Children’s brand Zuma the Dog has released a new book written by creative author and the brand’s founder, Samantha Bertish. Bertish has published several award-winning picture books, and this new addition is the sequel to her first middle-grade book, Zuma and the Jack Pack.

The books follow adventures with the character Zuma the Dog, whose brand with the same name has also ventured into AR gaming. Furthermore, there is an animated series in development, which will focus on diversity education along with a strong anti-bullying message.

Aimed at 8-12-year-olds, Zuma and the Mysterious Monster sees the story continue, with the character Zuma and his brave pack taking on a monstrous mystery they’re eager to solve. A series of inexplicable deaths of local wildlife at Zuma’s new forest home in Switzerland causes suspicion amongst the animals of the wild world and blame is placed on the pack of newcomers.

After a close encounter with a strange, ancient creature living in the forest, Zuma and his pack are quick to try and prove their innocence and assume the ugly-looking monster is the culprit. Trying to solve the murders and implicate the mysterious monster that roams the forest, Zuma and his pack embrace the arrival of an old friend whose struggles and good intentions may not be as genuine as they thought.

Readers can access a free digital copy of Zuma and the Mysterious Monster here, and can also review the book here. For further information on Zuma the Dog, please click here.