Charming and consumable! I can't wait to read more by Paul Mason - and Katy is a wonderful artist.

More Yeti Collective please!

Didn't realise that this book was a sequel when I requested it - I tried reading this and struggled to follow it and the storyline didn't have me interested enough to go back and read the first book

the brilliant second book in this series which sees the Yetis' home starting to lose their water supply. Can they make things right and will they need the help of humans to achieve their aims? A great adventure with lovely characters and some nasty villains.

The second installment in the International Yeti Collective series is just as good as the first.
Tadpole is a yeti youngling who lives in the Greybeard sett in the Scottish highlands, and they are soon to be hosting ambassadors from the other yeti setts in the collective who will be arriving by secret underground waterways. Worryingly though, the water levels in Shadowspring are running low and nobody knows what to do about it. For years the greybeards have lived hidden in the mountains, despite their sett being in close proximity to humans; however, the worlds of yeti and humans once again collide when Henry, a young boy who has been sent off to the nearby boarding school, stumbles across Tadpole. Will the sett remain a secret? And will Tadpole be able to solve the mystery of the rapidly depleting water supply?
As with the first book, this story has a strong ecological message, conveying the impact humans have on the planet, from plastic production to hunting. It also highlights the importance of working together despite differences and the themes of friendship and family are once again significant and heartwarming.

This is the second in the International Yeti Collective series and it was just as charming as the first. In Shadowspring, we follow the Greybeard Yetis (the map at the back shows them living in a Scotland) as they prepare for the first Gathering in recent years of yeti collectives from all over the world. However, they start to notice water levels dropping and there seems to be some kind of human influence. We also follow a Henry, sent to boarding school while his parents travel abroad, as he tries to find out more about his school and the mysterious shadows seen on the hillside.

It was a lovely whimsical book with such imagination - each yeti was brilliantly created and had personalities to match their name. I loved the environmental aspect of the book, with the yetis being able to look on and comment about the impact humans are having on the environment. There was so much courage and friendship in the book - it was a very enjoyable read!

I loved the first International Yeti Collective novel, so I was very excited to get hold of the sequel. It absolutely lived up to the promise of the first book.

Cryptozoology, environmentalism, unlikely friendships, high tension chases through dark forests, it's a thrilling and beautiful read.

Shadowspring focuses on a different group of Yeti, and it's one of my favourites! The Greybeards sett are based on stories of creatures seen in the Scottish Highlands, and they may be something I've looked for myself, though without any success in finding them. Tadpole (She of unripe character) is a young Greybeard yeti at the heart of this story, and she's just a wonderful character. The sett are preparing for the arrival of yetis from around the world, and one of the real strengths of this series is the way it incorporates cryptozoological examples from across the world. They were mentioned, and seen briefly, in the first book and here they play a much larger role. It bodes very well for this as an ongoing series that it's already tapping into so much promising material.

There's also Henry, a human child sent to a boarding school in Scotland. The school sequences are pretty good, establishing Henry and his environment, his new friends and the school bullies, and hinting at some sinister goings on on the school grounds.

Everything really kicks off when Henry and Tadpole inevitably meet, and most of the drama of the novel comes from the tension between their two worlds colliding, and the implications this could have for both of their separate societies. There's a lot in there about acceptance and fear of outsiders, and like the first novel there are some very timely environmental warnings here.

Shadowspring is excellent. A cryptozoological environmental warning, told with humour and warmth. It's also beautifully illustrated by Katy Riddell, who really captures the humour and humanity of the different yetis.

It was so lovely being back with this world. With gorgeous characters, some brilliant messages about the dangers of hunting, looking after water supplies and being kind to the environment, this series continues to be wonderful. I loved reading more about the ins and outs of Yeti Collective life and the names of the yeti still made me smile! I think Tadpole is a gorgeous character and I’m glad she met Hen-ree!

Shadowspring is the second book in the International Yeti Collective Series and I absolutely loved it. The yeti and human worlds collide in a wonderful fantasy adventure that is full of warmth, heart and important environmental messages.

In the Greybeard sett Shadowspring there is a problem, for some inexplicable reason the water is disappearing. The water level is running so low that the Greybeards are concerned that the other yeti tribe representatives will not be able to use the underground waterways to attend the Gathering.

