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Evie and the Animals

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Evie and the Animals

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Natascha McElhone
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About this listen

An enchanting new chapter book for children, from number one best-selling author Matt Haig; cover illustration by the award-winning Emily Gravett.

Evie is a little girl with a special talent. She can talk to animals. But when she rescues the school rabbit, Gerald, and sets him free, Evie lands in big trouble. She promises her dad never to talk to animals again. For a whole year, Evie ignores them all. She doesn’t chat to the birds and dogs. She even ignores a little silver tabby cat who miaows: ‘Help me! Help me!’

But when Evie sees the same silver kitten on a missing poster, she secretly starts using her magical gift again. Soon she discovers that this cat isn't the only animal to have gone missing in town. And if Evie won’t find them, who will?

©2019 Matt Haig (P)2019 Canongate Books Ltd Action & Adventure Animals Animals & Nature Fantasy Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Suspenseful Feel-Good
All stars
Most relevant
Dr Doolittle idea with contemporary conservation issues

Haig's standalone chapter book is exciting and enticing - who wouldn't like to talk to animals?!

Evie can understand other species. Neighbourhood dogs, the school rabbit who only wants to be set free. Almost discovered, her dad makes her promise not to use her ability again. But animals begging for help that she's ignored are now turning up on 'missing' posters...

There are a lot of missing animals. And there may be more to her ability than she knows. Will she use her power to try and help?

This is a fairly short but stimulating story, full of features that readers will love - talking animals, exciting episodes (big cats at the zoo!), a bad guy, mystery. Evie and her power are key to the whole thing, and she's a realistic young protagonist, never scornful about her ability, caring of animals and people around her, brave.

It's quite a good little mystery for children, and pitched at a reader who can read by themself and needs some stimulating, more grown-up feeling short-ish novels.

I enjoyed the book but didn't like the narrator on the Audible version I'm afraid. And my husband who listened partway through said this too, without me commenting first. Can't really put my finger on why, but she didn't feel right voicing Evie and the animals. My son wasn't at all bothered, he listened quite avidly and followed the story easily.

For ages 7-11.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Dr Doolittle idea...

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This book is the kind of book that kids want to read today ! Adults could be fascinated by it too! 💖💖

An incredible book

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very captivating story and my elder children were hooked on every word, they're 11, 6

Good listen for children

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Love Matt Haig-such deep and meaningful values, cleverly presented in an exciting adventure with beautiful characters.

True values. Beautiful characters.

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I rate this book 'Fairly nice', that is the title of my review.
The overall is OK, but it is a little sad. There are somber parts in the story. For example: When Evie almost became expelled, also, Evie does not know her mom very much, ETC.
The performance was fine, however, the reader, Natascha Mcelohne did not have very much expression in her voice.
However, the story rating was top notch. I love animals, and sometimes I try to communicate with creatures just like the girl in the story did.
I am now a fan of this book.

-Lucas C Reed. 8 years old.

Fairly nice.

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