The Rain Dragon Rescue

The Imaginary Veterinary #3

by Suzanne Selfors, Dan Santat (Illustrations)

Someone or some thing is stealing from the peaceful residents of Buttonville. But is the thief from the real world...or the imaginary one? Ben and Pearl are about to find out. When they report for duty at Dr. Woo's, Mr. Tabby hands them a bucket and a shovel -- for the collection and proper disposal of dragon droppings -- and directs the apprentices to the hospital's roof. Soon, they come face-to-snout with the dragon that lives there and find a pile of proof that he is the thief.
Before Ben and Pearl can persuade the dragon to stop stealing, an emergency call comes in from the Imaginary World. The rain dragon has been injured! But with Dr. Woo out of town and Mr. Tabby busy with percolating pixies, time is running out.
Will Ben and Pearl finally get a chance to travel to the Imaginary World? Even if it means breaking Dr. Woo's rules? Even if it means they might never come back?
Suzanne Selfors delivers a wild journey filled with mythical creatures and zany adventures that are anything but imaginary.
This book includes bonus writing, art, and science activities that will help readers discover more about the mythological creatures featured in The Rain Dragon Rescue . These activities are designed for the home and the classroom. Enjoy doing them on your own or with friends!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Dragons, Adventure, Chapter Books

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Suzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.

Please visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com to learn more about her books.

Reviews

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books just keep getting better and better. I just love watching Ben and Pearl grow during their adventures. These books are so full of imagination! I love the adventures that await us in the imaginary world. I love it even more when the imaginary world clashes with the real world...because adventures happen! These books bring me and my boys together every night to snuggle and enter the town of Buttonville with Ben and Pearl...such a gift! There is mystery, suspense and fun within the pages and we can't wait for the next book. 5 stars!

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first successful bedtime chapter books for both boys (at ages 4/5 and 6). I can see them reading these independently as they get older.

[Bookslut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the previous. Got to go to Imaginary World!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most exciting book of the series so far!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family book club has turned into reading all of the Imaginary Veterinary books and I am enjoying reading the whole series in order and not the bits the catch when it's my turn to do bedtime reading. I liked this book 2nd best of the 3 I've read so far. I enjoyed the new characters introduced. The one who sends Ben and Pearl on their adventure is as reckless as Pearl from what we've seen so far, and it makes me wonder how she's made it at Dr Woo's so long. The one who comes on the adventure continues the theme from last book of the character you are introduced to as a troublemaker redeeming themselves by solving the problem. And in this case he was even able to give a gift to the city. It was 100% irresponsible of Dr Woo not to provide him with the supplies he needed so he was forced to steal. I am surprised Mr Tabby didn't insist on that, it's such an easy way for them to be found out and forced to a new place. On the adventure I liked the eventual solution and how they didn't get to speak to the creature they helped due to a language barrier. I loved the scale of that creature and how it taught you about its home culture.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Ben and Pearl are off on an adventure that they shouldn't be on. Of course, their quick minds and soft hearts are always what saves the day. Dr. Woo got lucky the day these two stumbled into her life.

This story starts off with metal things disappearing from Buttonville. The kids quickly realize it is the dragon they saw in the first book stealing all of it. So they set their sights on solving that problem. Little do they realizae that by trying to save that problem, they would end up on an adventure in the Imaginary World and help solve a much bigger problem.

As always the artwork is amazing. It adds such depth to the story. My nephew and I almost cried over some of it. I really think artwork should be included with every book ever published.

[Deacon Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was my favorite part? The whole thing! Two dragons? I love dragons so much. The artwork of the Rain Dragon flying above Ben and Pearl was beautiful.

What didn't I like? The artwork that showed the Rain Dragon in pain. That was awful. I almost cried it was so sad.

[Cadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a rain dragon being rescued from a poacher, whose name was Max Stealer. They freed it from a metal trap and fixed the dragon's horn because it was ripped of. I really liked this book!

