The Story
Hoofer’s Story
When curious little Hoofer the hamster spins on his wheel too fast, he accidentally pops open his cage and finds himself on an unforgettable journey way beyond the garden gate.
Join Hoofer’s big adventure as he meets friendly woodland animals, scampers through brambles, splashes in ponds and discovers the joys of nature.
A heartwarming rhyming tale about friendship, bravery, and the wonder of the great outdoors.
Perfect for little explorers aged 3–8 who love animals and nature.
Meet some of the woodland friends
Every character has a part to play.
Hoofer Hamster
A curious little hamster who loves to explore and make new friends.
Froopy the Frog
A playful frog who hops, splashes and turns every puddle into an adventure.
Gonk the Goose
A loyal goose who keeps a watchful eye over the lake and everyone who visits it.
Brute the Badger
A wise and gentle badger who is always ready to lend a helping paw.
Hidden surprises
Look closely at every page. There are little details to find each time you read. Can you find the hidden easter eggs?
New words to learn
Easy and more complex words sit side by side, so older children can read and learn while younger ones listen.
How the book was made
Every page is hand drawn and finished digitally.
Draw the characters
Hoofer and his woodland friends take shape on paper.
Write the book
The story is written with kindness, courage and new words to learn.
Plan the storyboard
Each page is planned out as a story board.
Scan and edit
The artwork is scanned and polished digitally.
Amend the story
Words and pictures are reworked over and over.
Print and ship
The finished hardbacks are printed and shipped.
Hoofer’s Values
What every little reader takes away from the adventure.
Adventure
Hoofer explores the woodland, meeting new friends along the way.
Courage
A gentle tale about finding courage when the path feels unfamiliar.
Kindness and curiosity
Kindness and curiosity turn every forest encounter into an adventure.
About the author
Jake Longshaw wrote this book for his daughter. In a world where so many children are glued to iPads, he wanted to encourage her to look up, take in the world around her, and want to get outside and explore.
What began as a way to spark her curiosity has become an invitation to every child (and the grown-ups reading with them) to step outdoors and go on an adventure.
Animals and scenes come from real outings, with hints about how animals behave and what to watch out for, like nettles.