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Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos Paperback – March 11, 2022

by Andrew Durkin (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Twelve-year-old Bibi Blundermuss is terrified of trees. Being around them makes her dizzy and sick to her stomach—even comatose. So, when her only to chance to find her missing parents means climbing a magic tree in the forest near her home, she almost doesn’t take it.

When Bibi grits her teeth and scales the trunk, the tree grows—so violently that she and her cat Eek are catapulted into another world. Here, she befriends a herd of elk, on the run from a pack of vicious white lions. And she discovers, to her amazement, that her mother is a witch who has been protecting the elk with a poison flower spell, which keeps the lions away.

Yet the longer Bibi stays in the world of the elk and lions, the less sure she is that her mother is truly on the elks’ side—or even on Bibi’s side. In the end, a dangerous journey into the lions’ lair and a reunion with both parents uncovers a secret that changes Bibi’s life forever. Drawn into an epic snowbound battle against an army of zombie trees, she must face her greatest fear to discover her greatest power.
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  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    238 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  5. Publication date
    March 11, 2022
  6. ISBN-10
    0578972069
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0578972060
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Bibi Blundermuss is scared of trees. She isn't sure why, but she knows her fear started six months ago, when her adventurer parents disappeared. Still, when her beloved cat Eek is chased into the woods by a swarm of bees, mixed-race Bibi decides to face her fear and sets off after her. This rescue mission turns into a bigger adventure than Bibi bargained for, beginning with an unplanned trip through outerspace on a fast-growing Ash tree that deposits her on an unfamiliar planet, in the middle of an eerie dead forest. There she befriends several young elk, who promise to help her reunite with her mother. Bibi's hylophobia is ever-present in the novel, and its debilitating effects of nausea and dizziness will be familiar to many readers who struggle with anxiety. Durkin's imagery brings the mysterious far-away planet and its inhabitants to vivid life, though the pacing of the novel is uneven. Like Bibi, readers are left in the dark about her family's magical roots until the very end of the story, leaving room for a follow-up. VERDICT The representation of a Black female protagonist grappling with her mental health is a welcome addition to the middle grade fantasy field.—Dana West

Review

A magical adventure odyssey for children and young adults alike, Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos lights a spark to your imagination. Author Andrew Durkin weaves an absorbing yarn that takes you on a journey into a world full of talking animals, zombie trees, and powerful witches, leaving you with a sense of wonder and awe. Bibi is a tenacious young girl who, despite facing overwhelming odds, somehow always manages to draw upon her inner strength and prevail. She feels like the kind of role model kids find inspirational. The plot is well-paced, and you never see the reveals coming. I found myself glued to the pages. Recommended to fantasy lovers who love magical adventures.

--Pikasho Deka, Readers' Favorite (5-star review)

Bibi is the very best example of bravery . . . the one who doesn't believe she is brave at all. But readers will see her battle her fears and her body's responses to them, face unknown creatures, find the missing parts of herself, and come into her own as she seeks to survive in this strange, new world across the Cosmos. It is great encouragement to young children who must also learn to battle their own fears [. . .] recommended for those who love adventure, exploring new universes and overcoming obstacles on the path to victory.

—Renee Padmore, Reedsy Discovery (4-star review)

Author Andrew Durkin's tremendous use of language—through generally wonderful vocabulary and specific terms related to wild animals—strengthens my confidence and enthusiasm in recommending this book for middle-graders, parents, and librarians . . . 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 . . . The overall representation of anxiety feels therapeutic: To see their fears on the page and to watch a child do her best to handle everything that comes her way with logic, kindness, and compassion, bravely continuing on to find the ones she loves (precious black cat included!), is wholly inspiring. Bibi Blundermuss is a fantastic read with an authentic, powerful representation of the courage young girls hold inside their hearts.

—Andrea Marks-Joseph, Independent Book Review

Engagingly written, this story incorporates ample simile and metaphor to give mid-level middle grade readers a visual anchor to the portal fantasy world Bibi inhabits. The narrative launches almost immediately into action, providing just enough foundation for readers to understand who Bibi is and why her journey is so compelling. Bibi's palpable anxiety will be familiar to any reader who has experienced similar challenges, and her journey throughout this story will resonate with middle grade readers especially as Bibi begins to trust herself more and more as the plot progresses. 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

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.

