The Secret of the Mushroom Men is now here!

I’m so excited to finally share my first chapter book with you, and even more excited to say that it has already been receiving some wonderful reviews and sales.

Thank you so much to everyone who has bought the book, read it, shared it, or taken the time to leave a review. Every single one means an enormous amount to me. ❤️

Welcome to Chuckle Wood Forest

The story begins with Rose celebrating her birthday with a family picnic in her favourite place — Chuckle Wood Forest.

Rose loves exploring the forest. She notices everything: the squirrels darting through the trees, birds singing overhead, deer hiding among the bushes, wildflowers, moss and all the tiny creatures that make the woodland their home.

Her big brother Ethan joins her for the picnic, and what should be an ordinary family day soon becomes something neither of them could ever have imagined.

Deep in the forest, they discover something strange…

Something glowing.

A mysterious acorn leads Rose and Ethan into a hidden world of magic, where they meet Elmdon, a tree fairy, and discover that the forest has its very own secret guardians.

The Men Under Shade.

And, of course, they aren’t ordinary mushroom men. Each one has their own personality and a very special ability.

I wanted to create a story that combined the things I have always loved — nature, forests, fairy tales, imagination and adventure — and turn those ingredients into a magical world that children could explore alongside Rose and Ethan.

Why mushrooms?

The idea for the story came from something very simple.

I love walking through the woods and looking at mushrooms. There is something fascinating about them. They can look like tiny umbrellas, little soldiers, strange creatures or even miniature houses.

One day I started wondering…

What if the mushrooms weren’t just growing in the forest?

What if they were watching over it?

And from that little thought, the idea of the Men Under Shade was born.

A story about more than magic

Although the book is filled with magical creatures, glowing acorns and talking mushrooms, there are some very real themes at the heart of the story.

Rose and Ethan discover the importance of teamwork, courage, kindness, friendship and looking after the natural world around us.

And, as one of the lovely readers pointed out, the story is also about that special connection between siblings.

What readers are saying

I have been absolutely delighted by the response so far.

Readers have described the story as magical, whimsical, imaginative and heart-warming, with particular love for the Mushroom Men and their individual personalities.

The illustrations have also been getting some lovely comments, which makes me especially happy because I wanted the pictures to help bring the forest and its characters to life.

One reader said their daughter “couldn’t put it down,” while another described it as a “beautiful whimsical take” on Rose and Ethan’s love of nature.

Perhaps my favourite thing is hearing that children are already asking for Book 2!

And yes… there will be more adventures in Chuckle Wood Forest.

A little glimpse inside

Here’s where Rose’s adventure begins:

It was a bright, sunny morning, and Rose was already waiting at the front door, bouncing with excitement.

“Come on, everyone. Let’s go!” she called, her explorer backpack dangling from one hand.

Rose has no idea that this birthday picnic is about to change everything.

She certainly doesn’t expect to discover a glowing acorn.

She doesn’t expect to meet a fairy.

And she definitely doesn’t expect to discover that the mushrooms she’s been admiring in the forest might be much more than they seem…

Thank you ❤️

Writing The Secret of the Mushroom Men has been such a special experience, and seeing people discover Rose, Ethan and the Men Under Shade has made all the hard work worthwhile.

So, if you know a child who loves magic, nature, forests, fairies, mushrooms and adventure, I hope you’ll introduce them to Chuckle Wood Forest.

And the next time you are walking through the woods and notice a suspicious-looking group of mushrooms…

Take a closer look.

You never know who might be watching.

🍄✨

The Secret of the Mushroom Men is available now.

Thank you for supporting my little magical world. I can’t wait to see where Rose and Ethan’s adventures take us next!