• Age: 7 to 10
• Grade: 2 to 5

“Charming and imaginative, and full of endearing characters who excel at kindness as only animals can. With stories that highlight the power of friendship, Heartwood Hotel is sure to leave readers eager to visit again.” —Ashley Spires, author and illustrator of The Most Magnificent Thing

“If there’s one thing Vancouver author Kallie George knows, it’s how to create a tale full of whimsy.” —Quill & Quire

Downton Abbey meets The Tale of Peter Rabbit in this heartwarming chapter book about a mouse discovering where she belongs.

When Mona the mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes the staff will let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest, where animals come from far and wide for safety, luxury and comfort. But it’s not all acorn soufflé and soft, moss-lined beds. Danger lurks nearby, and as it approaches, Mona has to use all her wits to protect the place she’s come to love. Because this hotel is more than a warm shelter for the night. It might also be a home.

This delightfully enticing story of friendship, courage and community, sweetly illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, kicks off a new chapter-book series by the author of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency books.

KALLIE GEORGE works as an author and editor in Vancouver, and she holds a master's in children's literature from the University of British Columbia. In addition to writing and editing, Kallie is a speaker and leads workshops for aspiring writers. She finds all eggs enchanting, even ordinary ones.

WEB: www.kalliegeorge.com

ALEXANDRA BOIGER grew up in Munich, Germany, where she studied graphic design, and then began a career in feature animation, allowing her to work for Warner Bros. UK and DreamWorks. Since transitioning to children's book illustration, she has worked on numerous popular titles, including the Tallulah series. She lives with her husband and daughter in northern California.

WEB: www.alexandraboiger.com

Kallie George's profile page

Born during a blizzard on Groundhog Day in Chicago, Illinois, Stephanie Graegin spent her childhood drawing and collecting fauna in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Houston, Texas. She received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. She later attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, obtaining an MFA in printmaking. Stephanie now lives in Brooklyn, is still drawing, and has managed to keep her collection down to one orange cat. Find out more at www.graegin.com.

Stephanie Graegin's profile page

• Silver Birch Express Award Finalist
• BC Book Prizes - Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize
• Chocolate Lily Book Award - Chapter Book
• Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award - Shining Willow Award

“Charming and imaginative, and full of endearing characters who excel at kindness as only animals can. With stories that highlights the power of friendship, the Heartwood Hotel is sure to leave readers eager to visit again.” — Ashley Spires, author and illustrator of The Most Magnificent Thing

“The Heartwood Hotel is a truly charming tail—I mean tale—as warm and sweet as an acorn soufflé, with just a dash of danger and mystery. Mona is a tiny mouse with a big heroic heart who readers will root for!” — Cyndi Marko, author and illustrator of the Kung Pow Chicken series

“If there’s one thing Vancouver author Kallie George knows, it’s how to create a tale full of whimsy.” — Quill & Quire