Paola Merrill The Woods and Wisp

Shy rabbit Wisp must leave her forest home in search of the missing pieces of her best friend's soul. Along the way, she restores hope and discovers her own deeper truths. Wisp, a small white rabbit with a shy disposition, has lived in the Northern Wood her entire life. She's quite content working at her local apothecary and spending her days strolling down mossy forest paths. Her life would be just about perfect if it weren't for the curse that has befallen her friend. Zephyr, an old, grumpy squirrel, has become increasingly reclusive and bitter as a result of a mysterious illness. When Zephyr suddenly disappears, Wisp fears that her friend has gone to seek a cure in the Wild Wild, a sinister place from which most creatures never return. Soon after, a peculiar visitor arrives at the apothecary, warning Wisp that her friend is in desperate need of help. In order to save her, she must go on a quest to recover the missing pieces of Zephyr's soul. Facing her fear of the unknown, Wisp sets off on a journey to discover the truth behind the curse and find what has been lost. The Woods and Wisp is a tale about facing the hidden layers of ourselves and the importance of holding hope within our hearts, even when we feel our inner light has grown dim. A great read for middle-grade kids seeking a cozy, low-stakes, non-stressful reading experience with themes of hope, environmental anxiety, and managing mental health challenges.