The Rain Dragon Rescue

The Rain Dragon Rescue
by Suzanne Selfors
Recommended Ages: 10+

Someone or something is stealing metallic items from the residents of Buttonville. Ben, a boy known more for making up stories than for bravery who's visiting his grandpa in the small town, knows it's a something and, more importantly, what it is: a dragon. But he can't tell, because he's been sworn to keep his lips zipped about the imaginary creatures that Dr. Emerald Woo treats at her so-called worm hospital in the abandoned button factory at the edge of town. She's a veterinarian who specializes in treating creatures from the Imaginary World, and Ben is one of her two apprentices – together with a trouble-prone girl named Pearl.

And now Ben and Pearl know there's a dragon living on the roof of the Imaginary Veterinary. They meet him. They make friends with him. He's only terrifying if you don't know him. But that same day, they have to treat a much bigger dragon who lives in the Imaginary World, and who won't be living much longer if they don't get to her soon. They don't have time to wait for Dr. Woo or a more qualified member of her staff. They have to break some rules, stretch their wings, and travel for the first time to the Imaginary World, not knowing what they will find when they arrive.

Well, it isn't what you'd expect either. So the adventure is as much yours as theirs as they encounter a creature almost unimaginably immense, and the damage caused by an evil so monstrous that it can only be human. I have a feeling this Maximus Steele they learn about on this adventure will become something of a nemesis in the books to follow. But let this synopsis so far succice to tease your curiosity about a magical adventure sprinkled with chills, laughs and breathtaking wonder. I also recommend the extras in the back of the book, including the background of the legendary creatures features in this book, some prompts for readers to use their own imagination and think up stories of their own, a science project and a creativity challenge (kind of an art project). Clearly, author Selfors is on a mission to encourage kids to stretch their imagination.

This is book 3 of "The Imaginary Veterinary," whose other titles include The Sasquatch Escape, The Lonely Lake Monster, The Order of the Unicorn, The Griffin's Riddle and The Fairy Swarm. I don't usually like to start reading a series in the middle, but I had to becuase books 3 and 4 were the only ones my local bookstore had; but I've ordered the rest, so that's all right. Selfors is also the author of the "Smells Like..." trilogy, 10 "Ever After High" books, three "Wedgie & Gizmo" books, the "Willow's Wood" books Sam Squirrel and Rosey Stink Badger, two "Spirit Riding Free" books, and 8-10 other novels, including To Catch a Mermaid, Fortune's Magic Farm, The Sweetest Spell and Wish upon a Sleepover. Her latest book is called Ratty and I'm told it's about a boy cursed to look like a rodent. So perhaps that gives you an idea of the kind of imagination she's working with. I'm interested in seeing more.