Barefoot on the wind
Zoë Marriott
Book summary
A determined girl searches for her missing father in a forest associated with a deadly beast, in a magical Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Explore
Type a book, author, topic, idea or reading experience.
Find a Book
Scan the ISBN, scan the front cover, or type what you know.
Combine filters when useful. Values show what a book addresses, not what it endorses.
Clear filtersRequests, popularity, awards and recommendations—not just age. A list is a starting point, not a suitability verdict.
Popular themes
Type to search the full theme index.
Fresh mix gives you a varied selection that stays steady while you browse, so returning from a guide does not reshuffle the page.
Zoë Marriott
A determined girl searches for her missing father in a forest associated with a deadly beast, in a magical Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Kari Jones
This is a compact, straightforward adventure about caring for wildlife when family work and personal convictions pull in different directions. Mystery and pursuit keep the story moving, while Maya’s choices centre responsibility, trust and competing needs.
Recommendations
Choose a route in, then open only the collection you want. 1 collections · 1 books.
Subjects, worlds and interests to browse into.
A curated collection of children’s books about setbacks, recovery, perseverance, courage and growth. Compare how each book handles difficulty before choosing what fits your child, timing and family values.
1 bookAlastair Humphreys
Tim Green
This is a school-and-sport story about a deaf boy seeking belonging and recognition. Its central interest is how Landon responds to exclusion and whether friendship and determination change his place within the team.
Rachel Roberts
This is a fantasy quest about trying to rescue a bonded magical animal after he is drawn into another world. Expect danger, magical encounters and mystery, with friendship and loyalty at the centre.
Robert Lawrence Stine
This is a supernatural mystery about investigating rumours, with suspense arising from a mountain setting, an eccentric family’s mansion and the possibility that the reported half-human Beast is real.
Robert Westall
This is a suspenseful animal mystery centred on Sammy’s determination to respond to the threat to his family’s sheep. Its strongest appeal is likely the steadily escalating question of what is killing or taking the animals.
G. A. Henty
This is a historical adventure following Ronald through arrests, escapes, travel, military service and political upheaval connected with Prince Charlie, Fontenoy and Culloden. Its emphasis is on movement, danger and varied incident.
Raquel M. Barthe
A caring grandmother confronts a strong storm while trying to protect animals and her grandchildren. The story’s appeal appears to lie in determined action, family care and a challenge presented through weather.
Alastair Humphreys
This is an ocean adventure about attempting something others doubt, preparing carefully, coping with difficult conditions and discovering capability. It also brings ocean wildlife and pollution into the story through Lucy’s classmates.
Aisling Fowler
This is a fast-moving fantasy adventure centred on a fierce, guarded heroine. Expect a dangerous rescue journey, strange creatures, corrupted magic and evolving friendships, alongside a serious exploration of loss, guilt and anger.
A.M. Howell
This is a historical mystery about a child navigating wartime separation, an unwelcoming household and unanswered questions. Gardens, hothouses and a Suffolk estate provide a vivid setting for secrets, suspicion and friendship.
Sophie Anderson
A folklore-rich quest about a girl protecting her home and family. Its imaginative setting, magical companions and nature imagery sit alongside questions about self-belief, inherited responsibility and whether the past can be repaired.
Kathryn Purdie
A good fit for readers drawn to eerie fairy-tale retellings, magical quests, mysteries and determined protagonists. Its central journey carries genuine danger, while its romantic thread and unresolved ending may shape the reading experience.
Jessica Jung
A celebrity-centred sequel about ambition and loyalty, offering backstage drama, fashion-business aspirations and relationship tension while questioning the costs of perfection and public success.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
A historical adventure rooted in the early-20th-century Philippines, following Amihan and Mariposa as they respond to official policy and try to return to Culion. Its emotional centre is family love and friendship.
Charlie Higson
Expect a mystery-adventure centred on a schoolboy Bond, with friendship, rivalry and investigation leading from Eton to Scotland. Its appeal lies in suspense, courage and a darker, occasionally grotesque atmosphere.
Philip Pullman
This is a brisk, fantastical adventure about determination, danger and becoming a firework-maker. Lila’s journey combines perilous tests, a family predicament and a spectacular public performance, with illustrations contributing to the imagined world.
Jenny Pearson
Expect a humorous adventure shaped by Benji’s determination to help his uncle, alongside more tender material about his parents and the possibility of family change.
Skye McKenna
A spirited magical adventure about a girl pursuing family answers, learning witchcraft and building friendships in Hedgely. Expect a picturesque but spooky setting, folklore-inspired creatures, exciting escapes and a heroine whose courage develops unevenly.
Grace Lin
Choose this for a fantasy adventure rooted in family love, storytelling and legend. Its quest structure offers momentum, while stories within the story invite attention to how tales shape courage and understanding.
Jim Kjelgaard
A wilderness adventure about a boy and a dog whose friendship is built through loyalty, determination and mutual help. It may appeal to readers who enjoy animal companions and stories of resilience.
This is an ocean adventure about attempting something others doubt, preparing carefully, coping with difficult conditions and discovering capability. It also brings ocean wildlife and pollution into the story through Lucy’s classmates.