Tilly’s Top-Secret Trapdoor

2016 National Indie Excellence Awards® FINALISTMost days, ten-year-old Tilly is crabby. Friendless and convinced the world is against her, she takes every chance she can to hide under her bed (her favorite place in the whole world) where she can make up stories and pretend she is popular. One night, after finishing her dreaded homework and her dreaded chores, she crawls under her bed, ready to relax and create another story, when she feels something underneath her. She squirms around to see what it is and finds an old trapdoor, right there under her bed! It had never been there before, but there it was, quietly humming. Slowly, she slides it open and light pours into her room. Peering down, she sees a mystical place that seems to whisper to her. Tilly! Come down!Both afraid and excited, she crawls down, leaving her bedroom, her home, and her family, ready to begin a journey in a strange and colorful world filled with sweets, magic, and fun! As she wanders through the forest, she meets new friends, and together, they explore this mysterious, wonderful world, where they want to stay forever. Yet, when the cold darkness of night creeps in, things start to change and they quickly learn that this world is not as awesome as they had first thought. Wet, cold, and afraid, they decide it’s time to go home. To do that, they must face dangers and obstacles unlike any they have experienced. Friendship, courage, and willpower are tested, as these friends fight to get back to the place they once thought was so awful-home.