The Animals of Heartwood Heath
Stories for little ones to enjoy, learn and grow with the forest friends who live on the heath.
Welcome to Heartwood Heath!
Heartwood Heath is a magical little corner of the world where a group of woodland friends live, play, and learn together. Each story follows the adventures of Barney, Hazel, Penny, and their friends as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up — from flying into a rage, to finding a safe home, to embracing sensitivity, creativity, or shyness. Through these fun, gentle tales, children learn that it’s okay to be a little different, and that everyone has their own special way of being.
Set in the enchanting Heartwood Heath — inspired by my home town of Haywards Heath — these stories invite children to explore a friendly, natural world full of curiosity, play, and friendship. Along the way, they discover small lessons about emotions, empathy, and resilience, all wrapped in adventures that spark imagination.
Our books are designed for children aged 3–6 and the parents who read to them. Each story is a chance to put down screens, cuddle up, and develop a lifelong love of reading — just as I experienced as a child. Heartwood Heath is about more than just stories; it’s about creating moments of connection, wonder, and joy between children and the grown-ups who share these tales with them.
We hope you and your little ones enjoy exploring Heartwood Heath as much as we’ve loved creating it.
– Sarah
Barney the Bear has a Big Roar
First book in the Heartwood Heath series, available NOW!.
Buy the book! Amazon.com
More than a bedtime story: interactive reading, emotional learning, and creative activities.
Barney Bear has big feelings he just can’t control — until his forest friends teach him a special song to help him pause the roar. This gentle story helps children aged 3–6 explore emotions in a fun, playful way, with lively illustrations they’ll enjoy again and again.
🌿 Join in as you read — roar like Barney, wiggle your fingers, and move along with the animals.
🖍 Keep the adventure going with colouring pages, puzzles, number practice, and a maze.
🐻 Discover fun facts about real brown bears too!
Barney Bear’s Big Roar is the first in the Animals of Heartwood Heath series — each book following a different forest friend on their journey of feelings, friendship, and fun.
Hazel Hedgehog Needs a New Home
Second book in the Heartwood Heath series, available NOW!
Buy the book!
More than a bedtime story: interactive reading, emotional learning, and creative activities.
Hazel the Hedgehog is facing a big change — she needs a new home! So Hazel bravely embarks on a long journey to find a new home on Heartwood Heath. This gentle story helps children aged 3–6 explore resilience, coping with change, and the value of friendship, all with playful, engaging illustrations.
🌿 Join in as you read — Roll yourself into a little ball and practice saying all the colours of the rainbow along with Hazel and her new friends.
🖍 Keep the adventure going with colouring pages, puzzles, number practice, and a maze.
🦔 Discover fun facts about real hedgehogs too!
Hazel Hedgehog Needs a New Home is the second in the Animals of Heartwood Heath series — each book following a different forest friend on their journey of feelings, friendship, and fun.
