Amulet of Joy

When a little girl named Marigold Amelia Plum is called to the magical land of Chaireina by its Creator, the ever-loving and benevolent Magnus Opa, she is astounded by its enchanting beauty and the welcoming kindness of its fantastical creatures. And though it feels very much like a place where nothing bad could ever happen, she soon learns that this is not the case. As lovely as it is, Chaireina has long been under threat. Sly Sigmund the Soothsayer wants nothing more than to destroy all the good works of Magnus Opa and drain every ounce of joy from the land.

Marigold soon discovers that she is one of Magnus Opa's very rare and very special "Chosen Ones," with a heart capable of withstanding even the worst of Sigmund's tricks and manipulations . . . and that her help is very much needed. Sigmund has tricked young King Azarel into surrendering the Apricus Amulet, which contains and protects all the unquenchable joy of Chaireina, as long as it is worn close to the pure heart of Magnus Opa's anointed king or queen.

And so, joined by an assortment of truly marvellous new friends, Marigold must set out on an incredible Quest of Grit and Grace in the hopes of returning the amulet to its rightful owner to save an entire world from losing its joy forever.

A chapter book for older children (ages 6 to 12), The Amulet of Joy is a wonderfully entertaining story of self-acceptance, the triumph of good over evil, and the importance of having faith and courage in the face of adversity.