email: contact@antonywootten.co.uk
Website: https://antonywootten.co.uk
Facebook: @awauthor
LinkedIn: @antonywootten
Mobile: 07719 814429
Feedback from Antony’s School Visits:
Antony Wootten’s debut novel, A Tiger Too Many, is a
dramatic and powerful page-turner for the 9-12 age range.
Set in London Zoo during World War II, it is a tense tale of a
young girl’s desperate struggle to save her beloved tiger-cub.
Despite the traumas of air-raids and evacuation, and her
older brother going missing in action, Jill never gives up,
even when the zoo itself is bombed and she finds herself
amongst the burning debris...
Open Book Awards Highly Recommended Award winner
LoveReading4Kids.com: “enchanting from the word go.” A Debut of the Month!
The Northeast, Middlesbrough & Teesside Evening Gazette’s December 2011 Book of the Month!
Newbury Weekly News, 8/12/11: “well written and retains the reader’s interest, so that he or she cares about what happens to the
characters as the story zips along.”
TheBookbag.co.uk: “real edge-of-the-seat-stuff”. “Buy it? Yes.”
Karen Langtree, children’s author, tweeted: “I just finished A Tiger Too Many. A superb book Compares to a Michael Morpurgo
with ease Wonderful characters gripping story” [sic] (@karenlangtree)
Donna Fawcett, KS2 teacher: “Can I just say an enormous well done for writing such a fantastic book 'A Tiger too many' you had us
on the edge of our seats! Grace read the book at bedtime over three nights and that is good going for a bit of a reluctant reader! I must
tell you that your book then inspired her to read and read and she has not stopped - so thank you for that!”
Judith Corcoran, KS2 teacher, Chessington: “A Tiger Too Many proved to be an excellent starting point for the children’s
learning about World War 2. From the opening paragraph they were hooked into the story and their interest in the war was captured.
The pace and suspense of the story maintained their enthusiasm and the constant references to the events of the war and the way in
which it impacted upon everyday life enabled their learning to be extended. The book sparked a wealth of writing opportunities.”
An Amazon reader review: “This book really gripped my daughter who is 11. She couldn't put it down and read it in three evenings.
We were going to read it together but she couldn't help but finish the book on her own because she was so excited by the story and loved
the characters! She told me each morning what had happened in what she'd read the night before, with eyes wide open, bursting to tell
me the details. She told me that she feels like Antony Wootten "didn't need pictures in his books because he creates pictures with
words" and she feels very strongly that he should write a sequel to this book. I felt that it was extremely well written and I would agree
with everything my daughter has said about it. I think this particular combination of subject matter, adventure and character
development is inspired! We are looking forward now to reading all of Antony Wootten's books!”
A Tiger Too Many
£8 paperback | £2.50 Kindle (Amazon)
Read an extract
Buy signed copies and school sets
![[x]](index_htm_files/close.png "Close")
A Tiger Too Many
Brian is always in trouble at school, and his home life is far
from peaceful. So he often runs away to the cave by the sea
where he has happy memories. But there is something else
in the cave: a creature, lonely and confused. Together they
visit another world where they find wonderful friends, but
also deadly enemies. Brian's life is torn between the two
worlds, and he begins to feel that, in his own world at least,
grown-ups can't be friends with dragons.
TheBookbag.co.uk: “a lovely story, particularly for the older tweens and younger teens, touching, as it does, on some serious issues -
the loss of a parent, teenage pregnancy and the child who feels isolated. It's all done in a non-preachy fashion and I'd like to thank the
publisher for sending a copy to the Bookbag.”
LoveReading4Kids: “a fast-paced and ultimately heart-warming tale that will appeal to 8+ year olds, particularly boys and a lovely
read for fathers and sons to share.”
Michelle Nicholson, Primary School Teacher, North Yorkshire: "Picked this book up on Saturday night and couldn't put it
down until it was finished. Gripping story. Each chapter left me wanting more!!! I just had to know how it ended. As a primary school
teacher I could relate the main character's feelings to some of the children I have worked with, and we can all relate to feeling that the
world is against us sometimes. What an excellent read. Can't wait for more! Worth every penny...and more!"
