Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos

Bibi Blundermuss journeys to a distant planet on a magic tree, hoping to solve the mystery of her parents’ disappearance. On the way, she transforms her greatest fear into her greatest strength and becomes a powerful force for good in the cosmos.

The representation of a Black female protagonist grappling with her mental health is a welcome addition to the middle grade fantasy field.

—Dana West, School Library Journal

Initially frightful and resistant to change, Bibi emerges as a strong and capable young woman because of the events in which she finds herself. Young readers will enjoy getting to know Bibi and her companions through this book and will eagerly await the second installment.

— Mary Lanni, Youth Literacy Outreach Specialist, Douglas County Libraries

As a reader who not only looked like Bibi Blundermuss at her age but processed her fear and anxiety in childhood the same way this brilliant young protagonist does, I’m confident this novel is going to make so many young people feel seen and understood.

—Andrea Marks-Joseph, Independent Book Review

Featuring a diverse cast and some great worldbuilding, Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos is a must-read for children aged 10 to 13, though adults will also appreciate the whimsical world presented by Durkin too . . . with talking animals, a truly inquisitive lead, and some great writing, Durkin’s novel draws favourable comparisons with CS Lewis’s tales in Narnia.

—Tales from Absurdia

Bibi is the very best example of bravery . . . the one who doesn’t believe she is brave at all.

— Renee Padmore, Reedsy Discovery

Andrew Durkin has spun a fantastical journey that is sure to sate the appetites of middle-grade readers, with its fast-paced short chapters, intensely evocative world-building and detailed characterization of otherworldly creatures and environments. Bibi’s phobia serves as a fascinating example of how anxiety and crippling fear can realistically look and feel like – introducing nuances of mental health while demonstrating that one need not be ‘fearless’ to face and overcome their worst nightmares.

—Indie Reader

A wild ride that I’d recommend to anyone who loves adventurous fantasy.

—Long and Short Reviews