Copter Duck! And The Curse of Dark Wood

Name: Copter Duck! And The Curse of Dark Wood
ISBN: 9781917022521

by Paul Banthorpe

Publisher

Candy Jar Books

Publication

Oct 30, 2025

Format

Paperback/Softback

Illustrated

Yes

Price

£7.99

Dimensions

19.8 x 12.9 cm

ISBN

9781917022521

Pages

Age

7 - 9 years

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

English-Language Book of the Month for November 2025 at the Books Council of Wales!

In Copter Duck! And the Curse of Dark Wood, readers are transported to Featherdown Farm, home to a lively cast of talking animals – clever pigs, kind hens, funny goats, and Bess the loyal sheepdog. But nearby lurks Dark Wood, home to fearsome foes like beastly badgers, slippery stoats, and dastardly Felix Fox, who will stop at nothing to seize the farm.

At the heart of the story is Little Dan Duck, a duckling born with a damaged wing who cannot fly. But with courage, determination, and the help of his heroic alter ego Copter Duck, he takes on the bullies of Dark Wood and learns that being different can also be a strength.

A children’s adventure novel for ages 7–9, packed with the important themes of bravery, disability, and friendship.

Awards & Endorsements

English-Language Book of the Month for November 2025

Copter Duck has been awarded English-Language Book of the Month for November 2025 at the Books Council of Wales.

Author(s)

Paul Banthorpe

Paul Banthorpe is a writer, a husband and a dad. The stories of Copter Duck have been a main stay in the Banthorpe household for over twenty years between Paul and his children. Now they've all flown the nest, it's time to share the story of the unexpected hero of Featherdown Farm to a wider audience!

Illustrator(s)

Terry Cooper

Terry Cooper was born in London in 1969 and moved to the Welsh Valleys in 1980. After a brief period in the music industry with his band Best Shot, who supported East 17 on tour around the UK, Terry went back to his artistic roots and worked for various film and television companies. He has since graduated from the University of Glamorgan with a degree in Computer Animation.

Terry released his first book Kangazang: Remote Possibilities in 2008 as the beginning of the now-complete Kangazang trilogy. During May 2012, Terry travelled to the Tunisian desert to restore Luke Skywalker’s home. He has recently finished his first feature film, Offworld, which he wrote and directed in 2017. Terry is an illustrator and has worked on a number of Candy Jar's books.