"A magical tale of one mischievous otter bursting with charm, wit and wonder" — Hannah Gold

From bestselling author of Adventures on Trains, M.G.Leonard, and beautifully illustrated in full colour by award-winning illustrator of The Hug, Polly Dunbar, this gorgeous hardback gift book is inspired by and celebrates the 95th anniversary of EH Shepard’s iconic artwork for The Wind in the Willows.

There is a time in a young otter’s life when they must be introduced to their river. For Portly, today was that day …

Told across four seasons in one year, little Portly has the greatest of adventures. Among other fur-raising encounters, the youngest of Mrs Otter’s pups learns to swim, battles a large trout, rescues a human girl, outwits the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood and sleeps in the care of the god Pan – a scene familiar to readers of the original book.

Full of all the charm, nostalgia and sounds of splashing in the river that fans of The Wind in the Willows have fallen in love with over the years, M.G.Leonard’s faithful spin-off will enchant an entirely new generation.

The perfect Easter gift for both new readers and existing fans – young and old!

“This magical retelling bubbles with wonder, joy and love.” — Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

“A glorious future classic” — Alexander Armstrong, author of Evenfall

"Marvellous tales, full of sparkle and charm” — Sophie Anderson, author of The Girl Who Speaks Bear

"One of the loveliest books I've read in a long time” — Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars

"A story that ripples with the gentleness of childhood wonder and friendship.” — Leah Lane, @mymulberryhouse