From concept to full-colour chapter book, Kristyna Litten’s Tales of Bearona blooms into a brand-new mystery fiction series, published by Magic Cat Publishing. Welcome to... Ivy and Bearlock Holmes - The Case of the Missing Flower.
Last spring, we introduced you to the whimsical world of Bearona, a beautifully imagined landscape full of curious creatures, mystery and intrigue, blending facts with fiction. From the pen (and pencils) of Kristyna Litten, the concept for The Tales of Bearona was originally born from her interest in architecture, particularly influenced by her family’s Czech heritage. After an inspiring trip to Budapest, Kristyna created a beautifully imagined city map of Bearona. She filled her sketchbooks with characters and landscapes as she continued to build the world and its inhabitants - including the creation of two main characters: the adorable super-sleuths, Ivy and her Grandpa. The story captured the hearts and imaginations of everyone who saw it and, after five years, it found its publishing home.
Now, just over a year later, we’re very excited to introduce you to Ivy and Bearlock Holmes: The Case of the Missing Flower, published by the brilliant team at Magic Cat Publishing. This is the first book in a brand new series, a joyful blend of illustrated storytelling, interactive puzzles, and fascinating nature facts, all brought to life with Kristyna’s signature warmth and detail.
A Blooming Mystery for Curious Young Detectives
In this debut adventure, we meet Ivy and her grandfather, Bearlock Holmes – a delightfully mismatched detective duo on the trail of a very important missing flower, the rare Agave Bearona, which has been stolen from the Botanic Gardens. As readers journey through the story, they’ll gather clues, solve puzzles, meet suspects, and discover hidden secrets woven into the action, allowing them to play detective alongside our super-sleuths.
Blending mystery with science and nature, readers will discover fascinating facts about plants and pollination, the importance of bees, and how honey is made.
Kristyna’s idea was to create something more than just a chapter book for young readers. As she explains:
“As someone who preferred drawing, being outside and climbing trees when I was younger, I would have described myself as a reluctant reader. However, the books I do recall being drawn to were those that required my participation - a mix of adventure, escapism and puzzles. I didn’t want the reader to feel like a bystander in someone else’s adventure… The puzzles in Ivy and Bearlock Holmes are a perfect way of making the reader feel like they too are part of cracking the case.”
That interactivity, paired with her charming character designs and the world of Bearona, makes the book a perfect bridge between storytelling, learning, and play. The story is infused with Kristyna’s love of the natural world with supporting characters like plant expert, Professor Birch and beekeeper, Wilfred Buzzbee, who deliver non-fiction facts as part of the story - but always with a light touch.
The Heart of the Story: Ivy & Bearlock
At the story’s centre is the special bond between Ivy and her grandpa, Bearlock - a relationship rooted in mutual curiosity, quiet understanding and a spirit of shared exploration. Kristyna drew on her own childhood memories with her grandparents to shape these unforgettable characters:
“I had grandparents who I didn’t see much (with no internet and in another country) and who couldn’t speak English… Despite that, I never felt it to be a barrier in our relationship. Because most of our communication was through activities we did together… All these seemed little adventures in themselves and I’m in no doubt that my love of nature and gardening has come from my time spent with them.”
What’s next for Ivy and Bearlock?
The world of Bearona has only just begun to reveal its mysteries… The next adventure in the series is set among the dramatic cliffs of Jurassic Ridge, complete with fossils, rivalries, and some new characters we can’t wait to meet.
Ivy and Bearlock Holmes: The Case of the Missing Flower is published by Magic Cat Publishing on 3rd July. It’s a perfect for budding young detectives, curious nature-lovers and reluctant readers aged 5 to 8, and grown-ups who love a clever picture book! You can see more spreads from this wonderful book over on Kristyna’s portfolio.
Revisit our original feature from last year: Introducing the Tales of Bearona by Kristyna Litten. Take a look at more spreads from this wonderful book on Kristyna's online portfolio.
Let's help make this the award-winning launch Kristyna and the bees deserve by ordering your copy HERE. You can follow Kristyna on Instagram where you might spot Herschel, her pet rabbit who bears a striking resemblance to Detective Hopkins in this book!
