The Wilderness

From a thrilling new illustration talent, comes an absorbing and intricately illustrated book that celebrates the great outdoors and all the learning opportunities (and maybe a leafy monster or two...) in nature for children.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration and the UKLA Book Award, and winner of the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2023 honour award for illustration.

Praise for The Wilderness:
- “A true triumph; deserves pride of place on every bookshelf.” – Just Imagine

- “A story filled with optimism, family love, heart-warming happiness, a magical read taking us on an unexpected adventure, presenting a challenge. Beautiful.” – Armadillo Magazine

- “There is so much detail in this wonderful book that something new will be picked up with each read.” – Books of 2022, Irish Examiner

- “Everything about this book roars “epic!” […] The attention to detail is astonishing. It’s very much a book that lends itself to being read again and again, following a different path, and character, each time.” – Children’s Books Ireland

The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the thrill of exploring the outside world. All that is ... except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book.

But, one day, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called "The Wilderness"! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit ... lost. But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend...