children’s novel, Lia and The Wolves: The Magic Amulet.
De Castro is just 1 of 2 living people to have done this, and her record-breaking accomplishments aren’t over. Both a blockbuster animated film and online game are in development, with the goal of sharing Lia and The Wolves to the masses.
What started as a creative hobby, has now turned into an up and coming bestseller that redefines the way children’s books should be made.
Lia and The Wolves: The Magic Amulet, is a 63-page short novel filled with whimsical adventure, valuable life lessons, and the profound voice of an aspiring young author. Written using age-appropriate language, gentle pacing, and beautiful illustrations, children of all ages can find something to love in this book.
The story begins by introducing readers to the main character, Lia. Set in an ordinary classroom, we meet Lia’s teacher telling a tale of the nearby, dark and mysterious forest—a place Lia vows to never go. However, in a whirlwind of lost dogs and the allure of childhood curiosity, Lia ends up lost deep in the
woods and soon finds herself in a magical wolf den. From that point on, the characters embark on a heroic quest in a fantastical universe.
Young readers can look forward to elements such as visiting a fairy forest, joining a pack of superhero wolves, and other fun-filled adventures. Parents, on the other hand, will be glad to know that De Castro cleverly sprinkled valuable lessons of friendship, responsibility, courage, and personal ethics into every chapter.
Before becoming a published author at 12, De Castro discovered her love for reading at a young age. After moving to Florida, she finally had the chance to make her dream of writing a book come true. Following the initial release, brow-raising news of a 12 year-old author began making its way to local bookstores and libraries.
De Castro’s work was largely promoted by her loving father and biggest supporter, Igor Barbolin. As CEO of the production company Igor Barbolin MultiMedia, Barbolin is a veteran of the entertainment industry and producer of over 2,000 videos. Since first expressing interest in writing a book, Barbolin wasted little time in laying the groundwork to skyrocket his daughter into mainstream success. According to Barbolin, his daughter’s series “…could be huge, especially with the past success of book adaptations.” When asked what specifically made him want to take her hobby to another level, Barbolin responded, 
“A book series written by a 12-year-old? That is something too big to be ignored. I’m aware of what it takes to generate success, and Monica’s book has something special to offer.”
The father-daughter-duo are excited to confirm that the second book’s publication is set for May 5th, 2022. With De Castro currently working on the third in a projected series of 7, readers have only been given a taste of what she’s yet to release. With her eyes set on a worldwide franchise, it’s clear this is just the beginning for Monica De Castro and Lia and The Wolves.