About
Martin Lee
There is something uniquely powerful about children’s stories—the way they spark imagination, encourage emotional growth, and create moments of connection during bedtime reading. Lambley: The Last Lamb, written by UK author and rheumatologist Martin Lee, is one of those rare books that combines warmth, adventure, and gentle humour in a way that delights both children and adults.
Beautifully illustrated and inspired by the landscapes of Northumberland, Lambley: The Last Lamb is a comforting farmyard tale about friendship, courage, and finding your way home. It’s a book that feels timeless, tender, and filled with heart.
The idea for Lambley: The Last Lamb began in the most natural way imaginable—through the simple, meaningful act of reading bedtime stories. As a father who read to his children every night, Martin found himself inspired not only by the books he loved but also by the ones that left him wanting more.
Some stories were wonderful. Others made him think, “I could write something better than this.”
And so, the seed was planted.
Like many authors, Martin experienced the spark of creativity during quiet moments—often late at night, when an idea suddenly appears and insists on being written down. The concept of a little lamb waking up to find himself alone, confused, and on a mission to find his family quickly began to take shape.
What started as a simple idea for his daughter soon evolved into a fully developed story filled with memorable characters, playful language, and emotional depth.
One of the unique features of Lambley: The Last Lamb is its grounding in real-life places. Martin and his family spend a great deal of time exploring Northumberland’s coastline and countryside—wide green fields, stone farm walls, coastal paths, and quaint villages.
These places inspired not only the setting but also the characters themselves.
Every animal in the story carries the name of a local village or hamlet:
This creative touch gives the story a strong sense of place, making it especially meaningful for families who know the North East—but its themes are universal enough to resonate with readers everywhere.
The story follows Lambley, a sleepy, happy little lamb enjoying a bright spring morning. After dozing off in the fresh grass, he wakes to hear the farmer say he is “the last of them.” Confused and a little frightened, Lambley looks around to find that his mum and siblings have disappeared.
Is he truly the last lamb? Or is he simply lost?
With a mix of courage and curiosity, Lambley sets out across the farm to find answers. Along the way, he visits each of his animal friends, asking questions and trying to piece together what happened.
His adventure takes him:
As the story unfolds, children follow Lambley on a gentle journey filled with warmth, friendship, discovery, and the reassurance that help is always nearby if you know where to look.
While Lambley: The Last Lamb is written for children, adults will find plenty to enjoy as well. Martin balances simple, engaging storytelling with clever wordplay that makes reading aloud genuinely fun.
Here’s why the book resonates with families:
The soft, expressive drawings bring the characters and farm scenery to life in a way that feels calming and nostalgic.
Lambley experiences worry, confusion, problem-solving, and relief—all important emotions for young children to understand and navigate.
Every character helps Lambley in their own way, showing children that asking for help is brave and relationships matter.
The writing style is rhythmic, gentle, and enjoyable to read aloud—perfect for bedtime or classroom storytelling.
Readers who fall in love with Lambley will be delighted to know that this is only the beginning. Martin has already written the second book in the Collingwood Farm series, featuring Embleton the Curious Cat—a rescue cat character inspired by his own beloved pets.
A third book is also underway, continuing the charm, community spirit, and storytelling style that make the first book so special.
At its heart, Lambley: The Last Lamb is more than a farm story.
It’s a celebration of:
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers will find it a meaningful addition to any child’s bookshelf. Whether read aloud at bedtime or shared during story time, it offers warmth, reassurance, and a loving reminder that no one is ever truly alone.
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