The Sky is (Actually) Falling

Penny was right: the sky is falling.

When an iron acorn falls from the clouds and nearly cracks her beak, Penny—a Rhode Island Red with zero patience for nonsense—realises her farm is in trouble. But she isn't just a bird on a mission; she’s an asset. Snatched from the dirt and carried into the clouds, Penny finds herself trapped in a silver castle that is literally falling apart.

The giants who live there are nomads—parasites who plant magic beans to suck the life out of the earth below. And they need Penny’s golden eggs to refine that stolen energy before their floating kingdom crashes.

Teamed up with a cynical, one-legged rooster and a singing harp with a mysterious past, Penny must decide: will she keep her head down and lay the gold, or will she lead a barnyard rebellion to save the earth from the giants above?

Tropes You'll Love

The Unlikely Hero: A practical hen in a magical world.
Found Family: A ragtag team of misfits (including one very reckless boy).
High-Stakes Heist: Breaking out of a giant's kitchen is no easy feat.
Classic Retelling with a Twist: A "Jack and the Beanstalk" story where the giants aren't just big—they're dangerous.
Grit & Determination: Standing tall even when you're the smallest one in the room.

Behind the Story

The Sky is (Actually) Falling started with a single, "what-if" question: What if Chicken Little, the Little Red Hen, and the hen that laid the golden eggs from Jack and the Beanstalk were all the same chicken?

I wanted to explore the life of a bird who is carrying the weight of the world on her wings. Penny isn't just a paranoid bird crying that the sky is falling—she’s a hard-working, justice-sensitive hen who is tired of doing all the work herself while everyone else reaps the (golden) rewards.

This story is about grit. It’s about the "small" characters who keep the world turning while the giants are busy squandering its resources. Penny is a hero for anyone who has ever felt like they were the only one noticing the cracks in the ceiling. It’s a fast-paced adventure that asks: How do you find the courage to save a world that hasn't always been kind to you?

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About the Author

Renee Conoulty is an Australian author based in Gippsland, Victoria, writing books with humour and heart for all ages. She writes picture books, graphic novels, and chapter books that centre thoughtful characters, emotional literacy, and small acts of kindness. As a regular at local markets, Renee is inspired by conversations with young readers and the way children see — and question — the world around them.

Book Details & Metadata

Title: The Sky is (Actually) Falling
Author: Renee Conoulty
Release Date: July 2026
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling
Themes: Grit and resilience, environmental stewardship, bravery, unlikely friendships, justice.
Setting: A decaying silver castle in the clouds and a giant’s perilous kitchen
Target Age: 9–12 years (Middle Grade)
Format: Paperback & eBook
Availability: Available via Amazon and major retailers.

Summary for Search: A high-stakes Middle Grade fantasy retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Follow Penny the hen as she navigates a floating kingdom, teams up with a one-legged rooster, and leads a rebellion against energy-hungry giants. Perfect for fans of adventurous animal stories with "grit.".

The Sky is (Actually) Falling