Bayberry Island: An Adventure About Friendship and the Journey Home

Brambleheart #2

by Henry Cole

In Henry Cole’s beautifully illustrated sequel to Brambleheart, reminiscent of Brian Jacques’s Redwall and Avi’s Poppy series, Twig’s fantastical adventures continue as he and his animal friends set sail to reunite Char with his dragon family.

Twig never thought he would leave the Hill again. But now Twig and his friends Basil and Lily find themselves on a dangerous journey downriver to bring Char home.

Unsure of where they are going, or how far they will travel from home, the crew will have to work together and find their sea legs if they want to stay afloat. Will they survive the catastrophes nature throws their way and find Char's mysterious island home? 

Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Chapter Books

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2017

About the author

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children's books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Nesting, Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack's Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside where he can sketch and write.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely drawings again and a few good quotes/moments, but only an ok story.

[Maja Todorovska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Date read: 21 Sep 2021

Rating: 3/5

A joint review for Brambleheart and Bayberry Island by Henry Cole

These two books are delightful little read and I recommend reading them back-to-back. The adventures of the poor little squirel Twig and his friends are a good bit of fun if you're in the mood for something light.

Twig is very lovable, even when he makes some very silly mistakes. The other characters are also fun, starting with the dragon Char to Twig's friend Lilly to even the 'villains' of the story.

It evokes the feeling of a fable, but still feels modern thanks to the way the characters speak and the technology the reference. The world itself is interesting. It's a mix of our familiar human world, a hyperbolic fable world and a fantasy 'dragons exist' world. It makes for an interesting mixture.

One thing I have to note is that it feels like the end of the second book feels a bit rushed. It feels like we're either missing some resolution at the end or there's supposed to be a third book.

Either way, these books are a fun read, especially considering the (almost nonexistent) time investment. Pick them up if you want a story that will throw you back to your childhood.

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure story for a read aloud! Using for a parent child book club. (Library)

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I liked Brambleheart, the prequel. You may be somewhat lost if you haven’t read it. A sweet continuation of Brambleheart.

[Leslie M. Cann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to one I read for a reading program at school. Since I’m not the target audience this is the rating I’m giving. It was a cute story and has beautiful pencil drawings throughout the book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute sequel to Brambleheart. Lua loved it! I enjoyed the twist at the end. Sweet story of friendship and bravery.

[Rayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to Brambleheart, this cute adventure story is a perfect bedtime story with just enough illustrations to keep younger kids interested and just enough plot to keep older kids engaged.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previewed this one for my daughter. I picked this one and its companion title while thrifting because it looked sweet - and it is!

This isn't classic literature, but it's cute and fun and there isn't anything particularly concerning in it. There is a "follow your heart" message included in these titles, but it emphasizes it more in the area of finding what you love to do and pursuing it.

(I thought the first title in this duo was the stronger of the two and therefore gave it a higher rating.)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twig and Lily, perfect friends to aid a baby dragon and find it's home. They traverse the sea and many adventures as they try to survive. Sadly, Basil, who they thought was a friend, was a foe, along with is uncle, Professor Burdock. Out for money, Burdock wants the baby dragon back. All ends well in this book.

The easy reader book is refreshing and simple in its own way. Free of modern drama. Just a lesson about friendship and doing the right thing. The pencil illustrations are gorgeous. 💓💓💓💓

[Kristin Eoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts right after the first one left off. Honestly, it might have been better to just combine the two books into one book. This book was going along OK until an unexpected and somewhat confusing complication occurs at the end and doesn't make that much sense. And then the book ends almost as abruptly as the first one did. It's a cute story, with cute pictures, but isn't very deep.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story for children. They learn about friendship, adversity, being adventurous, bravery, and the reality that not all creatures are friendly or kind. The black and white pencil drawings are great. As one reviewer said, "Twig is what all heroes-large and small-should be: charming, courageous, and kind." I can't wait to share this story with my great-grandson.

[Tessa McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twig, Lily, and Basil have set sail in search of Char’s family. Their voyage takes them out to sea where a terrible storm destroys their vessel. However, a friendly sea turtle transports the bedraggled group to a small island. Soon after their landing, the friends encounter several of Char’s siblings but still no mother dragon in sight. Before Twig and Lily can go search for her, Basil betrays his friends by leading his Uncle Burdock to the group.

This sequel to Cole’s Brambleheart is a light-hearted adventure great for young readers. Cole’s graphite illustrations continue to set a lively pace for Twig’s follies and successes. In this story, Twig gains some much needed confidence because his friends are looking to him for direction and leadership. However, when Burdock arrives, Twig retreats within himself, due to his hurtful history with Burdock. It is only when Char and his siblings are kidnapped and Lily is threatened that Twig rallies his confidence to face Burdock head on. Luckily, Twig gets a huge boost with a humongous mother dragon by his side. A sweet and satisfying end to Cole’s Brambleheart duology.

(Review found on Children’s Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute kids book with talking animals who apparently have opposable thumbs because they do a lot of stuff like build nets and sail boats. :) I read it to my 7 year old and he really liked it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun sequel - a perfect bridging chapter book for 3rd and 4th graders who want the feeling of reading a "thicker" book, but who are afraid of the challenge as well.
Great story and the right balance of words and illustration. Fun!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bramblehear was givin to us by our school district for a family reading initiative. My family loved it so much we bought this book to see how the story ended. This is truly a sweet, quick read the whole family will enjoy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about friendship.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but don't think about it too much because the plot holes are a mile wide.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story without dumbed-down vocabulary. Highly enjoyable!

[John Bohnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charming book by Henry Cole.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was okay; my 10yo loved it.

[Amanda Zayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most adorable story for an elementary school read aloud

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bayberry Island is a pretty good book. I liked the pictures in the book. I would give this book 3.8 stars.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. My kids enjoyed

[Tara]

The boys and I enjoyed this sequel to Brambleheart.

[Lorie LovesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit better than the first book because it was mostly and adventure story. I liked the characters they met along the way. I like dragons and this book had a lot more fun with the dragon.

[Marnie Bebej · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son really liked these books and I enjoyed reading them

[R1 Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but not as good as the first book. I think that my new favorite dragon is Shadow.

[Lindsey_reads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4 and 5 year old loved it

[Lucia Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a sweet sequel to Brambleheart where animals take on human characteristics to show trials and triumphs of young lives.

[Janel Ensinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun family read aloud