• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

What if you could create your own country on land nobody else wanted? Who would you let in and who would you keep out? Homeless people? Stray animals? People of different views and religions? Would you take money from big companies? Would you give money to needy causes? What kind of ruler would you be? And the day they came to take it away from you, would you let it go without a fight?

Meet Billy, Sami and Charlie. Witness how they create their own kingdom and unfold their global vision in the heart of their city.

The Kingdom of No Worries is the story of three young friends who create their own kingdom on a piece of land that emerges in the middle of the river that runs through their city. Inspired by their actions to create a democracy that is a model of social tolerance and global thinking, the surrounding community turns out in the thousands to participate in what becomes a radical cultural hub of the city. Over the course of one hot summer the boys grapple to learn what a democracy is and to oversee its demands. Alas, their nascent sovereignty is challenged first by a civic order of eviction, then by valid First Nations land claims, and ultimately by nature itself. Can the utopian dream be saved?

The Kingdom of No Worries is an empowering tale that speaks to the archetypal dream that all children have to create their own world.

Philip Roy continues to travel back and forth between Nova Scotia and Ontario, keeping residence in both places. For some half-dozen years now, he has been presenting orally a series of stories at local schools, fairs, and markets called “Happy the Pocket Mouse.” The first of the series, Mouse Tales, illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara, will be released by Ronsdale Press in spring 2014. This series of picture books complements Philip’s “Submarine Outlaw” series for young adults, which is now up to volume six. Recently he travelled to Australia to research the materials for the next book in the series, Eco Warrior, to appear in the fall of 2014. Travelling makes for great adventure, Philip contends. The only thing better is writing about it and visiting schools and libraries to share the stories with young readers. Visit Philip Roy’s website at www.philiproy.ca

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“This modern Utopia offers food for thought not just for children, but for adults as well, who could well benefit from applying some of the attitudes and values of the main characters … A parable for our times.” — Kirkus Reviews