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Karen Foxlee is an Australian author who writes for both kids and young adults. She grew up in the Australia outback mining town Mount Isa and still frequently dreams she is walking barefoot along the dry Leichhardt River. Karen's 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. Her latest novel is Dragon Skin. Karen lives in South East Queensland with her daughter and several animals, including two wicked parrots, who frequently eat parts of her laptop when she isn't looking. Her passions are her daughter, writing, daydreaming, baking, running and swimming in the sea. Freda Chiu is an author and illustrator from Sydney, Australia. 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 debut picture book was A Trip to the Hospital.
'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 footstep in front of another. Perfect for young fans of The Ghouls of Howlfair by Nick Tomlinson and Jonathan Auxier's The Fabled Stables.' Edwina Wyatt, award-winning author of The Secrets of Magnolia Moon '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.' Katrina Nannestad, author of the Travelling Bookshop series 'A new book by Karen Foxlee is cause for celebration since she is always original, never writes the same story twice, is serious about her themes, and writes about young people and their problems with genuine love, sympathy and understanding ... Foxlee had fun writing this. One of her strengths is creating believable and relatable characters and this book is full of them ... another winner for middle grade readers who enjoy a touch of fantasy in their adventure stories. Special mention to Freda Chiu for her map (all worthwhile fantasy/adventures start with a map) and her expressive black and white line illustrations throughout which added that extra sparkle to a story that engages from the beginning and leaves you wanting more.' Magpies 'I loved this magical story which was full of suspense and adventure. Karen Foxlee is a master storyteller and like her former novel, Dragon Skin, 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 with themes such as friendship, environmental concerns (saving a fire-breathing serpent's habitat); courage in overcoming fears and building resilience.' Good Reading
