What do you think?
Rate this book
The Imaginary Veterinary #6
The Fairy Swarm
Ten-year-olds Ben Silverstein and Pearl Petal have had quite a busy summer as apprentices of Dr. Woo, veterinarian for imaginary creatures. When a swarm of sugar fairies escapes into Buttonville, Ben and Pearl must protect the townspeople, keep the fairies safe, and outsmart the dangerous poacher, Maximus Steele.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2015
59 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Selfors
67 books844 followersSuzanne 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 25, 2020
Final books in series are always bittersweet. Selfors does a wonderful job of bringing this series to and end. I loved the Vacuumator!
May 15, 2018
This whole series is great! In this book they have to capture a whole swarm of sugar faries, but they have lots of trouble along the way. The most exciting part of the book is when they found Dr.Woo's missing apprentice. Throughout the book I felt happy in most parts, but a little scared in some parts. I would recommend this book for anyone over the age of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2016
The book that I recently finished is called The Fairy Swarm. I thought that this book was action-packed, very detailed, and and a great ending to the Imaginary Veterinary series. The genre that this book is an action/fantasy book. This book made me feel tense, happy at some points, and angry at others. The main characters in this series are Pearl Petal and Ben Silverstein. The setting is in a town called Buttonville. The theme is to do anything it takes to keep a promise. This book is about Dr. Woo treating fantasy creatures with her two apprentices, Pearl and Ben. The protagonists of this book are Dr. Woo, Pearl, and Ben. The antagonist is a poacher who tries to take parts of animals from the imaginary world to sell in the real world. But he cannot get back to the real world unless he has fairy dust. So some fairies come to seek Dr Woo's help. I like this book because it was fun to read. I recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind short books and fantasy.
December 2, 2015
I highly anticipated the publication of this book and all my hopes for it were fulfilled! I have thoroughly enjoyed the Imaginary Veterinary series, and as the series concluded, I felt like I was losing good friends. I am not always a fantasy reader, but this series reeled me in from the beginning. A must read!
May 9, 2016
The Imaginary Veterinary series comes to and end with some wiggle room for a possible return in the future. Maximus Steele must be stopped before he steals the fairy dust that will allow him to travel between worlds to sell the imaginary creatures to the highest bidder.
October 31, 2024
In this sixth and last book of the Imaginary Veterinary series, Ben and Pearl's adventures as apprentices to Dr. Emerald Woo come to a thrilling and satisfying, if regrettable, conclusion. I mean, who really wanted this series to end?
The tiny, economically depressed town of Buttonville is visited with a swarm of what the locals believe to be killer bees. But actually, they're sugar-crazed fairies on the loose from Dr. Woo's hospital. Meanwhile, the doc's nemesis, imaginary creature poacher Maximus Steele, is on his way, and it's time for the hospital to move again before local busybodies find out exactly what's going on. Also, someone called an exterminator. With all these signs of impending disaster, a lot rides on the creativity of tall tale teller Ben, the mischief-making expertise of Pearl and some plain sasquatch sense. But the only solution may mean an end to the two kids' all-too-brief summer of magical adventures.
Ben and Pearl are fun young heroes to follow. Their hijinks are hilarious. Their widely different personalities play off each other wonderfully. They both grow and overcome personal limits. And both of them, especially Ben, are bravely battling personal issues that will go right to the reader's heart. Their adventures with Dr. Woo and her anthropomorphic feline friend Mr. Tabby are loaded with magic, danger, puzzles and challenges. There is a healing aspect to these books, and a gentleness that I hope will rub off on many young readers – with catchy ethical concepts such as "every creature deserves veterinary care." And as always, the after-parts of the book about in teaching material that goes down easily, with creative writing prompts, what-would-you-do scenarios, and hints at where you can find the book's imaginary creatures elsewhere. I'm not just recommending these books. I'm giving them to my niece, and I hope she enjoys them at least us much as I did.
The tiny, economically depressed town of Buttonville is visited with a swarm of what the locals believe to be killer bees. But actually, they're sugar-crazed fairies on the loose from Dr. Woo's hospital. Meanwhile, the doc's nemesis, imaginary creature poacher Maximus Steele, is on his way, and it's time for the hospital to move again before local busybodies find out exactly what's going on. Also, someone called an exterminator. With all these signs of impending disaster, a lot rides on the creativity of tall tale teller Ben, the mischief-making expertise of Pearl and some plain sasquatch sense. But the only solution may mean an end to the two kids' all-too-brief summer of magical adventures.
