Stories · Curiosities · Questionable Ideas · Rather a Lot of Imagination · Farah Sam · Author & Creator ·
CELESTIAL
QUILL
PUBLISHING.
When Granny gave that wink, Max knew he was about to be...
A WORLD EXPLORER EXTRAORDINAIRE.
A marvelous read! ~ Celestial Quill Press
Nine and three-quarters years old (practically ten, if one is being sensible), Max Sparkly prefers his summer holidays to be filled with absolute, blissful predictability—predominantly involving ginger nuts from the Pickleberry Bakery and a scale model of HMS Victory built out of matchsticks. Instead, his meticulous plans are thoroughly bamboozled when his grandly mischievous Granny Maple packs up the family for a sudden, whirlwind expedition across the globe. Alongside his younger sister Tilly, whose exhausting energy and total lack of decorum are a constant trial, and Sir Bark-A-Lot, a pompous little dog entirely convinced he is the Chief Inspector of the British Empire, Max finds himself traded from safe English meadows to the dizzying, sun-drenched sands of Egypt.
The mission? To track down Granny’s seven globe-trotting sisters, starting with Great Aunt Cleo. But instead of an orderly tour, Max faces a series of logistical catastrophes, including a spectacular, undignified tumble off a wiggling camel. From navigating the chaotic Cairo airport to getting hopelessly lost in ancient, echoing tunnels, Max’s diary captures every sandy sneeze and sticky-fingered mishap with dry, child-observed wit. Rich with timeless British charm, this whimsical adventure beautifully balances gentle humour with the warm discovery that no matter how vast or curious the outside world may seem, you are always safe when surrounded by family.
The First
OFFICIAL
EXPEDITION
IN THE
MAX SPARKLY DIARIES:
WORLD EXPLORER EXTRAORDINAIRE
SERIES.
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire: 'Egypt'
What Readers Are Saying...
"I wish I was Max!"
"Witty! A delightful read!"
"I Couldn't put the book down!"
"A MUST read!"
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire is a witty illustrated diary adventure series for readers aged 10–12, following Max Sparkly, a fact-loving young explorer with a notebook, sensible socks, and a strong belief that holidays should come with proper planning. Unfortunately for Max, every family trip seems to involve mysterious clues, ancient places, troublesome luggage, his wildly enthusiastic little sister Tilly, Granny Maple’s suspiciously secretive basket, and Sir Bark-A-Lot, a scruffy dog with an alarming interest in biscuits.
Beginning in the cosy village of Pickleberry Falls and travelling to extraordinary places around the world, each book follows the Sparkly family as they uncover clues connected to Granny Maple’s seven remarkable sisters — the legendary Seven Sparkly Sisters. Packed with maps, history, culture, family chaos, mystery, humour, and Max’s very serious expedition notes, the series celebrates curiosity, courage, discovery, and the wonderful fact that adventures almost never go according to plan.
A Funny Diary Adventure Series for
Curious Young Explorers.
Coming Soon...
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Australia’
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'India’
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Ireland’
Max arrives in Australia ready for adventure, facts, and possibly a sensible amount of wildlife. Unfortunately, Australia has other plans. Between kangaroos, reef discoveries, outback surprises, strange snacks, and Tilly’s excellent ability to make everything more complicated, Max’s diary becomes a record of one sunny, chaotic, very unsensible expedition.
India gives Max far more colour, noise, spice, elephants, rickshaws, and general excitement than his diary can politely contain. As Holi colours fly, clues appear, markets bustle, and Sir Bark-A-Lot causes a small but memorable commotion, Max tries very hard to remain a proper scholar — which is difficult when Tilly is having the time of her life.
In Ireland, Max finds himself surrounded by castles, mossy forests, fairy circles, fiddle music, and far too many mysterious things that may or may not be real. While Tilly is convinced magic is everywhere and Granny Maple refuses to explain properly, Max sets out to investigate with his notebook, his suspicions, and a strong warning that no one should giggle during serious research.