A letter from a parent:
Dear Antony,
My daughter and I recently finished reading your book ‘Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends With Dragons’ and I wanted to take the
opportunity to tell you how much we enjoyed the story. We found it completely absorbing and very moving. We would look forward to
bedtime reading to see what drama would unfold in the next chapter. As a teacher of drama I really appreciated each character and how
they interacted with one another and the final chapter lefts us feeling like we had lived the adventure with Brian! Thank you for giving
us a wonderful experience.
We look forward to reading more of your work.
Best regards,
Jason Anders
An Amazon reader review: “This book works brilliantly on so many levels. My daughter had intuitively described the dragon as the
main character's counsellor and now I've read it, I can see what she meant. This is the story of a boy becoming a young man and
realising that life is indeed about helping others. There are the two sides to the main character's life, the real, very emotionally difficult
side and the imaginary/ fantasy side which helps him reconcile himself to his alcoholic father. The dragon helps heal the boy and
Antony Wooten never sherks away from addressing difficult themes. The book is exciting, moving and thought provoking about the
meaning of life and about why people are as they are. It's compassionate in it's portrayal of the characters and paints wonderful
pictures in the mind.”
Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends
With Dragons
Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends With Dragons
The Grubby Feather Gang is a short book for KS2 readers. At just
100 pages, it also makes a great choice for teachers looking for a
guided reading or class reading book which can be completed in
half a term.
It is 1916, and George’s father refuses to go and fight in the
trenches of World War 1. He is branded a coward, and George does
not know what to think. Worse still, the school bully hangs George
upside-down from the hayloft, and the next day, George gets the
cane! So, with a bit of help from Emma, a curious newcomer to the
village, he decides to take daring and drastic revenge on both the
bully and his teacher. But he could never have predicted what happens next…
The Grubby Feather Gang is the story of four friends helping each other cope with their parents’ problems.
Literary Titan award winner and 5 star review: click here
(the late) Jonny Zucker - children’s author: “A well plotted novel about children living through tough
times. A very entertaining read.”
Karen Langtree - children’s author: “Just finished reading this. Another great book Antony. Love
your characters. Love the issues you chose to explore. Love how it flows. Will there be another?”
Achuka: “If subsequent titles are as good as this, ACHUKA will be happy to help promote them.” Read
Achuka’s review - click here!
TheBookbag.co.uk: “The Grubby Feather Gang is a book to read and discuss - and the characters will
stay with you for a long time after you've turned the final page.” Read thebookbag.co.uk’s full review -
click here!
The School Librarian: “There is much to think about in this strong narrative. In just one hundred
pages of crisp prose and sharp observations we are invited to consider war and pacifism, cowardice and
bravery, family tensions, conscription, bullying and friendship. That may sound rather heavy, but this
story is warm, uplifting, and ultimately positive.” Read the full review (WARNING: CONTAINS
SPOILERS!) - Click here!
Red City Review: “Antony Wootten does a nice job of getting the reader to see that each character,
including the children’s abrasive teacher, behave in certain ways that one simply cannot understand
without digging deeper into the person’s circumstances. A nice read to start a conversation on oftentimes
hushed topics, The Grubby Feather Gang is a great book to read together with one’s older elementary to
middle and high school age children.”
The Grubby Feather Gang
Literary Titan Review
Rating: 5/5
The story follows George, a boy caught in the middle of a village torn up by war
and judgment. He deals with bullying, fear, and the shame that others try to pin
on his family because his father refuses to fight. As he meets Emma and Stan, the
three of them slip into this oddly sweet little friendship that grows out of chaos.
They stumble into adventures, trouble, and eventually form the Grubby Feather
Gang, a tiny group held together by loyalty and a grubby feather that somehow
becomes a symbol of hope instead of cowardice.
Reading it felt like sitting beside these kids as their lives spun between fear and
laughter. I found myself rooting for George right away. His thoughts felt real in
this quiet, aching way. Sometimes I wanted to shake him, other times I just
wanted to hug the kid. The writing surprised me. It has this softness running
through all the messy bits. Even the sad scenes didn’t feel heavy for long because
there was always some little spark of warmth or humor waiting around the
corner. And Emma cracked me up constantly. She felt like the friend who shows
up loud and strange and instantly makes everything better.