Ben and Pearl are fun young heroes to follow. Their hijinks are hilarious. Their widely different personalities play off each other wonderfully. They both grow and overcome personal limits. And both of them, especially Ben, are bravely battling personal issues that will go right to the reader's heart. Their adventures with Dr. Woo and her anthropomorphic feline friend Mr. Tabby are loaded with magic, danger, puzzles and challenges. There is a healing aspect to these books, and a gentleness that I hope will rub off on many young readers – with catchy ethical concepts such as "every creature deserves veterinary care." And as always, the after-parts of the book about in teaching material that goes down easily, with creative writing prompts, what-would-you-do scenarios, and hints at where you can find the book's imaginary creatures elsewhere. I'm not just recommending these books. I'm giving them to my niece, and I hope she enjoys them at least us much as I did.
August 8, 2018
I'm so sad to say that this is the last book in this series. It is so funny, sweet, real (even though it is about imaginary creatures),and heart warming.
Pearl finds a fairy in the diner and sets about bringing it back to Dr. Woo. Little does she know that Dr. Woo is also dealing with a emergency.
A lot of funny things happen as they try to at first get Twanabeth the fairy queen back to Dr Woo and then round up an entire swarm of fairies. All of our now beloved characters get involved in this funny story.
I kept wondering through out the series if we were going to have a sugar sweet ending with the Mulberrys. I was pleased with how that played out.
The last two chapters had me crying. Honestly the two chapters before that had me fighting them. I didn't want to say goodbye.
Just as Dr Woo and Mr Tabby said, maybe somewhere down the line they will meet again.
Pearl finds a fairy in the diner and sets about bringing it back to Dr. Woo. Little does she know that Dr. Woo is also dealing with a emergency.
A lot of funny things happen as they try to at first get Twanabeth the fairy queen back to Dr Woo and then round up an entire swarm of fairies. All of our now beloved characters get involved in this funny story.
I kept wondering through out the series if we were going to have a sugar sweet ending with the Mulberrys. I was pleased with how that played out.
The last two chapters had me crying. Honestly the two chapters before that had me fighting them. I didn't want to say goodbye.
Just as Dr Woo and Mr Tabby said, maybe somewhere down the line they will meet again.
July 30, 2018
The final book in the Imaginary Veterinary series. Pearl and Ben are assistants to a vet who cares for creatures from the Imaginary World. A swarm of sugar fairies get loose in the Real World, and the kids have to catch them. Yet the dark shadow of the evil Maximus Steele is looming over them. Can Pearl and Ben keep the fairies safe and undetected, or will the cunning poacher do in them all?
I read this wonderful series with my eight-year-old son. We both loved it. So sad that this is the last book, but what a fantastic end it was! Lots of humor, action, and wonder. My son wants the young dragon, Metalmouth to have his own series.
I read this wonderful series with my eight-year-old son. We both loved it. So sad that this is the last book, but what a fantastic end it was! Lots of humor, action, and wonder. My son wants the young dragon, Metalmouth to have his own series.
January 20, 2021
A bittersweet ending to the series. I had hoped they’d go to the imaginary world one more time, but alas! Lots of surprises in this last one. I was hoping for a little more closure than we got. Also, Pearl says some really mean stuff to Victoria that’s never resolved. And we are left to assume that Ben goes home at the end of summer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2018
I am so sad to see this series end! I love all the characters in it and felt like they were saying goodbye to me. I think Metalmouth is my favorite because he's a dragon who acts like a dog.
I hope someday they are all together again!
I hope someday they are all together again!
November 11, 2019
Really cute series on imaginary creatures. I liked how the author included a creature connection at the end of each book telling a bit about the history of the creatures and inviting readers to interact with the story through writing.
June 19, 2019
The fairy swarm is a bunch of fairies that got loose and had to be caught. I don't remember much about this book, other than that I liked it.
August 6, 2020
A cute ending to a fun series!
December 30, 2020
Loved this series and can’t recommend it enough! I did get sad and had to hold back tears at the end. Would love to have more in this series, or a second series with Dr Woo, but I understand the author wanting to move on.
May 11, 2021
Amazing series! This was my favorite book. My son and I would love to see this series continued!!!
February 6, 2022
A fun series to read. My fourth graders will love it.
March 2, 2022
Final book in the series. Hudson and I both cried. I will miss the characters. Hudson is ready for me to read the whole series again💛
June 25, 2023
Cute story, I will be passing this along to my grandchildren to read.
July 11, 2023
I have to say this series would have been perfect if I had found it when I was 11
July 28, 2024
The kids loved this series! It’s perfect for elementary aged kids looking for something a little magical!
Read
October 2, 2025I understand why that kid on Instagram had a cry after finishing this series. I wonder if the author will ever continue Pearl and Ben’s apprenticeship with Dr.Woo.
