The Woodland Badger: Selected for Bookbuzz Primary 2026

About this book

Poppy adores nature and loves helping at her mum’s allotment or venturing into the wild woodland beyond it. One evening, inspired by a fellow gardener, she watches for nocturnal animals and spots a young badger for the very first time – a moment that sparks a passion within her as she watches it snuffle around for grubs and worms. Then, news arrives that the woodland is set to be cleared to make room for new housing, so Poppy and her mum rally together, determined to protect the badger’s home before it’s too late.

Holly Webb’s writing is gentle and evocative, drawing readers into the quiet woodland world so that they can almost smell the damp earth and hear the rustle of leaves. The writing is accessible, with short chapters for younger readers who are beginning to explore stories independently, and it is peppered with moments of humour and tenderness, keeping children, especially animal lovers, captivated throughout. David Dean’s accompanying artwork really enhances the book’s appeal too, bringing the characters and their environment to life through fresh black and white illustrations.

This book would enhance any home or school bookshelf and is perfect for animal lovers. It would be a great choice of book to gently introduce themes and open up discussions about conservation and the environment.

About the author

About the illustrator