- Fantasy
- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 7–10
The shape of it
The shape of this universe.
Ember Spark is Abi Elphinstone's illustrated chapter-book series about a ten-year-old from the Scottish village of Yawn who is apprenticed to Rusty Fizzbang, a vet to magical beasts, and travels with an unlikely friend called Arno to help a different creature in each book. Pitched at the 7–9 sweet spot: short chapters, illustrations by Kristina Kister on most spreads, one magical creature per book (a baby dragon, a frost phoenix, a unicorn). The tone is warm and a touch funny, the stakes contained. Readers who liked Elphinstone's earlier middle-grade fantasy (The Dreamsnatcher, Sky Song) will recognise the voice in a younger, lighter register. Three books published so far; series ongoing.
A cosy magical-vet chapter-book series for 7–9s, one magical creature per book, generously illustrated.
Primary themes
Tone palette
- Warm
- Adventurous
- Whimsical
- Gentle
The series
One way in.
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
Cultural ubiquity
2/ 5A working classic for readers in the know.
Sensitivity
Low, and collection-wide.
Across the collection
All 3 books.
About the creator