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Philomella and the Impossible Forest

By Doris Brett
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Philomella and the Impossible Forest whisks readers into a magical world where a touching tale of bravery and friendship unfolds. When Philomella stumbles into the Impossible Forest, a realm where anything can happen, she encounters a belligerent princess, confronts trolls, and braves a bewitching river. Alongside quirky companions like a talking picnic basket and a boy descended from trees, she must outwit a mysterious enemy threatening both the forest and herself. This sparkling fantasy adventure blends humour, mystery, and magic as Philomella discovers the power of compassion and clever thinking to save her newfound world – and herself.

An utterly enchanting novel for readers aged 9 and up.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for middle-grade readers aged 9 and above who enjoy imaginative fantasy adventures with heart, gentle humour, and meaningful themes. Fans of The World Between Blinks and The Phantom Tollbooth will find this story particularly engaging.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A were-dragon? A talking tree? Saving a world she didn’t know existed? ... Philomella’s having an unusual day.

Mystery, humour and sparkling magic combine in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure novel – perfect for fans of The World Between Blinks and The Phantom Tollbooth.

When Philomella is drawn into the Impossible Forest – a place where anything can happen and usually does – she’s headed for all the adventure she never wanted. There’s a belligerent princess to rescue, trolls to battle and a treacherously bewitching river to cross … and that’s just for starters. They’re all part of a mysterious enemy’s grand plan to destroy both the Forest and Philomella – and in this world of strange and dangerous magic, she’ll have to beat her deadly opponent using only her brains.

And so, joined by some oddball companions (including a picnic basket with attitude, a boy whose ancestors were trees and a grandmother with weaponised kitchenware), Philomella sets out to do the impossible.

Can Philomella save the Forest?
And can she also learn how to save herself?

An utterly enchanting novel for readers aged 9 and up.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise Philomella as a relatable and empathetic hero whose kindness and creativity shine through danger, making her a timely and inspiring figure. Reviewers highlight the book's fast-paced, captivating adventure, diverse and richly drawn characters, and underlying themes of empathy, compassion, bravery, and facing fears. Fans of classic children's fantasies will appreciate its echoes of The Magic Faraway Tree, combined with a fresh, emotional depth informed by the author's background in psychology.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761211690

Publisher: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 April 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing

Illustration: N-A

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 238g

Pages: 336

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Doris Brett New Zealand and Australia Published Young Adult

About the Author

Doris Brett is a writer and clinical psychologist. She lives in Melbourne and is so altruistic that she keeps her house permanently messy in order that visiting friends may immediately feel relaxed and virtuous as they compare their homes to hers.
Her books have ranged across a number of genres – poetry, fiction, psychology, memoir – and her poetry has won a number of the country’s major literary awards. Her books on helping children deal with challenges through therapeutic storytelling (Annie Stories and More Annie Stories) have been widely acclaimed and published worldwide. Philomella and The Impossible Forest is her first full-length fantasy novel for children. 

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