What I liked most were the ideas behind the story. It’s a book about courage that
doesn’t sound preachy. It tackles judgment and fear and the pressure to fit in. But
it does it through the eyes of children who are trying to make sense of a world that
doesn’t make sense at all. Some moments hit harder than I expected. Other
scenes felt gentle and simple in a way that made me smile without thinking about
it. I liked that the book didn’t pretend everything gets fixed, only that sticking
together makes the hard stuff feel less impossible.
I’d recommend this book to kids who enjoy stories with heart and a bit of grit, and
to adults who like children’s books that don’t talk down to anyone. It’s great for
readers who want friendship, trouble, and a little hope woven into history.
The Grubby Feather Gang
Season of the Mammoth is an adventure story for KS2 readers. It
offers teachers a way in to some challenging topics such as
immigration, racism, peer pressure and climate change. At just 100
pages, it makes a great class or group reader for primary schools.
Trouble is brewing in the tribe. The people are divided. Some want
to go to war against the wanderers who travel to their valley every
year to hunt mammoths, but others see that the wanderers are
dying out and need help. Geb and Tannash, the son and daughter of
the tribal leader, along with their strange friend, Scrim, are caught
in the middle as the tribe splits apart and turns on itself. Can they – should they – help defend the
wanderers?
Season of the Mammoth is a short book for KS2 readers. At just 100 pages, it also makes a great choice for
teachers looking for a guided reading or class reading book which can be completed in half a term.
TheBookbag.co.uk: “Season of the Mammoth packs a lot of story and action into its one hundred pages. […] It's a
great, pacy story, full of action and excitement, and plenty of heroism, but it also leads into wider themes that can be
discussed in the context of modern life. There's the obvious parallel of prejudice and racism - what's wrong with the
wanderers? Is different the same thing as bad? And immigration - should land and homes be shared with incomers?
And climate change too - what happens when the ecology is shifting and resources are getting scarcer? How do we share
equitably?
Season of the Mammoth is a great book for confident readers coming into KS2. The story itself is engaging,
entertaining and exciting and offers a vicarious peek into a long ago world. But it also provides a platform for
constructive discussion about the big topics of today. One for the classroom or for parents and child to share.
Recommended.”
Amazon reader: “A most unusual subject yet a really compelling read. Once started I became engrossed in the power
battle between the rivals. The characters come alive and the story builds to an exciting climax. Recommended for adults
as well as children!”
A US Amazon reader’s review: “This story is divided into ten parts plus, at the end, informative author’s notes. The
reading is very appealing and captivating. This tale is aimed at children aged 9-12; it is a simple read that catches any
young reader’s attention. It tells the story of a tribe in which people are divided in two; those who want to go to war
against the wanderers and those who want to help them. Geb, Tannash and Scrim are caught in the middle of all this
not knowing if helping the wanderers or not. The author used a third person narrator point of view, which is great to
describe all the action of his work. I think this is perfect for children’s books. His writing style is very good; it is simple
and easy to understand.
All in all, this is a perfect read for children. My niece and nephew loved the story. I am sure I am reading more books
from this author. Well deserved 5 stars go to Season of the Mammoth.”
Season of the Mammoth
Season of the Mammoth
A collection of Antony’s hilarious limericks for all the family to
enjoy. Featuring everything from King Arthur and his knights to
inter-stellar space-travel, There Was An Old Fellow From Skye is
packed with tiny tales which will tickle the ribs of children and
adults alike.
LoveReading4Kids.co.uk: “This is a little pot of gold with lots of clever
rhymes guaranteed to make you laugh.”
Amazon reader: “5.0 out of 5 stars Highly amusing! I read this to my 8 year old - we did the full book in one night,
once we started we couldn't stop. The limericks are cleverly written and appeal to young and old alike.”
