Where the Wild Things Are held a book launch for Dr Emily Larkin's latest novel, Dugongs of the Sky (Wombat Books), on 24 April 2026. Emily was in-conversation with Dr Sarah Klenbort, and the pair discussed approaches to writing, drawing on research, and fantasy fiction's capacity to explore real-world issues, including prejudice, diversity, and protecting the environment.
Dugongs of the Sky is a seafaring fantasy adventure about friendship, conservation, and flying dugongs. Emily realised that most of the fantasy books she grew up with featured British or American animals or landscapes and so decided to represent Australian wildlife in her novel—such as dugongs, bilbies, wallabies, and crocodiles. The story is for ages 10+ and follows Captain Scree Barnacle, who is on a mission to save the sky dugongs. Her voyage to petition the Wavebearers' Council and overturn an ancient hunting law means sailing the perilous Starstruck Straits, dealing with sabotage, and unravelling a magical mystery.
