Devil Bird Island: An Inspiring Wildlife Adventure for Children About Protecting Nature

Island Vet #3

by Gill Lewis

When Tia and Nat spot a turtle in difficulty off the coast of Devil Bird Island, they must help it find its way home in this inspiring tale of conservation from Gill Lewis.

A camping trip to count puffins on Devil Bird Island turns into a real adventure for friends Tia and Nat

First, they have to rescue a mysterious marine animal caught in a fishing net and swept very far from home. Then, when it gets dark, they hear strange wailing and something white and ghostly flies at their tent.

Safely back home, they unravel the mysteries of the previous night and learn some important lessons about how everyone on the planet needs to look out for the wildlife around them.

72 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2025

About the author

Before she could walk, Gill Lewis was discovered force-feeding bread to a sick hedgehog under the rose bushes. Now her stories reflect her passion for wild animals in wild places. She draws inspiration from many of the people she has had the fortune to meet during her work as a vet, both at home and abroad. Gill Lewis has a masters degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and won the 2009 course prize for most promising writer. Her first novel was snapped up for publication within hours of being offered to publishers. She lives in Somerset with her young family and a motley crew of pets. She writes from a shed in the garden, in the company of spiders.

Reviews

[Tracy Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is superb. It is not just me that thinks this. When I told one of the children at school I had the next book - her reply was "What book 3? Can I have it first?" Always good to know you are getting something they really like! The subject of each book in the series shows how we can help wildlife and the environment.

Thanks to Poppy at Barrington Stoke for arranging an advance copy of this.

Tia is with her Mum and Granny in the city for Tia's birthday. They go to the zoo, but Tia isn't particularly happy at waiting for ages in the café! But Gran says she can choose a toy from the shop for her birthday, Tia chooses an odd looking Puffin with a wonky beak. She writes her name on his label. Sadly something horrid happens on the train home, and Tia loses Puff.

Back on Gull Haven Island Tia and her mum get to go with Nat and her Dad to Devil Bird Island to count real puffins. The girls though find a floating rock - but obviously it's no rock - it's a loggerhead turtle. One that is very lost and cold, Mum needs to get it back to the vets as soon as possible so it can be looked after and returned to warmer waters. The turtle has a tag like Puff did. They leave Tia and Nat on Devil Bird Island, only the wind gets up and they can't get back.

The night alone in a tent on Devil Bird Island proves a bit of an adventure as they hadn't actually asked why it was called Devil Bird... The tent has things wailing around it, and crashing into it!
Will Tia and Nat be ok?
What happens to the turtle? Is there a surprise for Tia?

TA, ESCP.