There Was An Old Fellow
From Skye
There Was An Old Fellow From Skye
email: contact@antonywootten.co.uk
Website: https://antonywootten.co.uk
Facebook: @awauthor
LinkedIn: @antonywootten
Mobile: 07719 814429
Feedback from Antony’s School Visits:
Enquire about an Author Visit
Feedback from Antony’s School Visits:
email: contact@antonywootten.co.uk
Website: https://antonywootten.co.uk
Facebook: @awauthor
LinkedIn: @antonywootten
Mobile: 07719 814429
A Tiger Too Many
£6 paperback | £2.50 Kindle (Amazon)
Read an extract
Buy signed copies and school sets
Antony Wootten’s debut novel, A Tiger Too
Many, is a dramatic and powerful page-
turner for the 9-12 age range. Set in London
Zoo during World War II, it is a tense tale of
a young girl’s desperate struggle to save her
beloved tiger-cub. Despite the traumas of air-raids and evacuation,
and her older brother going missing in action, Jill never gives up, even
when the zoo itself is bombed and she finds herself amongst the
burning debris...
Open Book Awards Highly Recommended Award winner
LoveReading4Kids.com: “enchanting from the word go.” A Debut of the Month!
The Northeast, Middlesbrough & Teesside Evening Gazette’s December 2011 Book of
the Month!
Newbury Weekly News, 8/12/11: “well written and retains the reader’s interest, so that he or she
cares about what happens to the characters as the story zips along.”
TheBookbag.co.uk: “real edge-of-the-seat-stuff”. “Buy it? Yes.”
Karen Langtree, children’s author, tweeted: “I just finished A Tiger Too Many. A superb book
Compares to a Michael Morpurgo with ease Wonderful characters gripping story” [sic]
(@karenlangtree)
Donna Fawcett, KS2 teacher: “Can I just say an enormous well done for writing such a fantastic
book 'A Tiger too many' you had us on the edge of our seats! Grace read the book at bedtime over
three nights and that is good going for a bit of a reluctant reader! I must tell you that your book then
inspired her to read and read and she has not stopped - so thank you for that!”
Judith Corcoran, KS2 teacher, Chessington: “A Tiger Too Many proved to be an excellent
starting point for the children’s learning about World War 2. From the opening paragraph they were
hooked into the story and their interest in the war was captured. The pace and suspense of the story
maintained their enthusiasm and the constant references to the events of the war and the way in
which it impacted upon everyday life enabled their learning to be extended. The book sparked a
wealth of writing opportunities.”
An Amazon reader review: “This book really gripped my daughter who is 11. She couldn't put it
down and read it in three evenings. We were going to read it together but she couldn't help but finish
the book on her own because she was so excited by the story and loved the characters! She told me
each morning what had happened in what she'd read the night before, with eyes wide open, bursting
to tell me the details. She told me that she feels like Antony Wootten "didn't need pictures in his
books because he creates pictures with words" and she feels very strongly that he should write a
sequel to this book. I felt that it was extremely well written and I would agree with everything my
daughter has said about it. I think this particular combination of subject matter, adventure and
character development is inspired! We are looking forward now to reading all of Antony Wootten's
books!”
A Tiger Too Many
Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends
With Dragons
Brian is always in trouble at school, and his
home life is far from peaceful. So he often
runs away to the cave by the sea where he
has happy memories. But there is something
else in the cave: a creature, lonely and confused. Together they visit
another world where they find wonderful friends, but also deadly
enemies. Brian's life is torn between the two worlds, and he begins to
feel that, in his own world at least, grown-ups can't be friends with
dragons.
TheBookbag.co.uk: “a lovely story, particularly for the older tweens and younger teens,
touching, as it does, on some serious issues - the loss of a parent, teenage pregnancy and the child
who feels isolated. It's all done in a non-preachy fashion and I'd like to thank the publisher for
sending a copy to the Bookbag.”
LoveReading4Kids: “a fast-paced and ultimately heart-warming tale that will appeal to 8+ year
olds, particularly boys and a lovely read for fathers and sons to share.”
Michelle Nicholson, Primary School Teacher, North Yorkshire: "Picked this book up on
Saturday night and couldn't put it down until it was finished. Gripping story. Each chapter left me
wanting more!!! I just had to know how it ended. As a primary school teacher I could relate the
main character's feelings to some of the children I have worked with, and we can all relate to feeling
that the world is against us sometimes. What an excellent read. Can't wait for more! Worth every
penny...and more!"