—IndieReader

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yellow Bike Press, LLC (March 11, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0578972069
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0578972060
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Durkin

Andrew Durkin

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Andrew Durkin is an author, songwriter, composer, and editor based in Portland, OR. His first book, Decomposition: A Music Manifesto (Pantheon, 2014), was one of Los Angeles Magazine’s “Best Little Music Books” of 2014. For more than ten years, he led the Industrial Jazz Group, a Los Angeles-based big band that released five critically acclaimed recordings, was featured on NPR, and toured the US and Europe. At Inkwater Press, he edited No God Like the Mother by Kesha Ajose Fisher, winner of the 2020 Ken Kesey Award for Fiction sponsored by the Oregon Book Awards. Currently, he is the editor-in-chief at Yellow Bike Press, and author of the Bibi Blundermuss middle-grade fantasy series.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
15 global ratings

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Great read!!
4 out of 5 stars
Great read!!
What a unique & imaginative story! Really enjoyed it. Bibi Blundermuss is terrified of trees. Being around them makes her dizzy & sick to her stomach—even comatose. So, when her only to chance to find her missing parents means climbing a magic tree in the forest near her home, she almost doesn’t take it. When Bibi grits her teeth & scales the trunk, the tree grows—so violently that she & her cat Eek are catapulted into another world. Here, she befriends a herd of elk, on the run from a pack of vicious white lions. And she discovers, to her amazement, that her mother is a witch who has been protecting the elk with a poison flower spell, which keeps the lions away. Yet the longer Bibi stays in the world of the elk & lions, the less sure she is that her mother is truly on the elks’ side—or even on Bibi’s side. In the end, a dangerous journey into the lions’ lair & a reunion with both parents uncovers a secret that changes Bibi’s life forever. Drawn into an epic snowbound battle against an army of zombie trees, she must face her greatest fear to discover her greatest power. Bibi is strong & brave. She is terrified, severely so, of trees. Yet she goes into the Forest anyway to save her parents. The danger, adventure, family secrets, this other world, the lions, elk, & so much more made for such an entertaining read. Also, the severe anxiety Bibi experiences will be relatable to kids who deal with similar. Bibi’s character growth over the course of the book was great, & I loved seeing her find herself, & believe in herself more & more. There’s even a talking MG cat named..Eek! Lol amazing names in here if you couldn’t tell. Corineus has my heart though. I love that little elk. I had a great time, & looking forward to hopefully more in this world in the future. BEAUTIFUL cover by Devin Watson too.💜
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Tiffany ( Tippo ) Roberts
    4.0 out of 5 stars In love!!!!!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2024
    I fully enjoyed this read.... I believe I will recommend to my book club.
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  • llama llama
    5.0 out of 5 stars Grand Imagination
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    There are exactly three books I have read more than twice: Dandelion Wine, The Neverending Story, and Mythago Wood. Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos by Andrew Durkin may end up being the fourth. When I look at why I loved reading those other three books, it is because the author either succeeded in taking me to a new and fantastical world or it was just plain Ray Bradbury. Bibi Blundermuss fits with the former: I love to be transported, as Bibi was, to a truly magical world.

    From the opening scene to the end, there is nothing but action. Bibi's hylophobia--a fear of trees--enhanced the anxiety of our main character and made her journey that much more incredible. When her cat, Eek (Ekatarina) disappears, Bibi must enter a forest that frightens her. What she finds is a swarm of bees, an unusual tree, and the voice of her mother telling her to climb. It was that climb that really endeared me to the story.

    Even with Bibi's anxiety in overdrive, she wants nothing more than to find her parents. The tree takes Bibi and Eek into outer space and deposits them on another planet before disappearing again, leaving them stranded. It is a truly magical way to be transported to a fantastical world, much like Jack's Beanstalk, the wardrobe of Narnia or the book in The Neverending Story.

