Elastic Island Adventures: Kingdom of Blong by Karen McMillan

RRP $19.99

The latest adventure in this popular series, an action-adventure set in the South Pacific, in early development for the screen.

Kingdom of Blong is the fifth in the Elastic Island Adventures children’s book series for children aged 8 – 12. Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma and Ethan, discover an ‘elastic’ island that sends them pinging across the ocean to a variety of destinations.

When they arrive at the Kingdom of Blong, they discover that Blong the Cat is the island’s missing king. Blong is greeted with a great deal of fanfare, but it looks like fame might be the ruin of him. Will Blong’s relationship with Emma continue? And why do the bilbies, led by Baxter the Bilby, decide it is a good idea to live on a dangerous island ruled by cats? Will they end up on the dinner menu, or will they survive?

The series has been optioned by Fuzzy Duckling Media who are in the initial stages of developing them into feature films. The theme song for the show has been recorded, written by Murray Grindlay and featuring singer Janayah. A film script adapting one of the books has been written in conjunction with a UK scriptwriter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen McMillan is the author of 18 diverse books, from bestselling novels, The Paris of the East, The Paris of the West and Brushstrokes of Memory, to non-fiction books that inspire and help others: Everyday Strength and Unbreakable Spirit, and now the Elastic Island Adventures series for children. Karen wrote Elastic Island Adventures purely as a fun family project to enjoy with her husband’s granddaughter, Milla. Little did she know how successful the books would be, and she is now working on book number six with input from Milla and has more ideas for this ongoing series. Fun fact: Karen’s cat Blong features in the series!

PRAISE FOR THE ELASTIC ISLAND ADVENTURE SERIES:

One of the NZ Herald best children’s book reads for 2020!
‘A fast-paced, original story aimed at readers eight to 12.’ North & South Magazine ‘It’s an action-packed and fast-paced read. Jewel Lagoon will inspire the next generation of Kiwi writers, while also appealing to those readers who start to lose momentum around that age, the so called ‘reluctant’ reader. It’s a fast paced, exciting, and original story that keeps you entertained from the beginning to the very end.’ NZ Booklovers

‘The story is wildly creative and populated with an array of vibrant characters, including adaptations of animals many children will recognise. The four main characters: Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma, and Ethan, have distinct personalities and varying skill sets which help them navigate through the challenges they face on their adventure. Children will identify with particular characters as they find common denominators with their own lives.’ Flaxflower

‘From Karen McMillan comes Port Mugaloo, the second in her Elastic Island Adventure series aimed at kids aged 8-12. Her stories about four children going off on holiday on their own and having adventures are reminiscent of the Famous Five but these are more fantastical and told with a quirky sense of humour.’ Grownups.co.nz
Just a little of the feedback from children:
‘My favourite character is Emma, because she is a lot like me. She is also very nice and dreamy, and she likes school, which is good and different from most other characters from books I’ve read in the past!’ Maisie

‘Kiri is my favourite because she loves singing as much as I do and she just has a great personality like me! we kind of look the same too (by the way your books are soooo good written Karen)’ Hannah

‘I like Emma because just like me she likes to read. I also like Ethan because he is funny and likes to build knew things and thinks outside the box! In elastic island I honestly enjoy everything Karen McMillan!’ Emily

‘We love the characters Ethan and Jed best because they go on such great adventures. They are daring characters and Ethan can become invisible which is something we would love to be able to do, except not by falling down a cliff and landing in a pond.’ Olliver and Austin

‘My favourite character is Blong because he is a special cat and does BLONG-A- GRAMS and I like reading them. I have read all the books so far and I really love them.’ Abigail