King Coo: The Secret in the Woods
Adam Stower
David Fickling Books

Ben Pole is a a timid boy whose major worry is not the chaos-causing sink holes that have suddenly started appearing. Rather, a victim of horrible bullies, Ben’s primary concern is to get to the end of term unharmed by Monty Grabbe, son of the unprincipled mayor, and his motley gang. As he flees from them, Ben falls into one of the sink-holes and lands up in an unknown forest.

Enter King Coo, a diminutive but formidable character wielding a spear and with an exceedingly long beard. To Ben’s remark, “I’ve never seen a boy with a beard before,” comes the affronted response, “ How DARE you! I am a GIRL with a beard!” It turns out that Coo’s only company is Herbert, a wombat, obsessed with tunnels. Coo rules the forest, swinging through the canopy and living in a tree house.with ropes, slides and all manner of amazing inventions.

Ben and King Coo immediately form a friendship, but before long their kinship is disturbed by the appearance of Monty and his sidekicks. However, King Coo and Ben, are aided by the former’s ingenious devices that prove extremely useful when an attack is launched.

Who will emerge the victors? What will be the outcome, not only for Monty and gang, but for Monty’s father?

This is a terrific read for younger children mixing together the real and fantastic. Adam’s two main characters, indeed all the characters, make a splendid cast, superbly brought to life through illustrations interspersed throughout the exuberant text, and in its occasional graphic novel format.

Originally published several years ago, it’s great to see this being re-issued by David Fickling Books this month.