Meanwhile, with his parents heading overseas on work business, Henry Wetwood finds himself at Halbrook Hall Boarding School. Legends and rumours talk of a Greybeard lurking in the misty mountains and forests that are next to the school but no-one has ever seen one.

On a hike up the mountain, Henry gets separated from the group and in the thick mist stumbles into danger where he meets a legendary Greybeard named Tadpole. From this moment on Paul Mason tells a fantastic adventure story that sees Henry and Tadpole coming together to save the yeti sett and stop the humans from stealing the water.

You know that Henry and Tadpole will meet at some point and when they do the friendship, connection and bond they share is wonderful. Greybeard Tadpole is lovely and so much fun and is nothing like the rumours, she is neither terrifying or ferocious.

There are many messages about the environment that are subtly woven into the tale. The Earth and creatures are in grave danger because the humans are irresponsible - polluting the skies, filling oceans with rubbish and destroying forests; humans living alongside nature and not destroying the environment; man and nature working together - as Shipshape alludes to, we need to learn to live alongside each other, not create barriers. There is also a message about trophy hunters and the risks they pose to animals.

The two stories are told alongside each other until the two narratives become intertwined as Henry must try and save Tadpole and the rest of the Greybeards from the hunters. The yeti naming system is brilliant and full of fun and humour and I love the illustrations by Katy Riddell which bring alive the characters.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Recommended for 7+.

I loved the first book in The International Yeti Collective and the second one, Shadowspring is just as wonderful. It is an action-packed, touching and incredibly satisfying read that left me longing for another yeti adventure.

Just like in the first book, I loved the yeti naming system which definitely brought smiles and giggles – so very, very clever! This would be brilliant to try with a class of children – and their teachers if brave enough!

Tadpole is a youngling yeti of the Greybeards sett which is led by her mother, Shipshape. They are getting ready to welcome the first Gathering of the 19 yeti setts in many, many years; however, they worry about whether the representatives of the International Collective can travel to them using the underground waterways as their home, Shadowspring’s water supply is rapidly diminishing. Does this have anything to do with the unusual tremors that they are experiencing?

Tadpole’s Grandfather, Snowdrift, has died, but Tadpole still communicates with him and, when her mother is in need of help, Snowdrift offers Tadpole a solution, a solution that leads to him meeting Henry Wetwood …

Henry has been sent to Halbrook Hall boarding school where he hears tales of the legendary Greybeards. Whilst out on a tramp up the local mountain, he finds himself in danger … and meets Tadpole …

So begins a wonderfully warm and action-packed adventure -and friendship- as Tadpole and Henry learn to trust each other, as they seek to solve the dilemma of the diminishing spring water supply, and as they face a threat to the Greybeards existence …

The friendship and acceptance which develops between Tadpole and Henry is wonderful as they take risks to protect each other and show great courage in the face of danger. Neither is afraid to break the rules in order to make a difference and stand up for what each believes is right.

This story has a clear environmental message about the need to preserve, respect and protect our natural resources, and the harm caused to wildlife by plastic pollution and trophy hunting, all issues which are handled sensitively through looking at them from the perspective of the yetis and a young boy attuned to his natural environment.

The full-page illustrations by Katy Riddell are just glorious, and brilliantly capture the personalities of these wonderful characters and their new friend, complementing the story perfectly.

Shadowspring is a delightfully warm-hearting adventure which is a brilliant continuation of this gorgeous series, perfect for readers of 8+ who I am sure will be just as captivated as I was by these Greybeards, protectors of the environment.

This was a very sweet story, suitable for 7+, with an unusual fantasy theme and a strong message about friendship and the environment. I loved the description of yeti society, and the way they hide from humans! Sometimes it was a bit of a jump moving to the story of the boy at boarding school, but in the end it ties together well. Recommended for boys and girls. Older children will appreciate the humour of the yetis names, and the delicious business baddies pumping away the water. A touch of classic boarding school story too!

Henry, a human boy, and Tadpole, a young Yeti, live parallel lives. When their paths cross, they make the most unlikely team. The International Yeti Collective: Shadowspring is a charming story of friendship, trust and helping others. There is an important message about protecting our national resources and respecting wildlife, nature and all living things running through the story which gives it depth and layors of meaning. This book is perfect for fans of folklore with an environmental edge.

Firstly, if you haven’t read the previous book in this series you can still read this one as it’s sort of a standalone with some links to the past but which don’t affect this story. I haven’t read the first book but I still enjoyed this one. A lovely entertaining adventure in the world of the yeti; I particularly loved the names and meanings of the various yeti (yetis?) and how each group protects a different part of the natural world. Once the main bit of the story got going the school aspect seemed sort of redundant which was a bit odd, but the description of the yeti sett and way of life was very imaginative and fascinating! Overall this was an exciting read and I will probably read the first one at some point too.

The collective is spread out all over the world with each strand of the species responsible for protecting something important while of course, trying to avoid detection from humans. For the British Greybeards they are the protectors of the shadowspring, the underground water that all life depends on in the wild. Someone or something is interfering with the water levels and things are looking glum for the inhabitants of Tadpole’s community. Tadpole and Henry should never have met, Greybeards and humans must not mix but saving him, brings more danger than either of them could ever expect.

The amusing & joyous names for the various greybeards and their definitions are a particular highlight of this series for me. It’s such an entertaining story but with an important message woven around the adventure. I can’t wait to read more about the other branches of the collective. There is so much potential with this series, the target audience will love it. I was glad to see that Mason had worked on a sequel so quickly. Bring on book 3!

After absolutely loving the first International Yeti Collective adventure, I was excited to learn that a sequel was on the way. Having just finished it, I'm delighted to say that it's equally as good. Paul Mason writes superbly about conservation and the importance of looking after the environment. He gets his message over with humour, while still addressing the issue with the seriousness that it deserves. The Yetis in this book are as lovable and engaging as the Yetis from the first story, and I genuinely cannot wait to see how the series develops. Will definitely be getting hold of a copy for my Year 6 classroom - highly recommended.

“You must do what your heart tells you is right …”

The Greybeards are finalising preparations for the first Gathering of the nineteen yeti setts that make up the International Yeti Collective in a very long time. Tadpole (she of unripe character) is the daughter of the sett’s leader, Shipshape (she in perfect order). Although Tadpole is next in line to become the leader of the Greybeards she doesn’t feel very much like a leader.

Much like the first book in the series, ‘Shadowspring’ has a message of conservation. The yeti are all protectors but each sett has its own area of responsibility. The Mountain Yeti from the first book do fungus maintenance and the Greybeards of Shadowspring clean the water they, the forest and humans use.

My favourite yeti character was Snowdrift (he with white fur), Tadpole’s grandfather, who was wise, loving and kind. Snowdrift had been friends with a human. Because of how dangerous humans are, yeti who interact with them face banishment if they are caught.

Like her grandfather, Tadpole also meets a human, Henry, who is settling into his new boarding school. Tadpole and Henry will need to work together when they find out the Greybeards are in danger.

I was also a pretty big fan of Lepus, the hare. Given how much I love etymology, I was impressed when Google told me that Lepus is Latin for ‘hare’.

Fun fact: Lepus is also a constellation. That makes the astronomy nerd part of me very happy.

Given how many setts we haven’t spent time with yet I’m expecting at least one more book in this series. You could read the second book without having already read the first and not be lost, although I‘d recommend reading them in order. There are references to the events of the first book in this one.

I liked both Tadpole and Henry. However I wasn’t as invested in their friendship as I was in Tick and Ella’s from the first book. This is the only reason I’m rating this book slightly lower than the first one.

““We share this Earth,” said Shipshape. “We should learn to live alongside each other. Not build barriers.””

While kids in particular will enjoy reading all of the fun yeti names, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this series to kids and adults alike.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Little Tiger Group, for the opportunity to read this book.

