Martin Brown writes as cleverly as he draws. Nell and the Cave Bear is a charming story, full of adventures, humour, and friendship. We loved it!

The illustrator of the Horrible Histories series has turned his hand to writing too – and with the bonus of lovely pictures – in this heart-warming large-font tale about a little girl and her pet cave bear who go on an incredible adventure down the mountain. Nell’s runaway mission is in order to save her bear from being given away by her tribe, and in the journey that ensues the friends overcome trials and danger in order to stay together.

This will be fun for Horrible Histories fans, and those who enjoy humour with fanciful history.

Martin Brown is best-known for illustrating the Horrible Histories series, but Nell and the Cave Bear is his first fiction story. Following the adventures of Nell and her pet bear, the book’s gentle humour will tickle any reader. With its core message of friendship and bravery, it is also a charming and comforting read.

Nell is bold, brave and caring and she makes a wonderful heroine in this delightful historical, and also humorous, adventure. Perfect for independent readers and also a lovely read aloud.

Martin Brown’s Nell and The Cave Bear is an altogether lighter, brighter affair. Set in prehistoric times, it follows a girl from a cave-dwelling clan and her pet bear club who go off to explore a stream while the rest of the tribe are busy hunting mammoths. Adventure ensues, as their journey takes them into the clutches of a rival clan and onwards to the sea. Brown is best known as the illustrator of the Horrible Histories series and in this, his debut novel, his writing shows a clarity and good natured-ness to match his cartooning.

Martin writes as beautifully as he draws. It is refreshing to read a book for this age group in which a real child is at the centre of a totally relatable but exciting adventure. I know that readers will be swept along with the story, whether they are reading it for themselves or having the story read to them. And as for Nell and Cave Bear themselves, well… I’m in love.

Nell has no parents so the tribe take care of her in the cave below the mountain. She sometimes misses having a family of her own but since she found Cave Bear when he was a tiny abandoned cub, he has been her best friend and is all the family she needs.

But when she overhears some of the elders discussing a plan to give Cave Bear as a gift to another tribe, Nell is horrified and decides they must run away. As they embark on their exciting adventure to follow the stream until it leads them to safety, Nell has no idea what dangers and thrills lie in store.

Nell’s exciting story is fast-paced but simply told, without unnecessary details or distractions.

Mounting threat is present in the form of a band of wild hunters stalking Cave Bear for his skin, while comic relief is provided by a group from Nell’s own tribe, who are attempting to hunt a herd of woolly mammoths without much success.

Illustrated throughout in shades of blue, the pictures add character and gentle humour to a story which is ideal for newly independent readers.

Martin Brown
From truly horrible histories to a truly heartwarming adventure… renowned illustrator Martin Brown delights with his adorable young fiction debut.
Best known as illustrator of the outstandingly successful Horrible Histories series, in which he teamed up with author Terry Deary, Brown proves to be just as adept as writing, with this tale of an orphan girl and her pet bear in search of a new home.
A long, long time ago, a girl lived with her tribe in a cave. As she had no parents of her own, her pet cave bear was her best friend. He followed her everywhere and comforted her whenever she grew weary of all the chores she was given.
So when Nell overhears some of the grown-ups planning to give Cave Bear to another tribe, she decides they must run away. So together they embark on a great adventure, following the stream from their cave down the mountain to wherever it will lead them.
Together they encounter huge mammoths and wild hunters, face hunger and thirst, and all the time hoping to find somewhere safe to be together.
Nell and the Cave Bear has all the right ingredients for early readers… an exciting, easy-to-follow adventure full of new friendships, fun escapades, gentle humour, diverse animal and human characters, and all beautifully brought to life by Brown’s exquisite two-tone artwork.
A moving tale of togetherness with a message for the modern world…

Nell and the Cave Bear by Martin Brown is an illustrated chapter book for ages 7+, telling the story of a cave girl and her pet bear who run away together when they are threatened with separation.