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Animal Stories #60
The Bold Kitten
Hana and her family have recently fled Syria to stay with a boy called Oscar and his family in the UK. Hana is confused and lonely when she first arrives - she doesn't speak much English, and while her host family seem kind, she misses her friends back home.Then Oscar introduces her to the litter of cats his family are fostering, and Hana falls in love with the brave tortoiseshell kitten named Amal.
The more time Hana spends with Amal, the more confident she begins to feel, until her mum reveals that the kittens are ready to be adopted, including Amal.Hana doesn't want her to go - can she find a way for them to stay together?
Celebrate the heart-warming 60th story in best-selling author Holly Webb's ANIMAL STORIES series. Perfect for fans of ZOE'S RESCUE ZOO, MAGIC ANIMAL FRIENDS and Michael Morpurgo!
The more time Hana spends with Amal, the more confident she begins to feel, until her mum reveals that the kittens are ready to be adopted, including Amal.Hana doesn't want her to go - can she find a way for them to stay together?
Celebrate the heart-warming 60th story in best-selling author Holly Webb's ANIMAL STORIES series. Perfect for fans of ZOE'S RESCUE ZOO, MAGIC ANIMAL FRIENDS and Michael Morpurgo!
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2025
8 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 25, 2025
Not sure how to review this one, to be honest.
I picked this up for the kids of my friend and I decided to read it too. The book it self is easy to read, fairly simple language with a Syrian refugee family and a host family here in the UK. The British family has a kittens arriving basically at the same time as the Syrian refugee family (2 adults and 2 kids) you get a glimpse of their interactions but there’s not depth in relationships or anything dramatic no mention of war or PTSD either. So it’s fairly safe to most readers.
I’ve never read anything by the author before so I’m not aware of her particular style or themes at all. I find it in a way extremely simplistic and in a way a bit uncomfortable as we know all the names of the British family but the Syrian parents are always referred as Baba and Mama, though the story is mostly told by a narrator, the main character is Hanna so is understood that she would say Baba and Mama, but as I mention the story is not always told from Hanna’s perspective.
⛔️Stop reading if you don’t want spoilers
The fact that the main character is a refugee is not heavily exploited the story is more about how she really becomes friends host kid Oscar and how she bonded with one of the kittens, which she was allowed to name (but was not told they were going to give up for adoption) So I felt irritated by that, as if she was supposed to know their plans? It felt cruel, rather than a “cultural” difference.
That’s why I’m giving it 2. because the author chose to erase Hanna’s parents names but kept Oscar’s even the cat and kittens, are named (even after giving them a new home) as well as the choice to be cruel to a 9 year old Syrian refugee, I felt it was used as a plot twist and was very unnecessary, regardless of the happy ending.
I picked this up for the kids of my friend and I decided to read it too. The book it self is easy to read, fairly simple language with a Syrian refugee family and a host family here in the UK. The British family has a kittens arriving basically at the same time as the Syrian refugee family (2 adults and 2 kids) you get a glimpse of their interactions but there’s not depth in relationships or anything dramatic no mention of war or PTSD either. So it’s fairly safe to most readers.
I’ve never read anything by the author before so I’m not aware of her particular style or themes at all. I find it in a way extremely simplistic and in a way a bit uncomfortable as we know all the names of the British family but the Syrian parents are always referred as Baba and Mama, though the story is mostly told by a narrator, the main character is Hanna so is understood that she would say Baba and Mama, but as I mention the story is not always told from Hanna’s perspective.
⛔️Stop reading if you don’t want spoilers
The fact that the main character is a refugee is not heavily exploited the story is more about how she really becomes friends host kid Oscar and how she bonded with one of the kittens, which she was allowed to name (but was not told they were going to give up for adoption) So I felt irritated by that, as if she was supposed to know their plans? It felt cruel, rather than a “cultural” difference.