A letter from a parent:
Dear Antony,
My daughter and I recently finished reading your book ‘Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends With Dragons’
and I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how much we enjoyed the story. We found it
completely absorbing and very moving. We would look forward to bedtime reading to see what
drama would unfold in the next chapter. As a teacher of drama I really appreciated each character
and how they interacted with one another and the final chapter lefts us feeling like we had lived the
adventure with Brian! Thank you for giving us a wonderful experience.
We look forward to reading more of your work.
Best regards,
Jason Anders
An Amazon reader review: “This book works brilliantly on so many levels. My daughter had
intuitively described the dragon as the main character's counsellor and now I've read it, I can see
what she meant. This is the story of a boy becoming a young man and realising that life is indeed
about helping others. There are the two sides to the main character's life, the real, very emotionally
difficult side and the imaginary/ fantasy side which helps him reconcile himself to his alcoholic
father. The dragon helps heal the boy and Antony Wooten never sherks away from addressing
difficult themes. The book is exciting, moving and thought provoking about the meaning of life and
about why people are as they are. It's compassionate in it's portrayal of the characters and paints
wonderful pictures in the mind.”
Grown-ups Can’t Be Friends With Dragons
The Grubby Feather Gang is a short book for KS2
readers. At just 100 pages, it also makes a great
choice for teachers looking for a guided reading or
class reading book which can be completed in half
a term.
It is 1916, and George’s father refuses to go and fight in the trenches of World
War 1. He is branded a coward, and George does not know what to think.
Worse still, the school bully hangs George upside-down from the hayloft, and
the next day, George gets the cane! So, with a bit of help from Emma, a curious
newcomer to the village, he decides to take daring and drastic revenge on both
the bully and his teacher. But he could never have predicted what happens
next…
The Grubby Feather Gang is the story of four friends helping each other cope
with their parents’ problems.
Literary Titan award winner and 5 star review: click here
(the late) Jonny Zucker - children’s author: “A well plotted novel about
children living through tough times. A very entertaining read.”
Karen Langtree - children’s author: “Just finished reading this. Another
great book Antony. Love your characters. Love the issues you chose to explore.
Love how it flows. Will there be another?”
Achuka: “If subsequent titles are as good as this, ACHUKA will be happy to
help promote them.” Read Achuka’s review - click here!
TheBookbag.co.uk: “The Grubby Feather Gang is a book to read and
discuss - and the characters will stay with you for a long time after you've
turned the final page.” Read thebookbag.co.uk’s full review - click here!
The School Librarian: “There is much to think about in this strong
narrative. In just one hundred pages of crisp prose and sharp observations we
are invited to consider war and pacifism, cowardice and bravery, family
tensions, conscription, bullying and friendship. That may sound rather heavy,
but this story is warm, uplifting, and ultimately positive.” Read the full review
(WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!) - Click here!
Red City Review: “Antony Wootten does a nice job of getting the reader to
see that each character, including the children’s abrasive teacher, behave in
certain ways that one simply cannot understand without digging deeper into
the person’s circumstances. A nice read to start a conversation on oftentimes
hushed topics, The Grubby Feather Gang is a great book to read together with
one’s older elementary to middle and high school age children.”
The Grubby Feather Gang
Literary Titan Review
Rating: 5/5
The story follows George, a boy caught in the middle of a village torn up by
war and judgment. He deals with bullying, fear, and the shame that others
try to pin on his family because his father refuses to fight. As he meets Emma
and Stan, the three of them slip into this oddly sweet little friendship that
grows out of chaos. They stumble into adventures, trouble, and eventually
form the Grubby Feather Gang, a tiny group held together by loyalty and a
grubby feather that somehow becomes a symbol of hope instead of
cowardice.
