A reader’s guide
Children of the Hidden River
Three illustrated adventures by Uncle Yod, set in Sainahm, the Land of the Returning Rivers. Follow Narin, Arya and their children through stories about integrity, courage and the freedom to be yourself.
Begin with The Boy with the Secret Mark, continue with Twins at the Village of Perfect Smiles, then read The Tiger Who Would Not Stay.
The Boy with the Secret Mark
Narin’s perfectly round birthmark gives him an influence he never asked for. When a stolen map leads to a hidden river, he must decide how to use that power honestly.
Explore the bookTwins at the Village of Perfect Smiles
Kanya and Arun reach a village where everyone seems happy. As they look behind the perfect smiles, the twins discover why telling the truth and allowing difficult feelings matter.
Explore the bookThe Tiger Who Would Not Stay
Arun wants to help an injured tigress. Caring for her and her cubs teaches him that love sometimes means protecting another life’s freedom.
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A family, a mysterious country, and the choices that matter
Welcome to Sainahm, the Land of the Returning Rivers. Villages follow the water through fruit trees, hidden channels and forests. Here, an unusual gift can bring admiration, temptation and a responsibility its owner never asked for.
Written by Uncle Yod, Stuart Corlett’s pen name for these stories, Children of the Hidden River is an illustrated fantasy series for readers aged 12–16. Inspired by the Marked series, it follows Narin and Arya, then their twins, Kanya and Arun, through adventures about honesty, courage and compassion.
Young people with integrity
These heroes have gifts, but their most important choices are human ones: telling the truth, questioning someone powerful, respecting another person’s freedom and caring for a creature they cannot keep. The stories make room for uncertainty and difficult feelings while giving readers people worth believing in.
What each book explores
The Boy with the Secret Mark: Narin learns that being trusted means taking responsibility for his influence. Honesty and courage matter more than making people obey.
Twins at the Village of Perfect Smiles: Kanya and Arun question a happiness that leaves no room for sadness or disagreement. Kindness includes listening and respecting a person’s right to say no.
The Tiger Who Would Not Stay: Arun learns that understanding an animal does not make it his to own. Compassion asks him to consider the tigress, her cubs and the people who share their home.
Read alone. Talk together.
A warm, conversational narrator and clear language carry the stories. Rich colour illustrations introduce every chapter. Each book ends with one page of ideas for family conversations about the choices the characters make and the choices we meet in ordinary life.
Each book costs NZ$9.99 and includes separate PDF and EPUB downloads. The PDF keeps the illustrated 6 × 9-inch page layout, starts with the front cover and has no contents page. The EPUB lets readers adjust the text size. To ask about a paperback, use the email link on the individual book page.
A few things to know
Who are these stories for?
Readers aged 12–16 who enjoy unusual gifts, mysterious places and heroes with integrity. Families can read and discuss the stories together.
What does NZ$9.99 include?
One complete book in two separate formats: a colour illustrated PDF and a reflowable EPUB. Each book is sold individually.
Can I request a paperback?
Yes. Each book page has an email link that opens your email program with the book title filled in. Ask about colour or black-and-white copies, price and postage.
Who is Uncle Yod?
Uncle Yod is Stuart Corlett’s pen name for Children of the Hidden River. The stories are inspired by his Marked series.
For yourself or your book club
Questions to take into the conversation
- What does integrity look like when telling the truth costs you something?
- How can we help someone while leaving them free to choose?
- When might caring for someone mean letting them go?
Discuss these after reading; answers may reveal parts of the story.