The Extincts Read online

  GRYPHON

  Front end of an eagle, rear end of a lion. When not chasing pigeons (or wildebeest, if available), it likes to lie around in trees. This can end badly for unsuspecting passersby. (Note: Always check for gryphons before walking under a tree.)

  DRAGON (Grissel)

  Many different varieties, including Grissel’s Draco britannicus. Some varieties are more dangerous than others. All are best treated with respect. Once upon a time, Grissel met St. George. She didn’t like him.

  KRAKEN

  Like an octopus or squid, the kraken is a cephalopod (which means “head-foot”). One day, Mrs. Lind’s kraken will be the size of a small island, big enough to sink a cruise ship with one tentacle. For now, it mostly lives in the toilet. Partial to fish sticks.

  OUROBOROS (Tail-Biter)

  A dragon-like creature that spends all eternity sucking on its own tail. It’s a boring job, but somebody has to do it or Time will stop. Inclined to gloom, it likes sitting in rocking chairs, but not being sat upon.

  PING FENG (Crackling Rose and piglets)

  Black pig, with a head at both ends. This can lead to difficulties if the heads want to go in opposite directions.

  UNICORN (Big Nigel)

  NOT the airy-fairy, shimmery-shiny, pearly-horned sort that farts rainbows. Big Nigel is the heavy horse of the unicorn world, and he gets very grumpy about having his tail combed or his horn grated (for alicorn, a miracle medicine that cures almost anything).

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

  Veronica Cossanteli is an elementary school teacher who lives with three cats, two snakes, one guinea pig, and a large assortment of lizards. The Extincts is her first novel. You can sign up for email updates here.

  Roman Muradov is an illustrator and cartoonist from Moscow, Russia, currently living in San Francisco. His clients include the New Yorker, the New York Times, NPR, Google, and many others. His work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators (Gold Medal), American Illustration, and numerous other shows. You can sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  The Animals of Wormestall Farm

  About the Author and Illustrator

  Copyright

  Text copyright © 2016 by Veronica Cossanteli

  Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Roman Muradov

  Henry Holt and Company, LLC

  Publishers since 1866

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  All rights reserved.

  The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

  Cossanteli, Veronica.

  The extincts / Veronica Cossanteli; illustrated by Roman Muradov.—First edition.

  pages cm

  Summary: In order to raise money for a new bicycle, George takes a job at Wormestall Farm, where he encounters creatures supposedly extinct or mythological, a new—female—friend, and a maniacal taxidermist who wants the animals for her own private collection.

  ISBN 978-1-62779-403-9 (hardback)—ISBN 978-1-62779-523-4 (e-book)

  [1. Extinct animals—Fiction. 2. Animals, Mythological—Fiction. 3. Friendship—Fiction. 4. Moneymaking projects—Fiction. 5. Magic—Fiction.] I. Muradov, Roman, illustrator. II. Title.

  PZ7.1.C674Ext 2016 [Fic]—dc23 2015006001

  Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by e-mail at [email protected].

  First hardcover edition 2016

  eBook edition February 2016

  eISBN 978-1-62779-523-4