Review: The Busiest Beaver

This post contains gifted items.

I have a bit of a soft spot for Beavers, so I was delighted to be invited to take part in the Blog Tour for The Busiest Beaver, the brand new picture book by dream team Lu Fraser and Mate Hindley – which is published today (Thurs 11 September)!

In the spotlight is Nora who, you’ve guessed it is a beaver. But Nora is not like the other beavers. Instead of chomping and gnawing, she prefers drilling and sawing when it comes to cutting down trees and building things. This doesn’t go down well with the other beavers, who show little understanding and berate Nora for not being more like them. Luckily, she has grandad beaver on her side, who advises her that “You must always be…YOU!” Good thing Nora takes his advice to heart, because when the rain pours and the river rises at the beaver lodge, by “being [her] own beaver [her] own beaver way” she ends up saving the day. Of course. How does she do it? Well, you’ll need to read the story to find out!

The story is written in rhyming text, and is really fun to read aloud, with the gentle flow of words – very fitting for a story that features lots of slowing water – interrupted by onomatopoeic words that pop off the page.

Swish! Ping! Zzrrr! Pop! Bubble! Glug!

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too, from the cuteness of the beavers and other wildlife, to the attention to detail on each page spread. I think my favourite is grandad’s shed. And, as working for Maths Week Scotland for my day job, I’m also thrilled to see Nora use her maths skills – measuring, weighing, using her numbers – in her big plan to save the day!

The Busiest Beaver is a sweet story that shows the power of thinking differently, and having the courage to trust your instincts and be true to yourself. A great message to pass on to children. And, also, what a difference it can make to have someone that’s always in your corner (high five, grandad beaver!) A great reminder to parents – and grandparents – to always be your child’s biggest cheerleader!

For added beaver fun, download your free Busiest Beaver activity pack, which includes a word search, puzzles, discussion questions, plus a drawing competition to win copies of The Busiest Beaver and other goodies for your school (closes 7 November 2025).

The Busiest Beaver is available via BookShop.uk (affiliate link) and any independent bookshops. If they don’t have it they can probably order it for you.

Disclosure: We were sent free copies of ‘The Busiest Beaver’, in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own. If you buy any books via the BookShop.uk affiliate links, we will receive a small donation which helps to keep this blog running. Thank you.