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The Wump

Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Hardcover
$18.99 US
5-1/2"W x 8-1/4"H | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Sep 29, 2026 | 320 Pages | 9798217004911
Age 9-12 years | Grades 4-7

From the co-creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles series comes a deliciously dark supernatural middle-grade coming-of-age story, with two-color illustrations throughout.

Timothy’s grandpa has a saying: the best way to deal with bullies is to wump ‘em. But Timothy would never hurt a fly—and not just because he genuinely loves bugs. He’s always been a good kid…until a shadowy monster appears and begins feeding on his darkest thoughts. Facing bullies both at home and at school, Timothy cocoons himself in the monster’s shadows, where he is consumed by a desire for revenge. But how much of himself can Timothy give up before he is completely transformed?

Award-winning author-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi stuns in this creepy, brilliantly illustrated, and poignant reflection of the darkness—and light—inside of all of us.
Tony DiTerlizzi is a New York Times bestselling author who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for his cinematic version of Howitt's classic The Spider and the Fly. His art has graced the work of J. R. R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Greg Bear. He and his wife reside with their pug in Amherst, Massachusetts. View titles by Tony DiTerlizzi

About

From the co-creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles series comes a deliciously dark supernatural middle-grade coming-of-age story, with two-color illustrations throughout.

Timothy’s grandpa has a saying: the best way to deal with bullies is to wump ‘em. But Timothy would never hurt a fly—and not just because he genuinely loves bugs. He’s always been a good kid…until a shadowy monster appears and begins feeding on his darkest thoughts. Facing bullies both at home and at school, Timothy cocoons himself in the monster’s shadows, where he is consumed by a desire for revenge. But how much of himself can Timothy give up before he is completely transformed?

Award-winning author-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi stuns in this creepy, brilliantly illustrated, and poignant reflection of the darkness—and light—inside of all of us.

Author

Tony DiTerlizzi is a New York Times bestselling author who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for his cinematic version of Howitt's classic The Spider and the Fly. His art has graced the work of J. R. R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Greg Bear. He and his wife reside with their pug in Amherst, Massachusetts. View titles by Tony DiTerlizzi