Meet the characters

The Mermaid

Cheerful and determined. She's quite helpful too.

The Dragon

The fiercest of them all. But certainly not the humblest.

The Knight

Likes to think he's the noblest. If he only knew what being noble truly means.

The Queen

Loves fine things. Needs to discover what matters most.

Meet the creators

Terence Araneta has been dreaming up stories since he was seven. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two children. He tries his very best to get more writing done, but his kids always seem to find ways to pop into his office and type on the keybofdjadshfjhdsfkhehfnvk.

Cassandra Paillé

Terence Araneta

Author

Illustrator

Cassandra Paillé is a French illustrator based in New Zealand. She loves to capture emotions and the beauty of everyday life, while adding a touch of humour and tenderness. She finds joy in creating worlds full of colour, warmth and a playful spirit, making them feel alive and welcoming.

Édouard Manet once said, “Whoever claimed drawing is just about shaping form? The truth is, art should be the writing of life” — a belief that perfectly mirrors her own way of seeing illustration.