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lyrareadsbooks's review
5.0
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.
carnisht's review
3.0
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/2021/08/27/the-fairy-swarm-by-suzanne-selfors/
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/2021/08/27/the-fairy-swarm-by-suzanne-selfors/
alissabar's review
4.0
This is the last book in this series. It wraps up most things neatly, but there is enough wiggle room that if Ms. Selfors decides in the future to revisit Ben and Pearl's world, there are some ideas to pursue. And if she doesn't, the reader's imagination can come up with some great what if's. My only disappointment was that the way Pearl treated Victoria wasn't resolved. An apology would have been the high road, even though Victoria is extremely annoying.
thomcat's review
5.0
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.
ki4eva's review
4.0
A cute book that ends the series. I like how it wraps everything up and the article in the back of the book was funny.
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