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THE WRATH OF THE WOOLINGTON WYRM

Freda Chiu Karen Foxlee

Miss Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she's not scared of monsters. Travelling the globe with her famous archaeologist mother, Mary-Kate helps solve legendary problems in this fun fantasy adventure series.
'There are those that hunt monsters to harm them and there are those that hunt monsters to help them. Which one are you?' Something unusual is happening in Woolington. Strange noises and earth tremors have the locals frightened. Dressed in glittering red shoes and carrying her sparkly gel pens and strawberry-scented notebook, Miss Mary-Kate Martin accompanies her archaeologist mother to the village of Woolington, home of the legendary Woolington Wyrm, where builders have discovered some interesting bones. Could there be any truth in the old stories about the ancient well? With her creative coping mechanisms and the help of local girl Arabella Woolington and her stubborn pony Pickles, Mary-Kate is determined to get to the bottom of this mythic mystery. Each story in this delightful new fantasy-adventure series takes place in an exotic location, features a fabulous mythological creature, and includes strong contemporary themes for kids to relate to, such as anxiety and environmental issues. Karen Foxlee writes for both kids and young adults. Her first novel The Anatomy of Wings won numerous awards including the Dobbie Award and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book. Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy, Karen's first novel for children, was published internationally to much acclaim while her second novel for younger readers, A Most Magical Girl, won the Readings Children's Fiction Prize in 2017 and was CBCA shortlisted the same year. Her next book was the internationally successful, Lenny's Book of Everything, which has won multiple awards including the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the Indies Book Award, the Queensland Literary Award, was a CBCA Honour Book and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Dragon Skin was published in October 2021 and is currently short-listed for the Children's Book of the Year, Indie Book Awards. Karen lives in Queensland. Freda Chiu is an author and illustrator from Sydney. As well as illustrating children's books, her work spans comics, editorial and retail graphics. Outside her art practice, Freda lectures in Illustration at the University of Technology Sydney. Her books include A Trip to the Hospital.
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Published 2022-06-01 by Allen & Unwin

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SHORTLISTED: Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers, 2022 LONGLISTED: Best Designed Children's Series, Australian Book Design Awards, 2023 SHORTLISTED: Best Children's Fiction, Aurealis Awards, 2023

UK + C (excluding ANZ and Canada): Pushkin Children's Books : French: Michel Lafon and Michel Lafon Poche ; Russian: Goodwin for print; MTS Library for ebook and audio

An intriguing, suspenseful, action-packed and deliciously thrilling mystery, full of Karen Foxlee's trademark heart, wisdom, wit and ingenuity. A gently reassuring and inspiring story about the value of courage, knowledge and kindness. It reminds us that we all have the capacity for bravery, despite our worm holes, worries and monster-shaped fears. Ultimately, we see that truth is at the heart of every monster hunter's search. And that sometimes all we need to do is start - by putting one red sparkly foot in front of another. Perfect for young fans of The Ghouls of Howlfair by Nick Tomlinson and Jonathan Auxier's The Fabled Stables.

[a] magical story which was full of suspense and adventure. Karen Foxlee is a master storyteller and... cleverly draws a heroine who, though full of doubt and anxiety courageously rises to a huge challenge. The plot is fast paced and will keep young readers engaged...

A heartwarming fantasy with a gutsy heroine. Highly recommended.

One of [Foxlee's] strengths is creating believable and relatable characters and this book is full of them. Mary-Kate is delightful... Thank goodness there will be a sequel...

The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm is easily one of the most charming books for young readers I have come across. It has a perfect balance of fun, fantasy, humour and innocence. I think it takes real talent to create something that is exciting/dramatic with a fantasy element without getting too dark. I'm big on keeping things innocent for our kids, while giving them plenty to challenge their imagination and literacy skills. This really hits the sweet spot! Not surprising, really, because Karen Foxlee is a genius.