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The Wanting Monster

By Martine Murray
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Brief Description
From award-winning author Martine Murray (dubbed Australia’s Kate DiCamillo) and painter Anna Read comes a timeless and timely tale about the monstrousness of envy, and every creature’s—even a monster’s—need for love It starts with a whisper in your ear. A prickly feeling that something isn’t quite... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3499
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"A little monster arrives in a village and whispers in people's ears, sowing discontent until the villagers recognize the monster's influence and come together to rebuild their community"--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From award-winning author Martine Murray (dubbed Australia’s Kate DiCamillo) and painter Anna Read comes a timeless and timely tale about the monstrousness of envy, and every creature’s—even a monster’s—need for love

It starts with a whisper in your ear. A prickly feeling that something isn’t quite right. And it builds until a sneaky, possessive thought wriggles into your mind, and an insidious want burrows into your heart. Before you know it, you’re discontent, convinced that you’re owed more than what you’ve got. This is the work of the Wanting Monster.

One day, the Wanting Monster arrives in a small village, but no one notices him, despite his antics. Feeling snubbed, he starts sowing discontent and envy of one’s neighbor. So infectious is the wanting and greed awakened by the Wanting Monster that even the stars are plucked, one by one, from the sky. Covetousness and distrust reign. Will the village people ever return to their senses? Will they ever learn that it’s the monster of wanting that’s been poisoning their minds? The Wanting Monster almost triumphs . . . Fortunately, he is finally seen for what he is, and this recognition unleashes the purifying force of collective lamentation and a coming together to reroot and rebuild.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781592704194

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 19 June 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Enchanted Lion Books

Illustration: Full-color illustrations throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Anna Luisa Read

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 203.0mm

Height: 292.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 76

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational In Stock Books In stock Children's Books In Stock Kid's Books Martine Murray New Zealand and Australia Published Penguin Books Young Adult

About the Author

Martine Murray is an acclaimed Australian author and illustrator whose work has been translated into more than 20 different languages. Her first novel, The Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley, was selected for the White Ravens list of outstanding international children’s books and was one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing and a Book Sense 76 Children’s Pick. Anna Luisa Read is an Australian artist whose work spans painting, ceramics, music, theater, and garden design. Always deeply committed to and informed by her connection to the natural world, Anna was a co-founder of Studio Su in Castlemaine, a ceramic gallery space. She is also the co-founder of Parachute Press, a small independent publisher. Anna resides in Campbells Creek, a little town on the edge of Castlemaine in central Victoria.

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