake!) and still found it fantastic!

[Amshu Gajurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my fav books.Brings back so many memories.

[Carrie-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

relisten to every year. :-)

[Book is always the answer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Úžasná kniha! to už je let, co jsem to četla :)

[Nat Cowan]

I remember being read this as child. I loved it