Uki and the Outcasts: The fourth in The World of Podkin One-Ear series

"But there will be action, won’t there? And daring deeds and fights and things? ’‘Oh yes, lots of those," says the bard. "Once the story gets going. You have to let it build up first, though. A good story comes to the boil slowly, just like a good vegetable stew."

A thrilling new book set in the Five Realms of Podkin One-Ear, Uki and the Outcasts is the stirring tale of another legendary rabbit hero. But unlike Podkin, Uki wasn’t a Chieftain’s son – he was an outcast from his tribe, due to his strange half-black, half-white fur and mismatched eyes.

Uki’s story begins when, near death as a child, his body is brought back to life by Iffrit, a spirit-guardian. Iffrit then shows Uki how to capture one of four powerful escaped spirits, to boost his own strength. With this new power, Uki is tasked to capture the other three spirits, so that their power cannot be harnessed to evil ends. First, though, Uki must decide whether to take vengeance on the bullies who cast him out of his tribe. With the help of two other outcasts who become his travelling companions, he embarks on a dangerous and thrilling quest.

Kieran Larwood has been passionate about stories and storytelling ever since he first read The Hobbit aged six. He is a full-time writer and ex-teacher and has won the Blue Peter Book Award for The Legend of Podkin One-Ear. He lives on the Isle of Wight with his family, and between work, fatherhood and writing, doesn’t get nearly enough sleep.

David Wyatt is an illustrator living in Devon. He has illustrated many novels and is also much admired for his concept and character work. He has illustrated tales by well-known authors such as Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, and J. R. R. Tolkien.