Book One: Into the Dark Forest
Introducing the brand new series from liz flanagan, illustrated by joe todd-stanton
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest, cover art by Joe Todd-Stanton, design by Becky Chilcott
When war comes to her city, Rowan and her mum must flee to the Dark Forest to live with the grandfather Rowan never knew she had - and his white wolf Arto. Although she misses her father, Rowan makes new friends, including a trio of powerful witches. When she rescues a baby dragon from poachers, she discovers the secret of her own identity: could Rowan really be a wildsmith just like her grandfather? And when new danger threatens, Rowan will need all her courage and more.
Order the book here from Kenilworth Books
Published on 2nd February 2023
ISBN: 9781915235046 £7.99
Available from your local bookshop, Blackwells, Waterstones, Bookshop.org or Amazon.
Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards 2023, shortlisted for the UKLA Awards 2024, winner of the Stockton Book of the Year Award, nominated for the Fantastic Book Awards, shortlisted for the Spark Book Awards 2024, and the Book Awards St Helens.
I am so excited to tell you about my new book: Wildsmith, Into the Dark Forest, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
What people are saying about the WILDSMITH series:
“Wildsmiths, dragons, witches and the protection of magical animals! What’s not to love? An enchanting read. Beautifully written and utterly charming. I can’t wait for the next adventure!”
“A lush, rich, page-turning adventure from one of the most versatile writers we have. There’s no genre Liz can’t write in…”
“Liz has crafted a stunningly rich world and characters – brimming with magic and wonder, yet wonderfully warm and familiar. The lush illustrations feel reminiscent of the beautiful animations of Studio Ghibli.”
“Wildsmith has everything I want in a story – magic, mystery and dragons! Liz is the mistress of dragons and in this thrilling adventure she has cast her story-telling spell with utter charm and skill. Children are in for such a treat! Thank goodness there’s a sequel – I want more!”
“Into The Dark Forest is packed full of the best kind of magic - I want to be a wildsmith!”
Here I explain why I love Joe Todd-Stanton’s art so much - and share my favourite of his illustrations…
reviews
Here are some of the first reviews from readers, teachers and book bloggers. These readers really know their stuff, so I’m delighted to see these thoughtful expert reviews!
The Booktrust Good Books Guide reviews Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest here, calling it “delightfully engaging.”
Massive thanks to Dean Boddington for choosing Wildsmith as Book of the Month in the fantastic No Shelf Control newsletter and for calling it “one of those fantastic books that could be enjoyed by all ages.”
Huge thanks to Pam Norfolk, writing in the Lancashire Evening Post: “deliver{s} thrilling and imaginative adventures that combine the favourite, child-friendly ingredients of magical creatures, friendship and fun … Get ready for thrilling adventures, Todd-Stanton’s dream-like illustrations, themes of family and friendship, and a magical cast of characters … and the Wildsmith series looks set to be a totally wild winner!”
Miss Cleveland Is Reading blog has reviewed Wildsmith as: ‘A delightful start to a new fantasy series for younger readers, fizzing with imagination, curiosity and daring deeds.’ Thank you so much! Read the full review here.
I’m so grateful for this review on My Shelves Are Full blog, beginning: ‘Enchanting and magical, this new series is sure to delight young readers.’
Stephen Dilly, writing on the Just Imagine website, says: “I can see this being a popular book in KS2 classrooms, either for children to read independently or as a class, and it allows for discussion of a range of interesting issues including conservation and displaced families.”
From Kate Heap: “a delightful new fantasy series … younger middle-grade readers … will be completely swept away in adventure, magic and the most gorgeous baby dragons!” Read the full review here.
And huge thanks to V’s View From the Bookshelves for this detailed post here: “This fantasy story is a clever and satisfying blend of fairy tale and ecology. A short read with fast paced chapters and illustrated throughout, it is a perfect choice for children who are emerging as independent readers.”
Mary Rees has written a wonderful review here: “an enchanting, heart-warming treat for young readers of 7+ who will relish adventuring with Rowan as she fights to save the forest’s magical creatures.”
