The Hidden Kingdom (Nocturnals #4)

"The series addresses bullying and empathy in an easy, accessible way, and the books are meant to be read aloud." —New York Post

"Featuring spirited animal characters who deal with real-life scenarios in a relatable way...the books celebrate the very meaningful idea of friendship and what it means to forge positive relationships."—Amy Poehler's Smart Girls

"The fourth installment of this popular series finds our three heroes—Dawn, the wise vixen leader of the Nocturnal Brigade; Tobin, the generally befuddled pangolin (spoiler alert: Tobin's in love!); and Bismark, the sugar glider who achieves ever greater heights of pretentiousness in every outing—trying to solve a dire problem... As in every book, our stalwart trio interacts with unusual forest denizens (lyrebirds, a platypus), discover motivations behind seemingly hostile behaviors, and resolve to become more appreciative of all creatures, especially the insects that comprise the titular Hidden Kingdom. Wacky illustrations and another plot that twists and turns and teeters with cliff-hangers will keep fans enthralled. Check out the website (NocturnalsWorld.com) for extensive activities for kids and support materials for educators." —Booklist

Reviews for The Nocturnals Series

"The Nocturnals is an enchanting story about a group of animals who band together to protect their friends and find adventure. The characters are delightful and the nighttime landscape is captivating. It was just as I expected—because the best stories always take place in the dark!"—R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps

"With numerous sequels already in the pipeline, Tracey Hecht's whimsical animal adventure is poised to deliver a raft of silliness, sweetness, and positive messages for years to come."—Common Sense Media

"A delightful adventure about the power of uncommon traits and the joys of newfound friendship."—Kirkus Reviews

"Tracey Hecht's first novel is an appealing page-turner for middle-school readers, combining a likable cadre of unusual animal characters with fast-paced, clever dialogue and, of course, plenty of suspense."—BookPage