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'France’
Max’s French adventure begins with grand plans for culture, landmarks, and impressive diary notes, but quickly becomes a whirlwind of croissants, cafés, painters, carousels, and deeply confusing manners. With Tilly enchanted by everything, Sir Bark-A-Lot possibly disgracing himself near a pastry, and Granny Maple looking far too elegant, Max attempts to stay dignified in France.
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Kenya’
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'China’
Kenya brings Max face to face with safari animals, sweeping savannahs, market stalls, storytelling fires, and the alarming possibility that his diary is not prepared for this level of adventure. As giraffes loom, clues appear, and Tilly gets excited about absolutely everything, Max tries to behave like an experienced explorer while secretly hoping nothing with large teeth gets too close.
China is full of lanterns, dragons, pandas, bamboo groves, calligraphy, and one extremely long wall that Max feels should come with more warning signs. As the expedition moves through ancient places and lively streets, Max fills his diary with facts, theories, and several notes about why Tilly should not be allowed to make executive decisions near festival decorations.
Step inside the official world of Max Sparkly Diaries, where every map has a mystery, every suitcase contains something suspicious, and every family trip begins with Granny Maple saying, “It’s just a little adventure.” From the cosy village of Pickleberry Falls to faraway places filled with clues, ruins, markets, museums, muddles, and marvellous surprises, this is where readers can meet Max, Tilly, Granny Maple, Sir Bark-A-Lot, and the remarkable Sparkly family behind the expeditions.
Explore Max’s journals, family notes, travel snapshots, secret clues, character files, and the curious trail of Granny Maple’s seven sisters. Whether you are here to inspect the evidence, follow the clues, or simply discover what Sir Bark-A-Lot has been sniffing, the Sparkly world is ready to be opened — preferably with a pencil, a map, and a biscuit nearby.
Welcome To The World Of Max Sparkly.
Even more books coming in the spring of 2027...
Hey there! I'm please to announce these new titles will be available in the spring of 2027. Don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to receive the latest updates on new releases.
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Hawai‘i'
Max expects Hawai‘i to be relaxing. This turns out to be a serious misunderstanding. Between volcanoes, sea turtles, enormous waves, tropical flowers, ukuleles, and Sir Bark-A-Lot behaving as if he has discovered his island destiny, Max’s diary becomes a sun-soaked record of adventure, confusion, and several moments requiring urgent explanation.
8
9
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Brazil'
Brazil bursts into Max’s diary with carnival colour, samba drums, rainforest mystery, football fever, river adventures, and enough excitement to make proper note-taking nearly impossible. Tilly is delighted, Granny Maple is calmly mysterious, and Sir Bark-A-Lot may be joining the rhythm section. Max, meanwhile, is trying to conduct serious research in the middle of complete magnificence.
10
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'Japan'
Japan offers Max cherry blossoms, bullet trains, sushi stalls, temples, bamboo forests, and a level of organisation he greatly respects. Unfortunately, travel with Tilly, Granny Maple, and Sir Bark-A-Lot is never quite as organised as it should be. Between fast trains, quiet gardens, surprising discoveries, and one or two deeply important snack reviews, Max records a journey full of wonder and comic confusion.
12
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire 'United States of America'
Max’s USA diary becomes a giant road-trip of landmarks, parades, canyons, bridges, cowboys, theme parks, and moments far too big to fit neatly on one page. From the Statue of Liberty to Route 66 and the Grand Canyon, Max tries to keep his expedition official, while Tilly, Granny Maple, and Sir Bark-A-Lot make sure it remains anything but ordinary.
11
Max Sparkly Diaries: World Explorer Extraordinaire Italy
Italy is full of gondolas, ancient ruins, pasta, gelato, leaning towers, street performers, and suspiciously delicious distractions. Max is determined to remain focused on the expedition, but this becomes difficult when Tilly is twirling through piazzas, Granny Maple is enjoying herself far too calmly, and Sir Bark-A-Lot appears to have strong opinions about Italian food.
© Farah Sam. All rights reserved. Max Sparkly Diaries, its characters, story world, text, concepts, and artwork are original creative works published by Celestial Quill Publishing. No part may be copied, reproduced, adapted, or used without written permission.
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