That’s why I’m giving it 2. because the author chose to erase Hanna’s parents names but kept Oscar’s even the cat and kittens, are named (even after giving them a new home) as well as the choice to be cruel to a 9 year old Syrian refugee, I felt it was used as a plot twist and was very unnecessary, regardless of the happy ending.
January 25, 2025
Best-selling author Holly Webb returns with her 60th book in her Animal stories, a heartwarming tale of Hana and Amal, the kitten.
Hana who is nine and her Syrian family have arrived in the UK from a refuge camp. They are staying with a host family who have a son, Oscar who is the same age as Hana. Oscar’s family are also looking after a cat named Rose and her kittens.
It is very hard for Hana and her family beginning a new life in a country where everything is different from home. Everyone tries really hard with language and in school the children have learnt Arabic words to welcome Hana. But one thing that brings a lot of comfort is the cats where only the language of cuddles, love and warmth matter. Hana finds a great affinity with one of the kittens, with its tri-colour coat, and she names the calico cat, Amal, meaning dreams and hope.
When Oscar inadvertently tells Hana that the cats will be ready for a new home soon, Hana feels devastated and plots a way for Amal to stay with her forever.
With eight chapters and a larger font size, this is book that’s aimed at early independent readers or children moving on to listening to longer stories. The inclusion of black and white illustrations helps readers transitioning from picture books as well. The story is written with great sensitivity and empathy especially with a main character who has been displaced. The connection between the children is beautifully portrayed and the ending of the story works out so well. It’s a lovely idea to hear Amal’s side of the tale too. Holly Webb certainly knows how cats behave!
For fans of Holly Webb’s books, cats and heartwarming stories, this is a gentle and uplifting tale.
Hana who is nine and her Syrian family have arrived in the UK from a refuge camp. They are staying with a host family who have a son, Oscar who is the same age as Hana. Oscar’s family are also looking after a cat named Rose and her kittens.
It is very hard for Hana and her family beginning a new life in a country where everything is different from home. Everyone tries really hard with language and in school the children have learnt Arabic words to welcome Hana. But one thing that brings a lot of comfort is the cats where only the language of cuddles, love and warmth matter. Hana finds a great affinity with one of the kittens, with its tri-colour coat, and she names the calico cat, Amal, meaning dreams and hope.
When Oscar inadvertently tells Hana that the cats will be ready for a new home soon, Hana feels devastated and plots a way for Amal to stay with her forever.
With eight chapters and a larger font size, this is book that’s aimed at early independent readers or children moving on to listening to longer stories. The inclusion of black and white illustrations helps readers transitioning from picture books as well. The story is written with great sensitivity and empathy especially with a main character who has been displaced. The connection between the children is beautifully portrayed and the ending of the story works out so well. It’s a lovely idea to hear Amal’s side of the tale too. Holly Webb certainly knows how cats behave!
For fans of Holly Webb’s books, cats and heartwarming stories, this is a gentle and uplifting tale.
January 24, 2025
A short, illustrated chapter book with a lovely message of kindness, perfect for readers aged 6/7+
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
December 28, 2025
Hana and her family have just arrived in Britain from Syria. They are staying with a host family - Oscar, his mum and dad. Oscar introduces Hana to Rose the cat and her kittens.
As Hana adjusts to life in the UK, she falls in love with the calico kitten which she names Amal.
Soon it is time for the kittens to find new homes. Hana is very upset that Amal could be leaving and tries to find a way to keep her.
A cute story of friendship and belonging. Great for opening discussions about immigration and welcoming new friends.
My children loved the funny kitten escapades and the happy ending. (And now they want a cat of their own 😹)
As Hana adjusts to life in the UK, she falls in love with the calico kitten which she names Amal.
Soon it is time for the kittens to find new homes. Hana is very upset that Amal could be leaving and tries to find a way to keep her.
A cute story of friendship and belonging. Great for opening discussions about immigration and welcoming new friends.
My children loved the funny kitten escapades and the happy ending. (And now they want a cat of their own 😹)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews