Aubrey and the Terrible Spiders

Aubrey Rambunctious Wolf is a boy with a special talent. He can understand and talk to animals which is very handy when you're trying to stop a villainous plot.

This is the first Aubrey book I've read, which in retrospect was a bit silly of me because I don't usually like to come in midway through a story so I've missed Aubrey's previous adventures.

However I still liked this book a lot. The info says its for 9 - 12 year olds but I'd have thought a slightly younger audience would appreciate it too.

The story is quote clever in that it teaches us that there may be no quick fixes to solving the earth's problems but we all need to do something, if you're going to be a warrior then be one who fights for peace and if you're brave you'll find the things you are scared of aren't quite that frightening after all.

I like the messages it wraps up in a neat little story that's funny and interesting. I like that Horatio Clare uses hero animals and insects that are unusual for heroes - silverfish and hornets, for example.

Frankly any book that promotes kindness, understanding and a bit more love gets my vote.

Thankyou to Netgalley for the ARC. Most appreciated. I'm going to go back and read the first two Aubrey stories now.

I'm sorry, I thought it was a new book. I already read and reviewed this one
My review:
This is a book that deals in an interesting way with serious topics like depressions without turning into a depressing or very sad book.
The characters are fleshed out and the author did a good job in developing the plot.
I'm sure it will be appreciated by children.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

'I think Ariadne should say it,' Aubrey said. 'It's not up to humans anymore' (173)
And with this Clare's thesis is made.
Aubrey is a boy who has an affinity with wild creatures; he can talk and listen to them. He and his friends Ariadne the spider, Silvio the silverfish, Villi the hornet, Hoppy the squirrel and Lupo the husky pup must save the adults from the great spider attack of the Tarantella - a plan from Big B to force humans to listen to, and start taking care of, the planet.
In places the prose is a little bit stilted but it's mostly laugh out loud funny as Aubrey and his friends plot and plan. A lovely use of dialogue makes this a snappy, fun read with a serious message. It's a great premise and KS2 readers will love it. Could work as a lovely read-aloud in a climate unit or for turning into a performance piece in younger years.