Paperback. 209 pages/ 52 chapters. Illustrated by Abigail Hicks. Publication date: September 2026. Janey Mac Books. ISBN: 978-0-9957027-8-3 RRP: €11.99/ £9.99

“Skateboards, school bullies, family mayhem, talking mice and a dangerous run-away journey; when Maia starts drawing, the most incredible things can happen!

“An amazing adventure full of friendship, heart, hope and magic.”

– Mary Esther Judy, FallenStar Stories.

From the author of the Wulfie series and creator of the ground-breaking animation series, Punky, comes a new action-packed adventure for 7-10-year-olds, illustrated throughout by Abigail Hicks. A rollercoaster ride full of surprises, it deals with themes of identity, adoption, friendship and bullying, and what it means to have the power of a magic gift.

Early responses from readers – parents and children:

We gobbled this book up in two sittings! Mischievous Magical Maia Malone is a wild, exciting and moving adventure from a top class writer. You have to read this book!

Mischievous Magical Maia Malone is an amazing book and I really enjoyed reading it.

Such a magical, funny, sympathetic and generally wonderful story. Maia is fantastic! Great pace, exceptional characterisation, the flow of the story is seamless. I LOVE IT!!!

What it’s about

When nine-year-old Maia describes her drawing, they come to life with comic and chaotic results – but could losing the family she loves be the price she has to pay?

A rollercoaster ride full of surpriseswith themes of identity, adoption, bullying, and the scary responsibility of having a powerful magical gift.

The story

Broomsticks, alligators, gargoyles, and a lighthouse stretching up to touch the sky.  When nine-year-old Maia describes her drawings, they come to life. Resentful of the chaos it causes, older sister Neeta snaps and tells Maia she’s adopted.

Maia’s world crumbles. Thinking her family would be better without her, she sets off on a daring and dangerous quest armed only with her pencils, her notebook and a faded photo of a woman she resembles.

GUIDE FOR LIBRARIANS & TEACHERS

Want to know how this book ties into the curricula across a range of subjects from writing and literacy to history and SPHE (Ire) /PHSE(UK) Click here to download.

Available from International Education Services, Gardners, bookstores and online, with signed copies available here.

MEDIA KIT

Click here for access to a media kit – author and illustrator bios, headshots, author filmography, images from the book for use in publications.

Review copies/ interview requests: Email Maria at janeymacbooks@gmail.com

“A fizzing tale about friendship and what family truly means!”

– Dee Barragry, author of The Moon Seeker