Shackleton is excited about his best friend Amelia coming to stay the night. It’s their first sleepover and with their parents, they walk through the park between their homes to meet.

Both parents are risk averse and over protective as Shackleton’s mum was lost in space due to an asteroid and Amelia’s dad tripped and fell on safari into the mouth of a lion! Amelia’s mum has packed all but the kitchen sink for Amelia to be prepared for anything at Shackleton’s house.

But they don’t make it to either of their homes. After meeting a very cranky lady in the park, it begins to rain. And rain, and rain. They need higher and higher ground and luckily, due to Amelia’s bulging pack for the sleepover, they have just what they need. But their back up plan soon goes wrong when something under the surface bumps into them.

What could it be?

Soon they need another escape plan and Amelia and Shackleton have it sorted in a jiffy – only to land in even bigger danger! Amelia, being a risk taker like her father, takes on the threat – a giant snake!

Suddenly it’s Shackleton’s turn to save the day, but only after he admits why he prefers his velcro shoes. Can he really say it, learn new skills and face up again to the strange, angry lady the met before their world went crazy?

Miles and Jones – The Anaconda Attack is a black and white graphic novel full of laughs, surprises, action and danger.

The first in this new NZ series, I’ll definitely be snapping up the next one to be called The Blizzard of Blobs.

Miles and Jones are the heroes of this adventure even though their parents are along for the ride. Jones’ dad Sam isn’t good in dangerous situations and his comedy of errors adds even more tension to the tale.

This series has been aptly called a cross between Indiana Jones and The Bad Guys – and its spot on.

Author – Sam Smith

Illustrator – Cesar Lador

Age – 6+

(2024, Little Moa Press, Aotearoa New Zealand, Action, Adventure, Friendship, Humour, Family, Animals, Courage, Snake, Anaconda, Nest, Sleepover, Prepared for anything, Risk averse, Over protective, Danger, Series)