Publication Date: 12 March 2026

The Blurb

After millennia, mammoths have returned, brought back by scientists to help combat climate change.

Ash Grimes, born and raised at the Arctic research centre responsible, dreams of becoming a Mammoth Rider, just like her dad. But mammoths are wild animals and it isn’t easy to earn their trust.

So when Ash meets a white mammoth calf, the first of its kind, she’s determined to do anything to protect her new friend. With a trophy hunter threatening the safety of the herd, Ash, along with best friends Ruby and Jack, must race across the tundra to save their families, the rare calf, and the very future of the mammoths.

The Review

A story that feels as vast and breathtaking as the Arctic tundra itself, this must-read book balances high-stakes peril with a truly mammoth heart.

At its core, this is an adrenaline-fueled, action-packed story. From the moment the rare white mammoth is revealed, the tension never lets up. Ash, Ruby, and Jack are brilliant protagonists; brave, resourceful, and deeply loyal. Their race across the frozen landscape to outsmart a ruthless enemy kept me on the edge of my seat, and the bond Ash forms with the calf is simply beautiful.

I loved the way a strong environmental message was woven throughout the narrative. It’s a timely exploration of how science and nature might work together to heal our planet, prompting young readers to think about our responsibility to the species we share the Earth with. It manages to be thought-provoking without ever losing its sense of wonder.

I also loved the info at the end about the science in the story and mammoths. It is so important for children to see where fiction meets fact, and the inclusion of links for further research is a fantastic touch for any budding scientists or palaeontologists.

I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy so I can enjoy Johanna Tarkela’s stunning illustrations alongside the story.

Great for fans of:

• The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
• Melt by Ele Fountain
• Below Zero by Dan Smith

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for a gloriously packaged early proof copy!

The Off The Page Challenge

This challenge mirrors the science meets fiction element that S. J. Poyton uses so well in Mammoth Rider.

I’d like you to create a new eco-beast that, just like the mammoths in the story, will help reverse a climate issue we currently face.

• Pick a Habitat: this could be The Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon Rainforest, or even your local park.
• Pick a Power: How does your creature help? Does it eat plastic? Does it plant seeds with its tail? Does it cool down the water?
• Pick your Creature: Is it a hybrid of two animals? Does it have special fur or scales to survive its environment? Is it a creature that had been brought back from extinction?

Set your 10 minute timer and get creative!