Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp

By Jonathan Auxier
New York: Amulet Books, 2020. Intermediate chapter book.

Auggie is a mostly normal child -- except that he has a job. Auggie's job is to care for the magical, mythical, strange animals that live in the Fabled Stables on the island at the top of the world. One day, the stables suddenly prepare themselves for the arrival of a new creature -- a mysterious animal that Auggie must venture into a swamp to rescue. Auggie uses all of his clever skills to save Willa, a new-born Wisp, from a pack of hunters.

This early chapter book series opener is a whimsical and colorful delight. Auggie is a charming main character and readers will relate to his longing for a friend on the island -- and will laugh as he tries to befriend his enchanted stick-in-the-mud named Fen. Full-color artwork on every single page brings Auggie, Fen, and all the creatures to life with vivid and dreamy fervor. With the next Fabled Stables book planned for a spring release, this is sure to become a favorite series for chapter book readers.

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