Book Review: The Night Fairy
What would happen to a fairy if she lost her wings and could no longer fly? Flory, a young night fairy no taller than an acorn and still becoming accustomed to her wings — wings as beautiful as those of a luna moth — is about to find out. What she discovers is that the world is very big and very dangerous. But Flory is fierce and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. If that means telling others what to do — like Skuggle, a squirrel ruled by his stomach — so be it. Not every creature, however, is as willing to bend to Flory’s demands. Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz and world-renowned illustrator and miniaturist Angela Barrett venture into the realm of the illustrated classic — a classic entirely and exquisitely of their making, and a magnificent adventure.
–From Goodreads
Intended Reading Group:
Middle Grade
Content Screening:
The only thing I caught was a mention of a praying mantis eating their captive’s head. Nothing major!
*****
Cover Inspection:
Gorgeous! If I was a little girl I know I would be drawn to the cover.
First Thoughts:
Flory is such a different fairy than I’ve seen before. She’s got moxie!
*****
My Review:
An absolute gem of a book! For all parents out there who have girls obsessed with fairies, this book is a must read. For those of you who have young ones that haven’t entered the fairy obsession stage yet, I suggest you snatch this up now. Flory is such a different type of fairy, such a strong and positive role model. I truly wish that this book had been around when I was younger.
Flory, our heroine, is a night fairy that looses her wings at the beginning of the story. Forced to live in a human or “giant” garden, Flory must learn to fend for herself. She learns to survive by making a home in a bird house, befriending the various gigantic animals around her, and by just being brave. Flory definitely has moxie! She is not afraid to take on spiders, or any other creatures larger than her. Young girls will find a lot to love in this spitfire of a fairy. This story is gorgeously written and packs quite a punch in the action department without being too scary. I see this as a bedtime story that will have the recipient hanging on every word, and probably dreaming about it as well.
My absolute favorite part of the book would have to be the illustrations. It is no surprise that the writing is beautiful, but it is truly the illustrations that push the story over into something that will stick with you long after you finish it. Elegant and sumptuous, the pictures in this book really show young readers what Flory’s world is like. From images of her meeting with a squirrel five times her size, to soft and lovely images of her creating her own clothes, the illustrations really pull the story together. At 26 years old I didn’t think I could fall in love with picture books anymore. The Night Fairy has definitely proven me wrong.
I highly recommend this book to all readers, young and old alike! Heaven knows that we are always looking for strong and positive role models for our young girls. I think that is what you will find in Flory if you give The Night Fairy a chance. Whether read as a bedtime story, or devoured by an older reader in small pieces, this book is sure to draw you in. To really sum it up, it’s simply pure magic in the form of words and pictures.
Book Details
Title: The Night Fairy
Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: Hardcover; 128
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Source: Library
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Final Rating: 5 Keys to My Heart