[Anne Patkau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selfors' series keep me Smiling. Yin yang symbol means fierce Black and kindly rainbow Rain Dragons, quick optimistic Pearl and cautious worrywort Ben 10, new best friends in Buttonville. Heroes can be apprentices, learning to grow better than evil enemies.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part of the book was Metalmouth! I wonder who the dangerous person trying to break into the hospital is. I didn't like the fact that the dragons horn got ripped off. I hope in the next book they ride a unicorn!
-Mia, 7

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter and I are reading this series together. He really liked this book in the series because they helped an animal in the imaginary world. He loves the characters and story

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Mulberry is VERY annoying (and getting old fast), but otherwise an enjoyable, silly story.

[Jhandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rave review from my 6 y.o. He's making the natural transition from dinosaur to dragon lover, and this was a fun read aloud for him.

[Angel Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so FUN! Plenty of adventure! My students and I give it a big thumbs up.

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearl and Ben travel to the Imaginary World to discover what is wrong with the Rain Dragon. Another fantastic book in this series. Plus the introduction of a big villain, and he is vile!

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

still for kids but good

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books keep getting better and better! It will not disappoint.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing, Ive never been so interested into a book where I didnt want to stop reading it.

[Kali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet! A fun read out loud.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! We got to the dragons!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Licelot Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good.
I don't have anything else to say.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet

[Bronwen Merrill]

Counting as novels. 23/25 in 2025

[Corey James · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're really loving this series. Metalmouth is a great new character and we finally got to go to the Imaginary World.

[Mary Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying reading this series to my daughters. These books follow the adventures of Ben and Pearl, two unlikely friends who rescue and aid a variety of fantastical creatures as they apprentice for the mysterious Dr. Woo, veterinarian to imaginary creatures. In this story, Ben and Pearl discover just how complimentary their personalities and strengths are as they travel for the first time to the Imaginary Realm to rescue a Rain Dragon in distress. After a successful mission, the plot thickens as they learn more about Maximus Steele, a human who somehow has found entrance to the Imaginary World and is a danger to all the creatures within. Action and suspense mixed with whimsy makes this a fun read. I recommend it to kids who like animal books and kids who like fantasy and kids who like humor!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend The Sasquatch Escape: The Imaginary Veterinary: Book 1, The Lonely Lake Monster: The Imaginary Veterinary: Book 2, The Rain Dragon Rescue: The Imaginary Veterinary: Book 3 and The Order Of The Unicorn: The Imaginary Veterinary: Book 4 written by Suzanne Selfors with illustrations by Dan Santat for middle grade readers or anyone wanting to experience grand adventures filled with fun and heartwarming characters. At the end of each book Selfors includes several pages of story stretcher activities for writing, art or science. After having read each of these twice, I simple can't wait for book five.

My full recommendation for the entire series to date: http://bit.ly/1s145jh

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy these delightful books. The friendship that is developing between the two main characters is helping both of them to overcome their shortfalls, and together they are having some amazing adventures.
This latest story about the juvenile dragon that is stealing all things metal from Buttonville is very funny. I particularly liked the dragon's ability to speak in a BIG, scary voice that came in handy when needed. Once again, with little at hand, they saved the day and the raindragon. Plus they got to go to the imaginary world. I just hope the weight of the dragon's nest on the top of the hospital roof doesn't cause roof failure.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third book in The Imaginary Veterinary Series, Ben & Pearl finally meet the dragon that has been living on the roof of the old button factory. Unfortunately, it is because he has been stealing metal objects throughout the town. The real mission of the book occurs when Ben & Petal get to finally travel into the Imaginary world. They must save an injured Rain Dragon before it is too late. Neither Dr. Woo nor Mr. Tabby is available to help, so they are on their own. Can they figure out the problem before it is too late? And will they make it back to the Real World? Another solid entry in this series. Recommended for grades 3-5.