MISS MARY-KATE MARTIN'S GUIDE TO MONSTERS - THE WRATH OF THE WOOLINGTON WYRM BY KAREN FOXLEE AND ILLUSTRATED BY FREDA CHIU

Miss Mary-Kate martin’s Guide to Monsters – The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm by Karen Foxlee and illustrated by Freda Chiu

Mary-Kate is the daughter of Professor Martin and she is travelling into the English countryside with her mother, who is a famous archaeologist, to investigate the bottom of a well. The village of Woolington has a problem. Lord Woolington, the local landowner, wants to build a huge shopping centre in the village and the residents fear that not only is it a horrible idea, but more importantly, it will disturb the famous Woolington Wyrm. Legend tells of a giant wyrm living down the well for hundreds of years. Many have heard and felt the rumblings of the wyrm and do not want to anger it. Lord Woolington is adamant there is no such thing as the wyrm, and is just about to pour the concrete foundations for the shopping centre.

When Mary-Kate and her mother arrive at Woolington they meet Lord Woolington and Ms Honey, the village librarian, secretary of the Say No to the Shopping Centre Action Group and president of the Wyrm Watch Society. While the professor goes to look at the well, Mary-Kate goes to investigate the wyrm. With the help of Lady Arabella Woolington, Mary-Kate searches for clues and they try to figure out the mystery of the Woolington Wyrm.

Karen Foxlee’s novel is a real treat for younger Middle Grade readers. The black and white illustrations of Freda Chiu give lovely vignettes of the characters and the wyrm itself. I especially love the map of the village at the beginning of the book. There is something exciting about a map and the adventures it holds. Mary-Kate is an engaging main protagonist, and while she is an anxious child, she bravely deals with her fears with various coping mechanisms. She carries her favourite things with her in a sparkly red backpack which matches her sparkly red shoes. Her father disappeared years ago and she treasures the last seven sticks of gum he left behind. Along with her novelty Big Ben torch, lucky stress ball and other important items, Mary-Kate can calm her nerves in times of stress. The themes of dealing with anxiety, coping with change and making friends run consistently through the story, giving a gentle reminder that even though someone may suffer from anxiety, there are ways to work your way through it and live in the world. This is a story for lovers of adventure, mystery and gentle determination.

For Ages: 9 - 11 years

Number of Pages: 272

Published: May 2022 Allen & Unwin

Themes: Anxiety, coping with change and making friends