Adventures in Fosterland 4 – Snowpea the Puppy Queen

Snowpea the Puppy Queen by Hannah Shaw is a warm, funny animal story for 5 year olds about a very tidy kitten whose peaceful life gets turned upside down.

What happens

Snowpea likes things spotless. She dusts the windowsill with her tail. She waters her plants by dipping a paw and shaking it over the leaves.

She lives in Fosterland, which is where rescued animals stay until a forever family comes along. Snowpea was born on the street, so she has strong feelings about dirt.

She has a plan, too. She's practising to be a queen. There's a cat castle to sit on top of, a glittery wand for a sceptre and a kingdom of exactly one.

Then the human brings in a big cushiony bed, and Snowpea assumes it's another present for her. There are two sleeping puppies in it.

She decides they can help with the garden. Maybe a tea party. Then they wake up and one of them yells "PUPPY-NADO!"

It's very easy to be on Snowpea's side. She's bossy and slightly ridiculous and absolutely certain she's right. Your reader will spot the flaw in her plan long before she does, which is a lovely feeling when you're five.

There's a running battle with the robot hoover as well, which Snowpea calls the Evil Robot Monster. That one isn't entirely a joke to her. It once swallowed her sparkle-mouse, the first toy she'd ever owned, and she has not forgiven it.

That's the nice surprise in this book. Under all the silliness is a kitten who had nothing at all once, and who is quietly frightened of losing things again. A wise old cat called Haroun tries to tell her she doesn't have to be perfect. She isn't ready to hear it yet!

Worth knowing before you hand it over

Snowpea's memories of the street are right there at the start. Cold, dirt, traffic, nobody stopping. Nothing terrible happens to her on the page, and it's backstory rather than a sad turn later on. Most children will just be pleased she's safe now, and pleased with how much fuss she gets.

Is your child the one who tidies, sorts and tells everyone else how it should all be done? They'll recognise Snowpea straight away.

What to read next

There's more Fosterland in the library. Baby Badger has the opposite problem to Snowpea. He's perfectly happy in his cosy room with his toy animals, and he's not at all sure about the new kittens moving in.