This is a tender and charming story of found family told through the voice of woodland animals. Beyond the story the author presents solutions to fear of danger, reliance on others, and resilience in the face of hardship. The setting is adorable, like being dropped into a dollhouse and introduced to a world that rings true. ( )

Featured in a blog post at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2020/07/20/chapter-books-whats-good/ (July 20th release)

An adventure filled beginning to what is going to be an adorable series for readers of all ages. Between the characters, multiple story lines, and illustrations, it had everything going for it and then some. It's enough to make one long for a room at the Heartwood Hotel to call one's own... and I'm pretty sure we'd be most welcome. ( )

This is a delightful story for late primary readers who are ready for more difficult chapter books. It's the story of Mona, a mouse, and an animal hotel in the woods. Mona accidentally finds the hotel when her house is flooded and she ends up getting washed down a river. She stumbles upon a large tree and when she rubs her hand over the heart carved in the trunk, the hidden door opens. Heartwood Hotel, hidden in a tree, provides refuge for lost woodland creatures, safety as well as participation in several conventions and festivals, all within its cozy branches. Being homeless, she is offered a warm place to stay in exchange for work. Children will be amused by the delightful world within this Hotel, as well as the many life lessons that Mona learns and teaches others along the way. The various animals at the hotel are all varied and have different talents and interests. The owner, a badger named Mr. Heartwood, is kind and generous to a fault. The guests all have different needs that must be taken care of. It is a wonderful cast of characters. There is some adventure, problem solving as well as a little danger. This would make a nice read aloud in a primary class where there is a chapter read each day with some good discussions to follow. I really like the ideas about friendship, class structure as well as facing your fears and helping your friends. There is also lessons about loss, self-confidence and to some degree bullying. It is not in your face, but the ideas are all there. A good addition to a school or class library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Mona the mouse has lived on her own since her parents were swept away in a storm. While looking for a new place in the forest to live, she comes across the Heartwood Hotel, an animal hotel concealed in a tree. Proprietor and badger Mr. Heartwood allows Mona to stay for the busy fall season and work as a maid. This is not welcome news to Tilly the squirrel who bosses Mona around and acts condescending to her. Mona more than proves her worth to the Hotel staff when she comes up with a plan to scare away the wolves skulking around nearby. Mona is a gentle hero sure to be cheered on by young readers in this first volume of the Heartwood Hotel series. ( )