Storm Bird Magic

Storm Bird Magic

🩷🌊🪶♻️

by Gill Lewis

★★★★

At a glance

Things I loved:

✍🏼 Author: Gill Lewis

🎨 Illustrator: Irina Avgustinovich

📅 Release Date: 9th April 2026

📚 Book type: Dyslexia-friendly chapter, 72 pages

🌟 Reader level: Growing

🩷 A kind-hearted vet family
🪶 Protecting storm petrels
🌊 Dreamy island setting
♻️ Environmental themes -plastic pollution and conservation
📚 Super accessible for new or less confident readers
🏞️ A gentle adventure

Dive Deeper

My Thoughts...

I picked this one up at the Exploding Words Festival at Sterts because, once again, it’s a Barrington Stoke book - my students love these for their accessibility. This one is the shortest I’ve read (just 58 pages) with clear font, simple words, and lovely illustrations.

The story is about Nat, whose mum is a vet on the Haven Islands. Nat is curious about her dad’s thermal camera, which turns out to be for protecting endangered seabirds (storm petrels) near the lighthouse. The plot is gentle, touching on environmental care and seaside life, with a bit of local sailing history.

I loved the setting of the Haven Islands. Each island (Seal Haven, Girl Haven, Dolphin Cove) sounds dreamy, and it gives a lovely sense of place.

I also really appreciated the themes: protecting wildlife, addressing plastic pollution, and caring for animals, making it a great conversation starter.

🌟I’d recommend this to Year 1+ readers. It’s a perfect class read for KS1, especially if you’re exploring seaside or environmental themes. It’s not an elaborate plot—just a gentle, sweet story for young readers.🌟

Blurb

Long-lost fairies hiding near the lighthouse?

Chickens belonging to a sea witch that warn sailors of coming storms?

There are a lot of wild stories going about as some tall ships seek shelter in Gull Have Bay. Tia and Nat don’t believe any of them to begin with. But when Nat’s dad helps unravel the truth, they learn about a seabird that’s in danger.

Can Tia and Nat find a way to help, and will it allow them to rediscover the magic of the real world all around them in their island home?