Jacqui Sydney’s blog highlights: “A gorgeous story, perfect for lower KS2, with a strong message of the importance of caring for both one another and the wider world.”
She goes on to write: “I know that my Year 3 class would adore this – both as a class reader and as an independent text for those who are more confident and reading short chapter books. With its short chapters and the brilliant illustrations of Joe Todd Stanton, this is a story with universal appeal. The war that is simmering in the background is not overly threatening and is unlikely to worry even the most anxious of youngsters but will prove an ideal opening for any PSHE work in class around the topic of conflict that is appropriate in the current climate.”
Where did the ideas come from for Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest?
In this video, Liz explains where some of the ideas came from for Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest…
Below are the German and Czech editions of the Wildsmith series! The German editions are translated by Bettina Münch, cover art is by Angelo Rinaldi, published by Von Hacht Verlag. The Czech edition is translated by Lenka Štěpaníková, published by Albatros Media, with the original cover art by Joe Todd-Stanton.
Book Two: City of Secrets
Cover art by Joe Todd-Stanton, design by Becky Chilcott
In the second adventure, Rowan starts to embrace her gifts as a magical wildsmith who heals and speaks to animals. But saving a young pegasus brings difficult decisions. Danger comes closer than ever, threatening her family and even Rowan’s own life. When she is betrayed, which friends can she trust? With her family divided and war still raging, where does Rowan belong now?
Published in UK: 6th April 2023
ISBN 9781915235077
Available now from Waterstones, Blackwells, Foyles, Bookshop.org and your local bookshop or library.
reviews of wildsmith: city of secrets
Huge thanks to Mary Rees for this lovely review: “…every bit as enchanting, exciting and heart-warming as the first: a perfect fantasy adventure for young readers of 7+.”
Thank you to Veronica Price, for this fantastic review on V’s View from the Bookshelves: “an immensely satisfying adventure… taut narrative and fully-rounded characters… I think that this beautifully crafted tale will be enjoyed by young readers throughout Key Stage 2.”
Having bookseller support means the world. Thanks so much to Chloe at Waterstones Meadowhall who said: “This is such a stunning continuation of what is already a solid favourite series for me.” You can read the full review here.
I’m a huge fan of Bookwagon - booksellers who curate a beautiful selection of books for schools - so I was thrilled to read this response: “beautiful storytelling that completes enraptures us!” You can visit their site and read more here.
illustrator informatioN:
Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton and received a first-class degree in Illustration from UWE Bristol. He is the author and illustrator of The Secret of Black Rock (Flying Eye Books), which won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2018 (illustrated category) and was longlisted for the 2018 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.
Wildsmith: The Hidden Sea
Rowan has been working as a wildsmith, rescuing magical animals. But when she finds herself alone and far from home, this time Rowan is the one who needs to be rescued. She travels deep into enemy territory, and makes some surprising discoveries, coming face to face with great danger. With the help of new friends – and old ones – will she ever make it home again?
Book three in the series will be published in the UK on 4th July 2024
Wildsmith: Magical Mountain Rescue
Book four in the series will be published in the UK on 5th October 2024
When the prince of Gallren is kidnapped, the young wildsmith Rowan has an important to role to play in his rescue – but time is running out. Can she rescue the prince, keep the fragile peace, and save another magical animal in need?
For schools
Assembly Talk & Q&A
Liz can offer an assembly talk for KS1 & 2. Her focus is on promoting reading and writing, describing why she loves books and her own reading and writing journey. She will explain where the ideas for this series came from and how to draw from your own life in your writing. She will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how a book is made - including the importance of editing!
Wildsmith Storymakers Workshop
Liz Flanagan will talk about her new Wildsmith series (illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton). She will describe how she drew on her own experience of fostering cats and her love of wild places when writing these stories. Then she will lead children through a series of accessible exercises to inspire new ideas. These steps invite children to imagine a new story using material from their own lives: we are all storymakers!
Download these extensive teaching resources for Wildsmith, devised by Jake Hope for UCLan Publishing. Includes:
Reading comprehension & vocabulary task
discussion points & further reading
activities including drawing a map, devising your own dragon and more…
