New to Zoey's backyard
Start with Dragons and Marshmallows. It reveals the family's magical-animal secret and shows how Zoey turns questions into a simple experiment.
Book Series · 10 Books
Zoey and Sassafras Books
In order from Dragons and Marshmallows to Gnomes and Sneezes.
Zoey and her cat Sassafras care for magical animals by asking questions, keeping a science journal, and testing possible solutions. Short chapters and illustrations on nearly every page make these gentle mysteries an inviting bridge into independent reading.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Zoey and Sassafras Books
Read the ten numbered adventures in publisher order, beginning with Dragons and Marshmallows and ending with Gnomes and Sneezes. Each book brings Zoey a new magical-animal problem, and each mystery reaches its own solution, so children can enjoy one at a time even though the recurring characters and Zoey's confidence develop across the series.
There is no separate companion or adaptation line to work into the order. Boxed sets collect the same numbered stories and do not add to the ten-book count.
Sources: The Innovation Press book inventory, The Innovation Press series description.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The magical creatures are sick, injured, lost, or threatened by environmental problems, but the danger stays mild and the stories focus on patient caregiving rather than frightening conflict. Experiments sometimes fail, giving Zoey a chance to revise her idea instead of treating mistakes as disasters.
Every adventure models child-led inquiry: Zoey observes, records evidence, researches unfamiliar ideas, and uses a kid-friendly glossary. The publisher recommends the illustrated chapter books for roughly ages 6–10, with enough support for many newly independent readers.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
The first book is the clearest introduction, while the self-contained mysteries make the series forgiving for a child who has already found another volume.
Interested in a favorite creature
It is fine to try the matching adventure first. Each book explains its immediate problem and completes that creature's story.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2017
Dragons and Marshmallows
By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)
A young girl discovers a magical world of creatures in her backyard and learns to care for them with the help of her scientist mother
96 pages· 8,263 words· Est. 1 hour read
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Zoey and her cat, Sassafras, discover a secret: magical animals need their help. When a baby dragon falls ill, Zoey must use her science skills to save it. Can she solve the mystery before it's too late? Each adventure brings a new creature and challenge, blending magic with scientific inquiry. Join Zoey as she experiments, investigates, and journals her way through enchanting mysteries, all while learning about the wonders of science. Will her curiosity and determination be enough to help her magical friends?
In reading order
Zoey and Sassafras Series
10 books · Published 2017–2024
#1
Sale price
$674
Dragons and Marshmallows
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2017
A young girl discovers a magical world of creatures in her backyard and learns to care for them with the help of her scientist mother
#2
Sale price
$674
Monsters and Mold
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2017
A young girl helps a monster with a mold problem so he can attend the Monster Ball.
#3
Sale price
$674
Merhorses and Bubbles
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2017
A young girl helps a magical frog and a group of merhorses solve the mystery of a polluted stream
#4
Sale price
$574
Caterflies and Ice
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2017
A young girl helps magical creatures in need with the help of her cat and her thinking goggles.
#5
Sale price
$674
The Pod and the Bog
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018
A young girl discovers a magical seed pod and embarks on a journey to find its origin and save it from extinction.
#6
Sale price
$574
Unicorns and Germs
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018
A young girl helps a giant unicorn with a hurt leg by using her science skills and the help of her mom and cat.
#7
Sale price
$674
Grumplets and Pests
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2019
A young girl helps her magical friends deal with mischievous creatures that feed on their happiness.
#8
Sale price
$574
Bips and Roses
Chapter Book · Ages 5–10 · 2020
A young girl and her cat try to save the magical forest and its creatures from disaster.
#9
Sale price
$674
Wishypoofs and Hiccups
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2021
A young girl helps a magical creature with hiccups that are causing chaos in the forest.
#10
Sale price
$674
Gnomes and Sneezes
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024
Zoey discovers a hidden room and a mysterious illness. Can she save her magical friends?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Zoey and Sassafras series?
There are 10 books in the Zoey and Sassafras series. It began with Dragons and Marshmallows in 2017, and the newest book, Gnomes and Sneezes, was published in 2024.
What order should you read the Zoey and Sassafras books in?
Start with Dragons and Marshmallows and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #10.
What ages are the Zoey and Sassafras books best for?
The series is best for ages 5–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Zoey and Sassafras book is the longest?
The Pod and the Bog (Book #5) is the longest book in the series at 9,051 words (96 pages).
Which Zoey and Sassafras book is the shortest?
Caterflies and Ice (Book #4) is the shortest at 8,114 words (96 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Zoey and Sassafras to life.
Keep exploring
Similar Series
Dragon Girls
Ages 7–10
The Dragonling
Ages 7–10
Magic Tree House
Ages 6–9
Dragon Slayers' Academy
Ages 7–10
Magic Tree House: Merlin Missions
Ages 7–9
Clementine
Ages 7–9
Enchanted Pony Academy
Ages 7–10
Moongobble and Me
Ages 6–10