NERO THE HERO

 

NERO THE HERO by SAMANTHA MATTOCKS with illustrations by GERDA SMIT. 

Target Age ... Children & MG (ages 8 -12 years)

Genre ... Fantasy

Publication Date ... 25th June 2026

Estimated Page Count ... 88

Standalone First book in the Nero the Hero series

Prepare to meet your new favourite superhero as Nero the Hero reveals his secret! 

Nero is no ordinary dog. This miniature schnauzer has a beard, a bark, and a secret. When danger strikes, he transforms into Nero the Hero, a powerful protector with extraordinary abilities.

Alongside his human, twelve-year-old Jack, Nero dives into fast-paced adventures filled with mystery, heart, and just a touch of fun. But when Jack makes a brave mistake and finds himself in real danger, Nero must face his greatest challenge yet to save his best friend alone.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this highly illustrated chapter book blends action-packed fantasy with an engaging, accessible style, making it ideal for reluctant readers and confident young bookworms alike. With short chapters and dynamic illustrations, Nero the Hero is a thrilling start to a children’s fantasy series about friendship, bravery, and daring rescues.

Fans of Claude and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall will love this action-filled adventure starring a heroic dog and the boy who believes in him.

From the author of the popular Magical Mister Mishkins series, Samantha Mattocks introduces a bold new hero first seen in The Magic of Mister Mishkins. Beautifully illustrated by Gerda Smit, this is a story full of adventure, loyalty, and the power of believing in something extraordinary.

With a cover this adorable and a back cover blurb that talks of an unlikely hero with a best friend in danger Nero The Hero is simply begging to be read ... and, oh my goodness, it does not fail to thrill and delight.

Big on heart and action in equal measure, its short, engaging chapters and lots of fun illustrations guaranteeing that it works for both the more reluctant reader as well as the more confident one ... and I should imagine even the pre-reader who will doubtlessly be captivated by the bold, fun illustrations.

Loving the compelling mix of friendship and daring dos I thought canine Nero and 12 year old human Jack the ideal pairing, Nero the kind of friend my twelve year old self dreamed of. 

A strong start to a planned series,  I can see these books running and running; becoming firm favourites amongst children {as well as their grown-ups} as they come to know and love this very special little dog and his friend.

Samantha Mattocks is best known for her highly illustrated Middle Grade books in The Magical Mister Mishkins series. Her words have transported readers across all her work to another place, one filled with magic, inspiration, dreams, and more.

An award-winning journalist and author, Samantha lives in Norfolk. She owns The Arabian Magazine, a beautiful publication that celebrates the Arabian horse. She was on MasterChef UK in 2019.

Insta ... https://www.instagram.com/samanthamattockswrites/

Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/samanthamattockswrites

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

Share the love by following their blog. Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face. Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too! The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll certainly make their day.