Nero the Hero Blog Tour

Nero the Hero

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.

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Author Bio – 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.

Social Media Links – 

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

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

Welcome to my post celebrating my latest book, Nero the Hero! This is my third highly illustrated younger Middle Grade book, and I cannot wait for you all to read it. 

Nero is a spin-off book from my Magical Mister Mishkins series. However, it is a very different story. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Jack who is spending the summer with his nan, Jean, and her dog, Nero. As the story evolves, Jack notices that there is something unusual about Nero plus Nero’s relationship with his nan, as you see from the following scene: 

With an excited bark, Nero turned in the opposite direction and bounded back down the streets towards home. Jean was sitting there, waiting for him. Beside her on the floor, as though by magic, was a pup cup.

‘Did you enjoy your adventures today, Nero?’ she asked, smiling as she watched him hold the cup between his paws. 

Nero nodded. ‘Only, I don’t think the lady always understood me,’ he thought.

‘Only children and very special people, such as myself, can hear you talking, you see,’ explained Jean. ‘Not all humans can understand animals in the same way that I can. It was only when she realised you had come to help her that she could sense your meaning.’

Nero nodded, suddenly exhausted after his adventures. Pup cup finished, he jumped onto Jean’s lap, curled up, and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of daisy chains and buttercups.

Jack stood at the window, fork halfway to his mouth, the last bite of chocolate fudge cake forgotten as he listened to the conversation between them. He knew it! He knew that Nero was more than just a dog. And also, that his nan was so much more than just a nan! He couldn’t wait for them to come inside so he could ask the hundreds of burning questions he had in his mind!

What Jack doesn’t realise is that Jean can hear Nero’s thoughts, and that she is the latest in a line of daughters and granddaughters with this unique bond between them and their dogs. As Nero the Hero develops, we find out more about their history, learn a surprising fact about Jack, and then face drama as Jack decides that it is time for him to be a hero himself. 

I hope you are ready to meet your favourite new superhero, as Nero the Hero is waiting to meet you!

Samantha Mattocks