A funny, quirky, brand-new story based on E.A. Wyke-Smith's classic, the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, featuring wonderful illustrations from Melissa Castrillón.

At the Sunny Bay Home for Superfluous and Accidentally Parentless Children, Pip and Flora were never good at following the rules. When Flora is kidnapped, they find themselves in the Marvelous Land of Snergs, a magical place of cinnamon bears and scrumptious feasts, vegan ogres and disgraced jesters, and a villain dressed entirely in purple.

Their main ally is the forgetful but lovable snerg, Gorbo, who promises to lead them home. That is, if they can get past the wicked Widow Meldrum and her dastardly schemes.

A must-read fantasy adventure full of humor and charm, this whimsical delight will enchant Tolkien enthusiasts both young and old.

"I should like to record my own love and my children's love of E. A. Wyke-Smith's Marvelous Land of Snergs ... and of Gorbo, jewel of a companion in an escapade."--J.R.R. Tolkien

Cossanteli, Veronica

Veronica Cossanteli is an elementary school teacher who lives with three cats, two snakes, one guinea pig, and a large assortment of lizards. Her debut book, The Extincts, was Longlisted for the Lancashire School Library Service Fantastic Book Award. The Marvelous Land of Snergs is her third book.

Castrillón, Melissa

Melissa Castrillón is an English and Colombian illustrator based in the south east of England. Motivated by punchy color combos, inventive compositions, ingenious page design and unusual patterns, she was awarded the Gold medal by the Society of Illustrators in New York in 2019.