Such a great start to a new series. I loved Auggie as a character and all the different kinds of magical animals and creatures he was tasked to watch over. I see this going very far

This is a wonderful beginning chapter book that has appeal to both boys and girls. Each chapter is short, the illustrations throughput add to the appeal of the book, and the story is engaging.

Willa The Wisp (The Fabled Stales Book #1) is an imaginative tale that my students will LOVE. It shows others that they can use imaginations to reach their wildest dreams. Even the smallest of things are able to come to life and soar. The characters are believable and illustrations hit the mark!

On a little island, at the top of the world, there’s a stable full of one-of-a-kind magical mysterious and just plain WEIRD creatures like the Gargantula and the Hippopotomouse, all of them cared for by one little human boy named Auggie. One day a new stall appears at the stables, and stepping through it lands Auggie in the middle of a chase for a moonlight-loving Wisp who’s also being hunted by a group who collects such animals for their dark magic. With short chapters and full color illustrations on every page, this series starter should be a great fit for imaginative young readers!

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.

I am hesitant to leave a review without the final art because I have a feeling that will influence my feelings. With beginning chapter books like this, page turns are important. The story is simple and sweet, a fairy tale feeling without being too complex. I look forward to seeing the final product.

I am a huge fan of Auxier's other books so was pleasantly surprised to see him writing for such a young audience.
This is a charming introduction to a new fantasy series for younger readers, thinking 6-8, and it features a young boy who takes care of fantastic creatures.
As a class read aloud, it would be excellent and I can see this being incredibly popular within the library.
We are always looking for books with creative creatures for the 6-8 year olds who want something a bit edgier but still with those happy moments.
I look forward to seeing the next in the series to see how it progresses.

Auggie spends his days taking care of creatures at the top of the world in the Fabled Stables. One day a new stall appears for a Wisp. Unsure of what a wisp is and noticing that the stall is empty Auggie sets out to find it and discovers Willa the Wisp who is being chased and hunted for her magical powers.

Terrific early fantasy chapter book for grades 2-4. Jonathan Auxier generally writes outstanding middle grade fantasy, but with its frequent sketches, simple and fanciful storyline, this new series may hook the younger reader and send them on to Peter Nimble, Sophie Quire, and Sweep when their reading skills have matured a bit.

This is a book that I will use with my two grandsons...we work on Facetime aside from their regular school work...it is a fantastic book which I will purchase for them. I read an early copy for Netgalley. The story is fascinating and will keep their attention....they will want to know what happens next...The characters are fascinating from Auggie to Willa and the others...I love the concept. If I were to make one suggestion, for a children's book, I would change one word...vocabulary matters. As the boys read, they write down words they don't understand...that would be one...not a biggie just didn't resonate with me. As a whole, this book is a real winner. Congratulations to the author...

what an adorable introduction to Auxier's new series. Willa the Wisp is a wonderful beginner chapter book series that can also be shared and read together as a family. I loved how Auxier tells us at the beginning that was the reasoning behind writing this series. Something that can be enjoyed together as a family, with all the weird quirky fantasy aspects of his other titles.

The Fabled stables are helped run by a little boy named Auggie. He takes care of all the amazing creatures in the stables. The stables reminded me a lot of Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George where as the stables have a mind of their own and can change depending on who Auggie is taking care of. One day one of the stables stalls appears for a new arrival and Auggie doesn't see this creature but a forest where the creature may be hiding. It is up to him to find him and also help this creature.

There are many stories out there now that tell stories of children taking care of fantasy characters. But what I loved most about this is the age group that this would be geared towards. So many of those other titles are middle grade reads whereas this was a wonderful beginning chapter book that will have illustrations for young readers to enjoy. I only got to see a few as I was generously given this advanced readers copy via netgalley. I will be eagerly waiting for other stories within this series and I hope that it will be enjoyed by many.

I received an electronic ARC from ABRAMS Kids through NetGalley.
Auggie is the stable boy for a rather unique stable filled with one of a kind creatures. He cares for them and loves them. In this first book, he has to go into another part of the world and find the new creature - a wisp. He uses his brain to rescue her and himself and brings her back to safety. His only fried is a stick named Fen who pretends not to care. Auxier captures the magic in this fantasy story for younger readers. A perfect read aloud for families and elementary classes.

Pretty cute and light fantasy for kids. I’m interested to see where the series goes.

Also, it will be better after all the artwork is inserted.

I am a huge fan of Jonathan Auxier, and am delighted that I get a chance to introduce him to my younger kids who aren't quite ready for his longer works yet. Really looking forward to building our Fabled Stables collection at home.

Eight-year-old Auggie works at the Fabled Stables and takes care of magical creatures. One night, a new stall appears for a new magical creature who is in danger. Auggie needs to venture out to save the new creature, a wisp.

This is a delightful new book that will enchant younger readers. It is fast-paced, enjoyable, and imaginative.

Fans of light-hearted fantasy will be begging for more stories after they meet Auggie, a boy who tends a barn of magical creatures and his magical friend, Fen. In this first short chapter book of the series, Auggie learns of a creature called a wisp that is in desperate need of help. Will he be able to save this creature? Original story, unique setting, imaginative details, and lots of action make this a MUST read for fantasy fans!

I love Jonathan Auxier's other books and I enjoyed this much simpler, shorter book for younger readers with a magical theme. This book for early chapter book readers doesn't have much to offer that is unusual in what is currently available in this genre - white kids with magical animals or traveling back in time. The set-up of Auggie being the only boy on an island with only a few other people could have been more explained for this younger audience. Kids who are needing something interesting at this reading level, who like magic and/or animals will likely enjoy it.

An enchanting story that leads you to a magical place. Perfect for early readers of chapter books. I read it to my 7 year old and she was engaged and couldn't wait to find out what happens next.

What a cute, whimsical story! I read The Night Gardener (by the same author) a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though The Fabled Stables is a read-along for children, it still highlights how talented the author is. He manages to make this short tale unique and creative. Moreover, I loved all the quirky, mutated creatures on the Island like ‘the Hippopotomouse’ and the ‘Bush Squid’. Auggie and Fen have a very adorable friendship. Auggie is upbeat and positive, while Fen is grumpy and pessimistic. But they still look out for each other when needed.

As I read the advanced copy, few of the artwork was still in progress and not included. However, the sketches included were whimsical and beautiful. I love the colors Olga Demidova uses for her illustrations in children’s books. Similarly, I feel the artwork would be breath-taking (like the cover) in the published version.

The only reason I didn’t give this book 4.5 instead of 5 star rating was because I felt the story missed a few details. For instance, we don’t get to know who Professor Cake is and how the Island came into being. Perhaps it would be mentioned in the future books, but I got curious about the island while reading, and was hoping for a tidbit of its history.

Apart from that, Willa the Wisp is a wonderful start to this children’s series. I hope to see the duo add many more books to it.

This is a fun early chapter series starter filled with fantastical creatures and charming illustrations. While this may describe many series currently on the market, Auxier's skill at creating a fantasy world with adventure, humor, and hints of mystery for younger readers sets it apart.