29/25 in 2025
29/25 in 2025
April 16, 2016
The Fairy Swarm is the sixth and (it appears) final book in the excellent "Imaginary Veterinary" series. I really hope it isn't the last of these characters because I have adored every book in this series, and more importantly, my kids love them too.
In this installment, a swarm of fairies escape the imaginary world and cause lots of trouble in the known world, specifically the town of Buttonville. Ben and Pearl, as assistants to the only Imaginary Veterinarian around, must help capture the fairies before the townspeople become suspicious. When the town's resident busybody, Mrs. Mulberry calls in an exterminator to rid the town of killer bees, it gets harder and harder for Ben and Pearl to protect the secrets of the imaginary world. This is a fitting end to the series, although it leaves the door open for my son and I to hope for a special edition follow-up or two. (Please read this Suzanne Selfors.)
The Fairy Swarm delivered on everything I love about this series. The heroes, Pearl and Ben, are both ten years old and they act like real kids. Sometimes, they are smart, sometimes they make bad decisions. Sometimes they are brave, sometimes scared. Sometimes they get their feelings hurt and sometimes, they hurt someone else's feelings. The emotional landscape of these stories has prompted a lot of conversations in my house. We use moments where the characters feel lonely, clever, angry, patient, scared, bored, curious and so on to discuss times they feel the same way. As a parent, this is huge.
The books also offer terrific insight into friendship. Pearl and Ben come from different backgrounds (Los Angeles resident Ben is visiting his grandfather for the summer; Pearl has never left the town of Buttonville). Neither has lots of friends, but both have good hearts. Pearl often tumbles into action before thinking, whereas Ben tends to think before speaking, but both learn to appreciate the other's approach.
Furthermore, Suzanne Selfors is a terrific author. The pacing keeps busy kids wanting to turn the page and the writing is at once clear and vocabulary stretching.
Kids will be motivated to read these stories for the humor and the mythical creatures occupying every page. Who doesn't love a good Sasquatch? The titles reveal a primary legendary creature for each book, but many more occupy the pages. Fairies, Dragons, Satyrs, Unicorns, lake monsters and more need veterinary care. The blend of fantasy and real world is charming. Although, thanks to these books, if I ever do run into Big Foot, I know exactly what I'll need to capture him and turn him into a yoga partner.
In this installment, a swarm of fairies escape the imaginary world and cause lots of trouble in the known world, specifically the town of Buttonville. Ben and Pearl, as assistants to the only Imaginary Veterinarian around, must help capture the fairies before the townspeople become suspicious. When the town's resident busybody, Mrs. Mulberry calls in an exterminator to rid the town of killer bees, it gets harder and harder for Ben and Pearl to protect the secrets of the imaginary world. This is a fitting end to the series, although it leaves the door open for my son and I to hope for a special edition follow-up or two. (Please read this Suzanne Selfors.)
The Fairy Swarm delivered on everything I love about this series. The heroes, Pearl and Ben, are both ten years old and they act like real kids. Sometimes, they are smart, sometimes they make bad decisions. Sometimes they are brave, sometimes scared. Sometimes they get their feelings hurt and sometimes, they hurt someone else's feelings. The emotional landscape of these stories has prompted a lot of conversations in my house. We use moments where the characters feel lonely, clever, angry, patient, scared, bored, curious and so on to discuss times they feel the same way. As a parent, this is huge.
The books also offer terrific insight into friendship. Pearl and Ben come from different backgrounds (Los Angeles resident Ben is visiting his grandfather for the summer; Pearl has never left the town of Buttonville). Neither has lots of friends, but both have good hearts. Pearl often tumbles into action before thinking, whereas Ben tends to think before speaking, but both learn to appreciate the other's approach.
Furthermore, Suzanne Selfors is a terrific author. The pacing keeps busy kids wanting to turn the page and the writing is at once clear and vocabulary stretching.
Kids will be motivated to read these stories for the humor and the mythical creatures occupying every page. Who doesn't love a good Sasquatch? The titles reveal a primary legendary creature for each book, but many more occupy the pages. Fairies, Dragons, Satyrs, Unicorns, lake monsters and more need veterinary care. The blend of fantasy and real world is charming. Although, thanks to these books, if I ever do run into Big Foot, I know exactly what I'll need to capture him and turn him into a yoga partner.
August 27, 2021
Womp womp… I had been looking forward to this final book in the series for a while, but honestly, it was a pretty significant letdown. I was anticipating a large showdown between the veterinarians and Maximus Steele, and really for that to be the primary focus of the story since that’s what everything had essentially been leading up to at this point… but alas, their whole kerfuffle was reduced to one singular chapter. That was a disappointing fizzle compared to the explosive climax I was expecting.
