Out Now from Fog Field Press!
Mulrox and the Malcognitos is a children’s fantasy adventure novel about ogre poets, bad ideas, and embracing your imperfections.
About the book
A bad idea is nothing to worry about… Until it knocks on your door
Mulrox the ogre harbors a secret desire to become the world’s greatest poet. Unfortunately, all of his ideas are rotten.
But when his terrible ideas come to life, Mulrox soon finds himself on a quest to protect the very ideas he loathes—the malcognitos as they call themselves. Accompanied by his sassy pet toad, quirky neighbor, and a hoard of mischievous bad ideas, Mulrox must travel to the malcognitos’ realm, uncover the mystery of the beast hunting them, and return home in time to deliver the best poem of his life.
Fans of L. Frank Baum, Bruce Coville, and Roald Dahl will delight in this middle grade fantasy novel about embracing your imperfections. If you like prophetic rodents, spellbinding sneezes, and ferocious sheep you’ll love this book.
Join Mulrox and his friends for a wild ride full of antics, strange new creatures, and lots of bad poetry.
What People are Saying
A Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review
“An original and witty adventure that celebrates the imagination… Her wonderfully expressive, inventive vocabulary resembles that in Norman Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth(1961), with an ogre flavor all its own.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A fun read for all ages that’s funny, charming, and an all-around delight” – Liz Konkel for Readers’ Favorite
“Smith’s vibrant comic prose distinguishes Mulrox and the Malcognitos. Her sentences and dialogue bounce along, telling the story with sharp clarity and seemingly boundless imagination” – The BookLife Prize
“An absolute joy of a read. This was highest level worldbuilding and MG voice… I haven’t read such a lush world in MG for a long time! ” – Sarah Allen, author of What Stars Are Made Of
“A fantastical tale with depth, adventure, and humor… This book is quirky and unique and full of warmth in all the right ways.” – Ben Gartner, author of The Eye of Ra
“MULROX AND THE MALCOGNITOS is a delight to read. This novel handles so many things so well–rich world-building managed in beautiful prose, complicated relationships full of generosity, a taut and engaging, always surprising plot. At its heart is Mulrox, whose own heart could not be bigger, matched only by his curiosity as he journeys deep into a wilderness that becomes eerily familiar. Did I mention how funny it is? It’s hilarious, full of energy. I could listen to these characters talk all day long.” – Peter Rock, author of The Night Swimmers, Klickitat, My Abandonment, and others
“A richly imagined fantasy that will leave you rooting for the underdogs and an army of bad ideas.” – S.O. Thomas, author of The Slug Queen Chronicles
“In Mulrox and the Malcognitos, Kerelyn Smith has built an utterly irresistible world – one that includes ogres, a pet toad who would give any cat a run for its money, magic sheep, a talent show with epic stakes and bad ideas come to life. With humor, compassion and a plot that keeps the pages turning, Mulrox and the Malcognitos shows us that fear of failure is a fear worth facing. It’s required reading for anyone who’s ever had an idea, good or bad.” – Debbie Graber, author of Kevin Kramer Starts on Monday
“Kerelyn Smith has created a world that I immediately felt at home in and yet still surprised me. Mulrox’s personal artistic ambition and perfectionism were traits I identified with strongly and think many readers will too. Mulrox and the Malcognitos has earned a permanent place on my shelves beside my favourite titles.” – Paul Coccia, author of Cub
Activities, Questions, & Downloads
- Read an excerpt of Mulrox and the Malcognitos
- Download the Mulrox and the Malcognitos One Sheet to see all the book details
- Get the discussion questions, glossary, and take the Character Quiz here: Activities & Discussion Questions
Media
Audio
Listen to the first chapter of the Mulrox and the Malcognitos Audio Book: First Chapter of the Mulrox and the Malcognitos Audio Book
Podcasts
Interviews
- See the Official Cover Reveal and Author Interview from MG Book Village:MG Book Village Cover Reveal
- Read the Interview with Rodenia and Kerelyn Smith by English Scribbles
- Read the: Interview with Kate J. Foster on Mulrox and the Creative Process
Videos
- Watch my FlipGrid video introducing Mulrox and the Malcognitos
- Watch the Virtual Launch Party of Mulrox and the Malcognitos, My Life as a Potato, and The Derby Daredevils hosted by Middle Grade At Heart. (Skip ahead to the reading for my very classy squirrelmonk voice)
- Watch the Review by Mary R. Lanni
Watch the Book Trailer
Watch the Unboxing Video!
Opened the proofs of Mulrox and the Malcognitos and got to see the finished books for the first time!
The actual unboxing was a lot of me trying to rip open a box with my bare hands and figuring out where the camera was. Also the anxiety on my face was too real! Not the cathartic outpouring it could have been, but good news always makes me nervous!
If you haven’t yet, sign up for the Readers Group to be the first to get all the Mulrox news: Sign Me Up!
Stay tuned for more information!
See Other Books By Kerelyn Smith
Illustrations by Matt Rockefeller
I can’t wait. Can I preorderr now?
Of course!!