100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

πŸ†Don't forget Father's Day this Sunday! Auckland Bookstore open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun πŸŽ‰

The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales from the Wind in the Willows

By M.G. Leonard
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.54 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 28 ratings, 11 reviews)
Brief Description
Follow the thrilling animal adventures of young otter Portly – including all your favourite characters such as Mole, Ratty and Toad, from the countryside classic, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. The perfect Spring gift! 🦦 "A magical tale of one mischievous otter bursting... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3499
Backorder
STOCK ARRIVING MID SEPTEMBER Order now to secure your copy from our next shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

Follow the thrilling animal adventures of young otter Portly – including all your favourite characters such as Mole, Ratty and Toad, from the countryside classic, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. The perfect Spring gift! 🦦

the official and beautifully colour-illustrated The Wind in the Willows spin-off novel, new for 2026!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Follow the thrilling animal adventures of young otter Portly – including all your favourite characters such as Mole, Ratty and Toad, from the countryside classic, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. The perfect Spring gift! 🦦

"A magical tale of one mischievous otter bursting with charm, wit and wonder" β€” Hannah Gold

From bestselling author of Adventures on Trains, M.G. Leonard, and beautifully illustrated in full colour by award-winning illustrator of The Hug, Polly Dunbar, this gorgeous hardback gift book is inspired by and celebrates the 95th anniversary of E.H. Shepard’s iconic artwork for The Wind in the Willows.

There is a time in a young otter’s life when they must be introduced to their river. For Portly, today was that day …

Told across four seasons in one year, little Portly has the greatest of adventures. Among other fur-raising encounters, the youngest of Mrs Otter’s pups learns to swim, battles a large trout, rescues a human girl, outwits the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood, and sleeps in the care of the god Pan – a scene familiar to readers of the original book.

Full of all the charm, nostalgia and sounds of splashing in the river that fans of The Wind in the Willows have fallen in love with over the years, M.G. Leonard’s faithful spin-off will enchant an entirely new generation.

The perfect Easter gift for both new readers and existing fans – young and old!

🦦

β€œThis magical retelling bubbles with wonder, joy and love.” β€” Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

β€œA glorious future classic” β€” Alexander Armstrong, author of Evenfall

"Marvellous tales, full of sparkle and charm” β€” Sophie Anderson, author of The Girl Who Speaks Bear

"One of the loveliest books I've read in a long time.” β€” Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars

"A story that ripples with the gentleness of childhood wonder and friendship.” β€” Leah Lane, @mymulberryhouse

🦦

Pre-order now!

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008667771

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 March 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Farshore

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 146.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 540g

Pages: 224

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Classic Fiction M.G. Leonard Young Adult

About the Author

M. G. Leonard is the bestselling writer of children's books Beetle Boy, the Adventures on Trains series, The Twitchers series and her newest time-travelling mystery series, Time Keys. Her work had been translated into over forty languages and her books have won many awards, including Sainsbury's Children's Book of the Year, British Book Awards Book of the year, and the Branford Boase Award. Her books have been nominated for the Carnegie Medal, shortlisted for an Edgar by the Mystery Writers of America and longlisted for the Wainwright Prize. Maya lives by the sea with her husband and two sons, a dog called Nell and a tank of exotic beetles. Maya is one of the founding authors of #Authors4Oceans, with Lauren St John, campaigning to reduce single-use plastics.

Also by M.G. Leonard

View all
  • Hunt for the Golden Scarab
    Blockbusting adventure meets the mystery of time travel in the first title of this epic new series by M. G. Leonard, bestselling, award-winning author of Adventures on Trains, Beetle Boy, Twitch, and The Ice Children. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Manuel Sumberac. Sim and his mum never live anywhere long. When dangerous strangers appear one night, Sim finds...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Twitch
    WINNER OF THE SAINSBURYS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS 2021 WINNER OF THE CRIMEFEST AWARD FOR BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN 2021 "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale" Observer "Simply genius." BBC Wildlife From the internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series comes the first book in The Twitchers, a thrilling mystery adventure series celebrating friendship, bravery, and the...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Clutch
    There's a thief in Aves Wood! M.G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Twitch, Beetleboy and Adventures on Trains, returns with the third gripping wildlife mystery for the birdwatching detectives, The Twitchers! Twitch won the Sainsburys' Children's Book Award for Fiction 2021 and the CRIMEFEST Award for Best Crime Novel for Children 2021. Described as "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale" by the...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Feather
    The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the internationally acclaimed author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains, wildlife queen M.G. Leonard. On a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum, Ava finds herself at the centre of a...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Spark
    M.G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Twitch, Beetleboy and Adventures on Trains, is back with the second thrilling wildlife mystery for birdwatching detectives The Twitchers! >> Shortlisted for the CRIMEFEST Award for Best Crime Novel for Children 2022>> Longlisted for the 2023 James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children's Writing on Nature and Conservation>> "A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere." Rob...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Legend of Viking Thunder
    'A complete triumph of imagination . . . readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series.' - A. F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar The action adventure of Indiana Jones meets the time travel of Doctor Who in the second title of this epic series by bestselling award-winner M. G. Leonard. Perfect for fans of Adventures on...
    By M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Battle of the Beetles
    Darkus and his friends continue their unforgettable adventure in this final instalment of the Beetle trilogy. Arch-villainess Lucretia Cutter has a secret Biome hidden in the Amazon rainforest: can Darkus and his friends, human and beetle alike, find it before it’s too late? If they can’t stop Lucretia, she will release her hoard of giant Frankenstein beetles, and the planet...
    By M.G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Beetle Boy: The Beetle Collector's Handbook
    In the Beetle Boy series, Darkus Cuttle and his friends learn everything they needed to know about beetles from a book: The Beetle Collector's Handbook, passed down from Darkus's father. Now Beetle Boy fans can learn in the same way! Narrated by a fictional, highly eccentric and very entertaining entomologist and lavishly illustrated, this will be a covetable full-colour hardback...
    By M.G. Leonard
    Hardback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Arctic Railway Assassin
    A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story - David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief, the first journey in the Adventures on Trains series. The bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series embarks on a thrilling sixth adventure as Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat climb aboard the night train to Narvik, travelling to the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights...
    By Sam Sedgman and M. G. Leonard
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Danger at Dead Man's Pass
    Danger at Dead Man's Pass
    Embark on a thrilling fourth adventure in the bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series - Danger at Dead Man's Pass, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, as Harrison Beck investigates an ancient family curse high in the German mountains. Illustrated in black-and-white throughout by Elisa Paganelli. A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to...
    By M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Kidnap on the California Comet
    Kidnap on the California Comet
    Board the California Comet and help Harrison Beck to solve another heart-stopping mystery in the second Adventures on Trains story, Kidnap on the California Comet, from bestselling authors M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. After the excitement of his adventures aboard the Highland Falcon Thief, Harrison Beck can't wait for the opportunity to go on another amazing train journey. So when...
    By M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Murder on the Safari Star
    Murder on the Safari Star
    Join Hal and Uncle Nat as they plunge straight into an exciting mysteryβ€”this time while on Safari! All-aboard for the third amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series, Murder on the Safari Star, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli. Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are on the journey of a lifetime...
    By M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    Pre-order
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. β€œ[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    By Matt Stanton
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
    Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Royalslinger
    K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise forΒ Dreamslinger: β€œA mind-blowingly original fantasy adventureβ€”Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan,Β New York TimesΒ #1...
    By Graci Kim
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all