Why we’re excited
At ten, every child in Amelia's world gets to visit the Imagitorium and make an imaginary friend. Amelia comes out with Ruru, a fluffy bear with butterfly wings, only to find the factory in chaos and its Caretaker missing. Shy as she is, she sets off to find her.
Sarah Beth Durst writes for both adults and children, with The Spellshop on the adult side and The Girl Who Could Not Dream for younger readers. This standalone middle grade fantasy is a good bet for readers aged eight to twelve, and for parents looking for a gentle, funny read-aloud.
On our most-anticipated list since 22 October 2026. See all the most anticipated books →
What to know about The Imagitorium
We have reviewed 6 of Sarah Beth Durst’s books, with an average score of 4.1 out of 5. Our highest-rated so far is The Warbler (4.5★); the most recent is Sea of Charms.
At 304 pages it is shorter than most fantasy books out in March 2027, where the typical length is about 400 pages.
From the publisher
New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst takes readers on an unforgettable journey full of whimsy and adventure as a young girl and her imaginary friend set off to save a magical factory full of fantastic creatures.
It’s really very impolite to ask anyone to risk life, limb, and extra limbs without giving them a choice.
Shy daydreamer Amelia has been looking forward to this day for as long as she can the day she, as a ten-year-old, finally gets to enter the magical Imagitorium and create her very own imaginary friend.
But when she walks out of the Creation Room with Ruru, a fluffy, bearlike being with butterfly wings who gives excellent hugs, and into a scene of pure chaos, she quickly realizes that something’s gone very wrong. The Imagitorium is so much bigger than anyone outside knows, filled with dragons and sea monsters and candy cyclones, and now it’s starting to fall apart. The Caretaker is missing, and it’s up to Amelia to find her.
Amelia knows that she’s never been a hero, but… maybe she can still help?
Description supplied by the publisher.
We haven’t read The Imagitorium yet. When our review goes up, it will replace this page.
