- Fantasy
- Wildsmith collection
- Ages 7–10
Wildsmith
Part of the collectionWildsmith→Best for 7-10s who want magical animal adventure, dragons and fantasy danger in an illustrated, manageable chapter-book form.
- Books4 / 4
- Arcs2
- Span2022–2025
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
Wildsmith is a four-book illustrated fantasy series by Liz Flanagan, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. Into the Dark Forest introduces Rowan and her wildsmith gift, which lets her understand and help animals. City of Secrets, The Hidden Sea and Magical Mountain Rescue extend the world through different landscapes, creatures and rescue challenges. The books are designed for readers who want fantasy adventure before they are ready for long, dense novels: short chapters, illustrations, a clear heroine and a strong emotional pull around animals, family and courage.
Best for 7-10s who want magical animal adventure, dragons and fantasy danger in an illustrated, manageable chapter-book form.
Primary themes
Overall tone
- Adventurous
- Warm
- Suspenseful
- Heartwarming
Read in publication order. Rowan's wildsmith gift, family situation and world are introduced in Into the Dark Forest.
Two arcs
A series that changes as it goes.
- INarrative arcBooks 1–2 · 2022–2023Moderate sensitivity
Rowan discovers her wildsmith gift
Rowan discovers her animal-healing gift and begins navigating a dangerous world of secrets, dragons and conflict.
The opening Wildsmith arc introduces Rowan's gift and the world around her. Into the Dark Forest is the best entry point, combining forest danger, animal connection and the emotional uncertainty of being separated from parents. City of Secrets widens the setting and builds the intrigue around Rowan's world. The sensitivity is moderate because war, absence and animal danger matter, but the books are still written in a reassuring, illustrated middle-grade register for younger fantasy readers.
- IINarrative arcBooks 3–4 · 2024–2025Moderate sensitivity
Sea and mountain rescues
Later adventures take Rowan's wildsmith gift into sea and mountain rescue stories.
The later Wildsmith arc keeps the same accessible fantasy-adventure shape while moving Rowan into broader landscapes and rescue stakes. The Hidden Sea gives the series a different natural environment, while Magical Mountain Rescue pushes the animal-care and danger thread into a mountain setting. These books are best after the first two because the reader already understands Rowan's gift, courage and family context. They remain moderate sensitivity because animal danger and the broader war-shadowed world are still present, but the overall feel is hopeful and child-friendly.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 7–10
- Read aloud · 7–9
- Independent · 7–10
Reluctant-reader friendliness
High
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Designed to
Sensitivity envelope
Moderate overall, and consistent.
Content notes
- War or conflict
- Absent parent
- Animal harm
Per-arc breakdown
Where it sits
In conversation with other series.
Similar in feel
Different shelves, same wavelength.
- Serendib Adventures →
- The Last Bear →
- Dragon Girls →
Read this after…
Series that pick up where Wildsmith leaves off.
About the author