April 13, 2009
The lure of fairies never fades, and the idea that they lurk nearby, waiting to be found, is still exciting to children. And Unzner's (Princess Me
) use of photographs (some of which feature fairy-seeking kids) as backdrops for her delicate fairies drives that notion home. Her creations are more cute than beautiful—they have button noses and frizzy hair, and appear fairly rambunctious, even as they evade the children looking for them. Debut author Paquette combines guidebook narrative (“We can see where they live if we know how to look for them”) with warmer passages that include readers in the search (“Did you feel that tingle? I think something magical
is about to happen”). Text and art work in tandem to create gentle suspense—scenes, such as one in which fairies retrieve a lost slipper just behind the retreating shoes of the searching children, will prompt giggles, and the promise of a fairy encounter is sweetly fulfilled at the end. Though Unzner's sketchy hand-drawn fairies ultimately feel superimposed on, rather than part of, the photographic landscapes, readers should still be enticed by the idea of magic infusing the natural world. Ages 4–8.
September 1, 2009
PreS-Gr 2-This story informs readers that fairies are just about everywhere, if they know how to look. The art is composed of photographs juxtaposed with cartoonlike drawings of the magical creatures. For example, an image of a field of tulips, with fairies peeking out here and there, is accompanied by text that reads, "Fairies love flowers. These tulips would be just right for playing hide-and-seek. Curled up inside, a fairy could not be spotted by anyone." Paquette encourages readers to help the sprites by doing things like blowing dandelion fluff to make a pillow or moving a rock to make a pool. A positive quality of this book is that it seeks to inspire children to notice the magnificent natural world in their own backyard or neighborhood."Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA"
Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2009
Preschool-G Fairies have hiding places, and this guide shows their many admirers how to find signs that they are in the neighborhood. Primarily composed of pictures that mix original art with photographs, the book portrays fairies playing hide-and-seek in tulips; sleeping on dandelion fluff pillows; and riding bareback on a chipmunk. The texts personal tone invites children inIts a perfect day for tracking fairies!and there is a lot to see. Kids will enjoy spotting the fantastical creatures hiding here and there amongst the flora and fauna of the outdoor settings, but the cartoonish look of many of the fairies may disappoint. More successful is the way the book finds fairy uses for natural items like acorns and flowers. Fairy lovers may find this guide will spark their own imaginations and writings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2009
This book invites readers to join in the search for magical creatures. Nature photographs are overlaid with delicate cartoon-illustration fairies, to varying effect. The reminder that fantasy worlds could lurk beneath acorns, flowers, and other natural objects will appeal to fairy fans ("Under a tiny waterfall, fairies might...stretch out and dry their wings by the light of the moon").
(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)