    There are very few slow moments in this book. Durkin does a fabulous job creating a world that is rich with imagination. I could see and feel much of Bibi's anxiety, and if I were a middle schooler, I would read this again and again. Overall, I highly recommend Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos by Andrew Durkin with its grand imagination and exciting journey. It is a quick read to anyone who relishes that feeling of being a kid again.
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  • Lauren Melissa Smith
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Whimsical and Action Packed Adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022
    This fast-paced story throws you right into the adventure and does not stop until the final page. It is perfect for middle grade fantasy fans who like and/or need a lot of action in the story. There is a lot of delightful strangeness that will appeal to fantasy fans, but might not be the best experience for those trying the genre for the first time.

    The story begins with Bibi waking from a nightmare and finding her cat missing. We learn that Bibi has debilitating hylophobia that began when her parents disappeared 6 months prior. Living in a house in the woods, the idea of going out to find her cat, Eek, makes Bibi anxious. But as a terrible storm rolls in, Bibi has no other choice but to face her fear. Just as she is reunited with Eek, the two find themselves whisked away to a strange forest on another world. The answers to what happened to Bibi’s parents might lie in these woods but will Bibi be brave enough to find them?

    In addition to being action packed, this book is very atmospheric. Durkin does a wonderful job using the environment to set the tone of each scene. Even though Bibi spends most of the book in a forest, each part is given a distinct ‘personality’ that helps make her journey feel more dynamic. In a similar vein, the author does a wonderful job explaining how the hylophobia makes Bibi feel even as she tries to ‘face her fears’ over and over again. It really highlights in a soft way that one cannot simply decide to overcome their phobias, it is a constant and draining struggle.

    Though the plot is about Bibi discovering what happened to her parents, the real focus is Bibi’s journey with her hylophobia. I love the author’s brave choice to have a character with a phobia and to directly show that struggle in a very real and loving way. However, if I were to fault this book for anything, it is that this aspect of Bibi overshadows most other things. Even in the ‘down’ times of the story, there is very little exposition about Bibi and her past. Since the hylophobia began when Bibi’s parents disappeared, she has only been struggling with it for a short period of time. It would have been nice to see Bibi think about how the phobia started to interfere with the other aspects of her life that she valued, perhaps even how it quickly came to define her more than those other things. What was it like to struggle with this while also dealing with the fact that her parents are suddenly gone?

    Currently, it feels like both Bibi’s phobia and her parents’ absence have long been a part of Bibi’s life. The lack of discussion about how Bibi feels about her parents’ disappearance prior to her adventure takes away some of its impact. More importantly, the heavy focus on Bibi’s hylophobia without enough exposition to balance it out makes that fear Bibi’s defining characteristic. Since most young readers have not experienced this type of fear, they might have a harder time empathizing with this character in the absence of other personality/emotional touchpoints.

    Overall, this was a fun, action packed adventure. It has great representation and beautiful prose that is accessible to young readers.

    Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC!
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  • LAS Reviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
    Courage makes all sorts of things possible.

    Bibi was a well-rounded and likeable main character. Her severe anxiety endeared me to her, especially when she was doing her best to face her fears despite how overwhelming they felt. I also enjoyed seeing how she incorporated her Zulu and Icelandic heritage into her everyday life. She loved both of her cultures and found all sorts of creative ways to honor them. Little details like this were what really made her personality come alive to me.

    It would have been nice to see more attention paid to world building. For example, animals can talk in Bibi’s world and phobias don’t work the same way there as they do in our world at all. Both of these things were accepted at face value by all of the characters. I would have found the phobia storyline especially confusing if I were a middle grade reader because of how oddly Bibi’s hylophobia presented itself and how the resolution to that issue was framed. This is something I’m saying as a reader who loves fantasy and can easily suspend my disbelief when magical things happen. There’s nothing wrong with following a different set of rules, but not having clear explanations of why these things happened did prompt me to go with a lower rating than I would have otherwise chosen despite loving everything else about it.

    The pacing fit the tone of the storyline well even though it did not always follow the same patterns. Some scenes worked best if they were savored, and others benefited from a quicker explanation of what was happening in them. It isn’t always easy to write a story that can make all of the adjustments necessary for this sort of pacing, so I commend the author for pulling it off here. He did a great job of preparing this reader to slow down and admire the glittery flowers of a magical forest filled with talking elk and then speed up again as pivotal scenes loomed on the horizon.

    Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos was a wild ride that I’d recommend to anyone who loves adventurous fantasy.

    originally posted at long and short reviews
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