First up, a big thank you to the publisher/Netgalley for giving me this book to try out. Sadly, we didn't work together. I LOVED the parts at the boarding school, those were terrific, though I wonder why those parents didn't just leave their son in his own environment (with friends or with family) instead of dumping him (that is how I saw it) at a boarding school far far away.
But I wasn't a fan of the yetis. That one just didn't work for me and I found Tadpole annoying. It also definitely didn't help that every time we meet someone new she feels the need to explain their name (don't, I get the idea without explanation). Plus, even more parents who care more about work than their kid, she had to remind them once again of a play. Come on, parents, do better.
But I loved the boarding school setting and the illustrations that dotted the pages at times.

I was delighted to be back with the yetis again and the second adventure in this series finds us with the Greybeards, yetis in charge of cleansing the world’s water. The yeti setts from all over the world are due to meet for the first time in years and the Greybeards are getting everything ready for their arrival. Shipshape is the silverback, the yeti in charge of the Greybeard sett and Tadpole is her slightly unruly daughter and preparations aren’t going quite as planned. Shipshape is becoming quite clumsy and the water levels are going down every day but no one seems to know why.
Meanwhile, Henry Wetwood has been temporarily sent to Halbrook Hall boarding school whilst his parents go away for work. The locals talk of folklore and the Greybeard yetis, but no one is sure that they really exist. Whilst on a hike in the nearby mountains, Henry accidentally stumbles across Tadpole and is the first human to see a Greybeard for years. Henry and Tadpole strike up an unlikely friendship, made all the more difficult by being unable to speak the same language, but they manage to understand each other and come to each other’s aid when they need it most.

I love the yeti names and explanations - just as funny as in the first book! The illustrations are brilliant as well, I love looking at these whilst I’m reading the book! The environmental connection is also a really important theme in these books. This one makes particular reference to plastic pollution and is a really clever way of discussing environmental issues with children. Once again, I can’t wait to read more yeti adventures and find out about the different setts that make up The International Yeti Collective!

Paul Mason has an incredible talent for highlighting important environmental issues within the story of a yeti sett. It was brilliant to be back in the world of yetis caring for the Earth and trying to fix the mistakes and issues caused by humans. His first book was a huge success and this sequel is equally as wonderful and rich in dealing with issues surrounding us, from water levels, hunting, mining and pollution.

In this book, we are with the Greybeards sett, as they prepare for the first yeti collective gathering for some time. Yetis are coming together to discuss humans and the issues of the Earth. Yetis working together to protect the future of our planet. Tadpole is a greybeard who follows the advice of her departed grandfather, “follow your heart”. She will have some tough decisions to make throughout this exciting tale but by listening to her heart, she may just save the sett from humans!

Like the first book, there is human involvement in the form of a kid, Henry, and together with Tadpole, he can see the solution to the problem of falling water levels. Henry can also see the need to protect Tadpole and her community from local hunters keen to have a greybeard as a trophy.

At times thrilling, always honest and full of heart, this is one to share! I love the characters, their fantastic names and the gathering of the collective, creating a hope for more yeti tales to come!

It was wonderful to return to this amazing, fully realised world, that I first enjoyed in The International Yeti Collective. Paul Mason has excelled himself with this story. This book focusses on a different Yeti sett, and another group of humans. It has everything about it that I loved about the first story - the adventure, the Yeti society, acting as guardians of nature, the young human accidentally coming across the young Yeti. The characters are excellently realised - both Yeti and human. The Yeti society is similar and different to our own, and shines through without any descriptive interruptions to the story. There are also has the beautiful illustrations by Katy Riddell, that really bring the story to life.

I can’t recommend this series enough, to children and adults. This world just seems so real, and I can’t tell you how much I wish it was! I really hope that there will be many more books in this series.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Shadowspring. I haven't yet read book one, but I found no trouble picking this up and engaging with the plot. Some of the children in my class (Year 4) have read the first book, and their love of the story was a major factor in picking up this title.
And I wasn't disappointed. The narrative follows along at a brisk pace, and follows the simultaneous tales of Henry - a young boy, and Tadpole - a young yeti!
The story deals with how perspectives can be different, and that humans can be the monsters - but also gives lots of reference to ecology and the need to save the environment, which I thought were woven well into the tale.
As an adult, the plot twists were simplistic, but I would imagine that they would work perfectly for a child in Key Stage 2, and give plenty of excitement to maintain their attention.
I'd be happy to recommend this book to my new class, and place it on my bookshelves.