Reading it felt like sitting beside these kids as their lives spun between fear
and laughter. I found myself rooting for George right away. His thoughts felt
real in this quiet, aching way. Sometimes I wanted to shake him, other times
I just wanted to hug the kid. The writing surprised me. It has this softness
running through all the messy bits. Even the sad scenes didn’t feel heavy for
long because there was always some little spark of warmth or humor waiting
around the corner. And Emma cracked me up constantly. She felt like the
friend who shows up loud and strange and instantly makes everything better.
What I liked most were the ideas behind the story. It’s a book about courage
that doesn’t sound preachy. It tackles judgment and fear and the pressure to
fit in. But it does it through the eyes of children who are trying to make sense
of a world that doesn’t make sense at all. Some moments hit harder than I
expected. Other scenes felt gentle and simple in a way that made me smile
without thinking about it. I liked that the book didn’t pretend everything gets
fixed, only that sticking together makes the hard stuff feel less impossible.
I’d recommend this book to kids who enjoy stories with heart and a bit of
grit, and to adults who like children’s books that don’t talk down to anyone.
It’s great for readers who want friendship, trouble, and a little hope woven
into history.
Season of the Mammoth is an adventure story for
KS2 readers. It offers teachers a way in to some
challenging topics such as immigration, racism,
peer pressure and climate change. At just 100
pages, it makes a great class or group reader for
primary schools.
Trouble is brewing in the tribe. The people are divided. Some want to go to
war against the wanderers who travel to their valley every year to hunt
mammoths, but others see that the wanderers are dying out and need help.
Geb and Tannash, the son and daughter of the tribal leader, along with their
strange friend, Scrim, are caught in the middle as the tribe splits apart and
turns on itself. Can they – should they – help defend the wanderers?
Season of the Mammoth is a short book for KS2 readers. At just 100 pages, it
also makes a great choice for teachers looking for a guided reading or class
reading book which can be completed in half a term.
TheBookbag.co.uk: “Season of the Mammoth packs a lot of story and action into its
one hundred pages. […] It's a great, pacy story, full of action and excitement, and plenty
of heroism, but it also leads into wider themes that can be discussed in the context of
modern life. There's the obvious parallel of prejudice and racism - what's wrong with
the wanderers? Is different the same thing as bad? And immigration - should land and
homes be shared with incomers? And climate change too - what happens when the
ecology is shifting and resources are getting scarcer? How do we share equitably?
Season of the Mammoth is a great book for confident readers coming into KS2. The
story itself is engaging, entertaining and exciting and offers a vicarious peek into a long
ago world. But it also provides a platform for constructive discussion about the big
topics of today. One for the classroom or for parents and child to share.
Recommended.”
Amazon reader: “A most unusual subject yet a really compelling read. Once started I
became engrossed in the power battle between the rivals. The characters come alive and
the story builds to an exciting climax. Recommended for adults as well as children!”
A US Amazon reader’s review: “This story is divided into ten parts plus, at the end,
informative author’s notes. The reading is very appealing and captivating. This tale is
aimed at children aged 9-12; it is a simple read that catches any young reader’s
attention. It tells the story of a tribe in which people are divided in two; those who want
to go to war against the wanderers and those who want to help them. Geb, Tannash and
Scrim are caught in the middle of all this not knowing if helping the wanderers or not.
The author used a third person narrator point of view, which is great to describe all the
action of his work. I think this is perfect for children’s books. His writing style is very
good; it is simple and easy to understand.
All in all, this is a perfect read for children. My niece and nephew loved the story. I am
sure I am reading more books from this author. Well deserved 5 stars go to Season of
the Mammoth.”
Season of the Mammoth
Season of the Mammoth
A collection of Antony’s hilarious limericks for all
the family to enjoy. Featuring everything from
King Arthur and his knights to inter-stellar space-
travel, There Was An Old Fellow From Skye is packed with tiny tales which will
tickle the ribs of children and adults alike.
LoveReading4Kids.co.uk: “This is a little pot of gold with lots of clever rhymes
guaranteed to make you laugh.”
Amazon reader: “5.0 out of 5 stars Highly amusing! I read this to my 8 year old - we
did the full book in one night, once we started we couldn't stop. The limericks are cleverly
written and appeal to young and old alike.”
There Was An Old Fellow
From Skye
There Was An Old Fellow From Skye
