Magic Animal Rescue 1: Maggie and the Flying Horse

by E. D. Baker, Lisa Manuzak (Illustrator)

Overview

In this first book of a new chapter book series by E. D. Baker, one girl has the adventure of her young life!

Eight-year-old Maggie has a keen eye for noticing things in the Enchanted Forest that no one else does -- like unicorns, griffins, and tiny flying horses with wings. One day while Maggie is herding sheep with her pesky stepbrother, she stumbles upon an injured flying horse. The only way to help the horse is to take it to a kindly stableman named Bob, who cares for many different magical animals! But in order to do so, Maggie must set out on her own and journey through the Enchanted Forest, which is full of dangerous trolls and goblins who get in her way. Will Maggie reach Bob in time to save her new friend?

This new, black-and-white illustrated series is perfect for fans of Princess Ponies, Magic Horses, and Critter Club.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681191416
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	151,292
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

E. D. Baker is the author of the Tales of the Frog Princess series, The Wide-Awake Princess series, The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker series, and many other delightful books for young readers, including Fairy Wings, Fairy Lies, and A Question of Magic. The Frog Princess was the inspiration for Disney's hit movie The Princess and the Frog. She lives with her family and their many animals in Maryland.

www.talesofedbaker.com

Lisa Manuzak is a concept artist, illustrator, and designer. Born and raised in Hawaii, she currently resides in upstate New York with her fiancé, two fluffy cats, and many fish.

www.lisamanuzak.com

Editorial Reviews

"A strong series opener for sensitive readers." - Kirkus Reviews

"Romantic, suspenseful, and charming, it's no wonder this series has so many fans." - Storytime Hooligans on THE BRAVEST PRINCESS

"For parents who are hesitant about princess books, here's one that will introduce nuance and character to what is so often a disappointing genre." - Common Sense Media on THE BRAVEST PRINCESS

"Readers will delight in the twists the author makes to the familiar tales, seamlessly weaving them into the plot." - Kirkus Reviews on UNLOCKING THE SPELL

"A good example of a quest for girls who are seeking something light and fun." - Library Media Connection on UNLOCKING THE SPELL

"Annie is an enjoyable, independent, and undaunted character, who uses wits and skills rather than spells in her endeavors." - Booklist on THE WIDE-AWAKE PRINCESS

"Humorous. . . . This fractured fairy tale will be enjoyed by readers who like adventure with a touch of romance." - School Library Journal on THE WIDE-AWAKE PRINCESS

From the Publisher

Maggie lives with her stepmother and stepbrother on the edge of an enchanted forest. The house belongs to Maggie’s father but he has gone away to find work and left Maggie with his new wife. This is the typical step-mother story in that Maggie does all the work while the stepmother and the stepbrother complain. When Peter is sent to shepherd the sheep, Maggie must go to help. One day, Peter wanders off into the enchanted forest and leaves Maggie to manage the sheep. She hears the goblins before they see her but thankfully goblins are not very smart. Maggie quickly falls to the ground and hides behind the tall grass. Suddenly, something bites Maggie on the wrist and her eyes fly open. A tiny horse has landed on her and is nipping with his tiny teeth. Instinctively, Maggie brushes the little horse away but as it falls to the ground, it’s wing is broken. The story continues as Maggie escapes the goblins, finds help for the little horse, and makes a lifelong friend in the enchanted forest. This is a delightful story for early readers who will be fascinated by Maggie and her enchanted forest. Luckily for the reader, the author has included a second story in this volume. Maggie and the Wish Fish continues the story of Maggie and her enchanted forest. Maggie is having trouble convincing her stepmother that flying pigs are responsible for all the dirt on the freshly washed laundry. Each time Maggie hangs the clean laundry, the pigs come soaring into the mudholes that have been created by the dripping clothes. Everyone knows that pigs love rolling in mud and flying pigs are no different. Maggie decides to visit her friend, Bob, who lives at the edge of the enchanted forest and is caretaker to all the magical animals. He and Maggie have been friends since Bob repaired a broken wing for the flying horse that Maggie brought to him. This tale is filled with golden eggs, special wishes, friendship and families. This series, “Magic Animal Rescue,” will keep elementary readers coming back for the next installment. This is a terrific series for this age group. Reviewer: Joyce Rice; Ages 7 to 10.

Children's Literature - Joyce Rice

11/01/2016
Gr 1–4—In Flying Horse, Maggie's father has remarried and her new siblings just don't seem to like her. She has a particularly hard time getting along with stepbrother Peter. He is often short-tempered, and everything she does annoys him. Plus, her stepmother gives her chore after chore, and Maggie can't keep up. Thankfully she lives by the enchanted forest with all its magical creatures—including a kindly unicorn and whimsical fairies. Maggie comes across a tiny flying horse who needs her help. Fortunately, she remembers her grandmother's tales of a man who takes care of magical creatures, and Maggie is determined to find him. Braving mischievous goblins and angry trolls, the girl sets out to save this wee creature, even if it means angering her stepfamily. In Wish Fish, Maggie continues to struggle to be accepted by her unloving stepfamily. Things often go awry with her tasks, and Maggie's punishment usually involves bed without supper. Maggie soon happens upon a talking fish in the enchanted forest who grants her one wish. VERDICT With charming illustrations and short chapters, this new fantasy series will appeal to youngsters who enjoy fairy tales.—Mary Jennings, Camano Island Library, WA

School Library Journal

2017-02-01
A lonely, misunderstood girl who pays enough attention to notice magical creatures must help a tiny, winged horse.While Maggie's father chops wood across the forest, she's left with her wicked stepmother, Zelia, and stepsiblings, including awful Peter. Her steps, new to the Enchanted Forest, don't believe Maggie when she tells them about the magical creatures and accuse her of lying to cover up laziness. Zelia threatens to give Maggie's bed to Peter unless Maggie stops with the stories and sticks to chores, then sends Maggie to help Peter tend his sheep. But Maggie falls asleep on the job, and Peter ditches her, leaving her to awaken to goblins! When a tiny flying horse tickles her while she's hiding, Maggie brushes it away—but accidentally damages its delicate wing. Maggie takes it to Bob the Stableman, a person her grandmother had told her helped magical creatures, but only after cleverly evading a dangerous troll. Bob's a kindred soul and supportive adult—a good thing since Maggie's decision to do right by the horse instead of doing chores gives Zelia an excuse to make good on threats. Kids will relate to the injustice and to not feeling heard. The simultaneously publishing sequel, Maggie and the Wish Fish, continues the familial storyline through an encounter with an allegedly wish-granting fish rather than resetting to status quo. All illustrated human characters appear to be white. A strong series opener for sensitive readers. (Fantasy. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews