Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

When 10-year-old Ben Silverstein arrives in smalltown Buttonville to stay with his grandfather, he is prepared for the most boring summer ever. Buttonville has its share of excitement, however, starting when Ben and a local girl named Pearl see what looks like a dragon flying to the newly opened -worm hospital- outside town. When Ben discovers an injured dragon hatchling, he and Pearl head to the hospital, which is actually a refuge for imaginary creatures (including that other kind of worms-dragons) run by the mysterious Dr. Woo. While there, Ben accidently releases a sasquatch, and he and Pearl are sent to retrieve it. Selfors (Smells Like a Dog) has created an entertaining story that will pique readers- interest from the first dragon sighting. Ben is a relatable main character, and daring, outspoken Pearl is the perfect partner in crime. Santat-s characteristically dynamic illustrations (not all seen by PW) complement a story that will have readers eager for the next book in the Imaginary Veterinary series. Ages 7-12. Author-s agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. Illustrator-s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Apr.)

Kirkus Reviews

Ben Silverstein's summer with Grandpa is about to go wild. When his parents need to "work out some troubles," 10-year-old Ben gets shipped off to tiny Buttonville, where everything seems to be closed or out of business since the button factory was shuttered years ago. Ben's used to spending summers in the pool in his Los Angeles backyard with his friends, and Buttonville looks positively coma-inducing. When Grandpa's mouser Barnaby deposits what has to be a baby dragon on Ben's bed, Ben and his new friend Pearl (whom the whole town calls "troublemaker" on account of a few innocent incidents) decide to visit the new "worm doctor" who has moved into the abandoned button factory. (Ben had heard her strange assistant Mr. Tabby buying ingredients for "dragon's milk" at the grocery....) When their visit unleashes a hairy, pudding-loving imaginary beast on the town of Buttonville, Ben and Pearl volunteer to catch him. Selfors kicks off her Imaginary Veterinary series with a solid, entertaining opener. Ben and Pearl are Everykids that readers will relate to, and the adults of Buttonville are often delightfully weird and clueless. Twenty-five pages of backmatter include information on wyverns and sasquatch as well as the science of reptiles and a pudding recipe. More hijinks-filled adventure than mystery, this is sure to win an audience. (Adventure. 8-12)

ALA Booklist

Sent to spend the summer in his grandfather's small town, 10-year-old Ben Silverstein has an adventure bigger than any he could fabricate when he and new friend Pearl corral an escaped Sasquatch. In this promising start to the Imaginary Veterinary series, Dr. Emerald Woo, veterinarian to imaginary creatures, has set herself up in a closed-down factory. Because the kids have discovered her secrets, rescuing not only the foul-smelling bigfoot but also a wyvern caught by Grandpa Abe's cat, she offers them summer apprenticeships in what she calls Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital. They will be supervised by the mysterious Mr. Tabby, a man with a red mustache and a long cat's tail. The title concludes with further information about the mythical creatures, suggestions for readers' own stories or art, a science connection, and a recipe for pudding. The series' preposterous situation and the need for secrecy provide plentiful opportunities for suspense as well as humor, and it should appeal to middle-grade readers who will ignore the curricular postscripts. Santat's finished illustrations were unavailable for review.

Horn Book

While Ben is spending the summer with him, Grandpa's cat catches a baby dragon. Ben and local girl Petal take it to the only vet around, Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital, which is actually a secret haven for imaginary creatures; a wild search mission for an escaped sasquatch, captured exuberantly in Santat's illustrations, ensues. Information on fantastical creatures and related activities are appended.

School Library Journal (Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 3-5 Ben Silverstein, 10, is sent to his grandfather's house in sleepy Buttonville for the summer while his parents sort out "some troubles." When his grandfather's cat brings home a baby dragon, Ben discovers that Buttonville may actually be the most exciting place in the country. He and his new sort-of friend, Pearl Petal, discover that the old button factory is now home to Dr. Woo and a hospital for creatures from the Imaginary World. When they arrive with the injured baby dragon, Ben inadvertently lets a sasquatch into the Known World, and he and Pearl must return the hairy beast before anyone notices him. Funny, touching, and sure to please, this title is full of charm. Kids will relate to Ben and his troubles, root for the amazing animals, and enjoy Santat's zany illustrations. Selfors ends the book with information about the featured creatures, story and art prompts, a "Science Connection," and a cool recipe. Recommended to fans of Gordon Korman's "Swindle" series (Scholastic). Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, AZ