A Fairy Friend

PreS-Gr 2—This whimsical title introduces a host of hidden fairies. They hide behind leaves, tumble with the breeze, "skip through flowers, zip through trees—hum and buzz among the bees." Unseen by a reading child, they even "ride the backs of dragonflies." Scenes of fairies watching over the child as she sleeps and shimmering in the dark call to memory the art of classic film cartoons—detailed pen and ink and softly washed color. How to bring a fairy to you? Build a fairy house with a mossy roof, beds of thistle fluff and willow, and nutshells for a fairy swing; prepare a flower-petal stew; and quietly wait. "Gently offer out your hand, name your fairy and she'll land." Images of a young girl and her pug, watching the flickering lights of frolicking fairies or flying over forest and house lights, progress with the seasons from a simple picnic tea to heartfelt "forever friends…fairykin and fancy-free." With simple verse and detailed charm, this little book is a treasure as text, motion, and varied perspectives pull readers into a child's imagination or creative play.