One of the other storylines that I was disappointed with was the “friendship” between Victoria Mulberry and Pearl. It ended without any real resolution. I had been expecting Victoria to become a third apprentice with Pearl and Ben. Honestly, it just seemed like she wanted friends… and Pearl started becoming unnecessarily rude to her. I began to pity Victoria and dislike Pearl for the way she was treating the lonely girl. This was just a poorly done series-long subplot. Victoria ended the same as she started, Pearl got worse, and there was no lesson to be learned for either the characters or the readers. Disappointing and missed opportunity for sure.
One perk of this story was that we finally learned more about Dr. Woo!
To read more of my thoughts on this story, check out
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/202...
One of the other storylines that I was disappointed with was the “friendship” between Victoria Mulberry and Pearl. It ended without any real resolution. I had been expecting Victoria to become a third apprentice with Pearl and Ben. Honestly, it just seemed like she wanted friends… and Pearl started becoming unnecessarily rude to her. I began to pity Victoria and dislike Pearl for the way she was treating the lonely girl. This was just a poorly done series-long subplot. Victoria ended the same as she started, Pearl got worse, and there was no lesson to be learned for either the characters or the readers. Disappointing and missed opportunity for sure.
One perk of this story was that we finally learned more about Dr. Woo!
To read more of my thoughts on this story, check out
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/202...
January 22, 2017
224 pages. Great ending to a wonderful series. All the answers to questions in the earlier books a reader may have had will be answered or revealed. Pearl and Ben play an integral part in helping Dr. Woo and her imaginary creatures battle against Maximus Steele. They have to be smart, brave and find unusual solutions as they try to capture the swarm of fairies. The Sasquatch plays a bigger role this time, which made me so happy. Mr. Tabby is always handy to lend a hand and continues to avoid all questions he is constantly pelted with by Pearl. I am not sure whether Maximum or Mrs. Mulberry and Victoria caused more trouble - both posed roadblocks and potential doom. I loved the illustrations. Highly recommended for Gr. 4-5.
July 18, 2016
A very satisfying end to a very fun series. I loved the two main characters, Ben Silverstein and Pearl Petal and enjoyed the development of their yin and yang relationship. What a great duo they made. Ben's cautiousness started to rub off on Pearl and allowed her to sometimes (but not always) think before she rushed into something without a single worry about the consequences. In turn, Pearl's fearlessness began rubbing off on Ben and he began to take risks on things that he never would have before meeting her. I would be perfectly happy if the author decided to write another 6 more books in the series.
December 15, 2015
So this is the last book in the Imaginary Veterinary series....what a bummer. I will say that Selfors left it open for it continue, but according to her she has a closed the chapter on this series for now. This one is told from Pearl's perspective a bit more, which was nice. I'm not crazy about how it all wrapped up as we don't know if Ben decides to stay in Buttonville with his grandfather (not that he was thinking about it), we don't know if Pearl ever becomes friends with Victoria. We just learn that Mr. Tabby is sent to find a new home for hospital and that made me sad.
April 2, 2016
This final book in the series brings things to a nice conclusion. This story was told from Pearl's perspective, and some definite growth is evident both through the book and the series. The sugar fairies are consistent and, like my daughter, overwhelmed by sweets. The major villain out thought Doctor Woo but was in turn outfoxed by the kids - though his exit was a little silly.
Read aloud with my middle school daughter, this book is perhaps a better fit for late elementary school kids. We both enjoyed the entire series immensely.
Read aloud with my middle school daughter, this book is perhaps a better fit for late elementary school kids. We both enjoyed the entire series immensely.
January 2, 2016
The man that has been poaching animals in the imaginary world is trying to capture fairy dust to travel back to the real world. The fairies escape into the real world and the characters have to find a way to capture him when he comes back.
This is a book series that I read to my son as his bedtime story. Throughout this whole series I would continue reading and finish the book the date we started. Even though this is written for young children the story is very good. I hate that this is the last in the series and was hoping that it would continue for much longer.
This is a book series that I read to my son as his bedtime story. Throughout this whole series I would continue reading and finish the book the date we started. Even though this is written for young children the story is very good. I hate that this is the last in the series and was hoping that it would continue for much longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2016
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!
February 4, 2016
I read this entire series with my youngest, who is now 8, probably 7 when we started it. This is the last book in the series and I declared last night that this has been my favorite children's series in my 14+ years of reading with my children. I really enjoyed the characters and of course, the fantasy. The author includes excellent activities at the end of each book as well. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews