Book Review: Sweetheart Fairies -- Daisy's Rainbow Picnic by Katie Peters

Book Review ...

Sweetheart Fairies -- Daisy's Rainbow Picnic

Author: Katie Peters
Illustrations: Sanja Rescek

Published in 2008 by Scholastic Children's Books
ISBN10: 0439944767       ISBN13: 9789439944762

This book is about Fairy Daisy and her friends baking goodies for their afternoon picnic.

Each page features a different sparkly fruit flip-up flap that hides beneath it a special dessert that each of her friends is bringing along. Daisy used raspberries, Jasmine a peach, Rosies cherries and Lily  blueberries. Doesn't each sounds so delicious and yummy. A story about friendship, hope and love.

It was a nice surprise to find out what had been freshly made and even though it was a secret written under the flap most were easy to guess. 

I found the graphics very pretty and the storyline is super cute that keeps the reader engaged right to the last page.

Each Sweetheart Fairy is dressed in little dresses matching the colour of the fruit that they used for their dessert. They each have a sparkly set of leaf wings, shoes and lacy trims on their gowns. Plus, each page features wee critters from butterflies to ants to caterpillars to dragonflies too! Each of these are just as sparkly as their Fairy friend. 

The graphics by Sanja is definitely the reason why I purchased this 6 paged hardcovered picture book. The raised sparkles makes this book fall within my guidelines under the touch and feel category. 

You can purchase this book through your local bookstore. I did take a look through most of the larger on-line bookstores but either they were all very expensive or out-of-stock.

Daisy's Rainbow Picnic is just one of four in this set of board books. The other titles being Jasmine's Sparkly Surprise, Rosie's Magical Hide-and-Seek and Lily's Twinkle Bedtime. Be sure to check out these other books in this series. 

Book Review: Flower Fairies Friends -- How to Host a Flower Fairy Tea Party by Frederick Warne

Book Review ...

Flower Fairies Friends -- How to Host a Flower Fairy Tea Party

Author: Frederick Warne
Illustrations: Cicely Mary Barker

Published in 2005 by Warne Frederick & Company
ISBN10: 0723253609     ISBN13: 9780723253600


Have you ever been invited to a tea party? Have you ever hosted a tea party? How about having a guide book what was actually written by fairies for such an occasion. Well, in this book you will find help from the Kingcup Fairy and pretty Fairies who will help you throw the perfect tea party.



Here are a few secrets from the fairies to you...

The first project you get to make is butterfly invitations, the perfect way to share-the-date.

Everyone loves snacks so Fairy Strawberry shares her favourite Baked Strawberry Recipe and Fairy Holly suggests Christmas Tree Toasties for those tea parties held during the holiday season.

The Pink Fairies share decoration ideas, like tissue carnations, Candytuft's name cards and Pansy's Chair Wings.

Fairies Tansy, Guelder Rose and Kingcup help you with your fairy fashions ranging from outfits to tiara's and floral crowns. Oh and you can't forget, the yarn pom-poms for your shoes!

The last project is to make pop-up cards to say thank you to all of your fairy guests who attended.

In the very back of the book, Fairy Lavender includes a space for you to record all of your special memories.

This book is filled with beautiful patterns, instructions, ideas, 40+ stickers and a party planner list to help you along the way.




You can purchase this book through your local bookstore or on-line through Indigo.ca or Amazon.com. Be sure to check out the other three books written by Frederick Warne and illustrated by Cicely Mary Barker in this Flower Fairies Friends Collection.




Whether is be midsummer or during the winter holiday season, this book will help you host the perfect tea party for all of your fairy friends.

Book Review: What Kind of Fairy is Merry Berry?

Book Review ...

What Kind of Fairy is Merry Berry?

Author: Lindsey Renee
Illustrator: Lindsey Renee & Susan Reagan

Originally Published in 2010 by Chronicle Books
ISBN 9780811876858

... all you need to do is believe in yourself and your true fairy will emerge.


This story takes place in Lulaland where Merry Berry lives with her cat Pom Pom and she is about to take an adventure of a lifetime.


Merry Berry goes for a walk and finds herself is a very special neighbourhood, one she had never seen before. Meeting new friends along the way she is told the secret of what it takes to become a fairy. She couldn't believe that after her magical day she could have yet another surprise, a visit from her Guardian Angel's. These fairies help explain in more detail what Merry Berry needs to do to earn her wings. So she slowly drifts off to sleep (not without a lot trouble though) where she dreams of the things she loves to do. After sharing her special gift with her friends, Merry Berry's wishes comes true and a she receives a wonderful gift of a shimmering dress, sparkly slippers, a pretty bracelet, a magical wand and best of all the most beautiful fairy wings ever. What more could a girl ask for?

from www.mamamaryshow.com

This book is filled with colourful drawings and has splashes of sparkles throughout. The moral behind the story is one that is common sense and makes it easy to believe that becoming a fairy really can happen. And can't it after all? Don't we all have something special inside of us that makes us unique and different, of course we do.


Now tell me, what kind of fairy are you?



You can purchase this book through your local bookstore or online through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

Book Review: Pretty Petals Trilogy by Fiona Hayes

Book Review ...

Pretty Petals Trilogy

Author: Fiona Hayes
Illustrators: Chris Gaisey & Wojciech Kuzminski

Published in 2016 by Kappa
ISBN: not registered

This set of three brightly coloured, doubled sided, swivel board books are set in an enchanted glade where Fairies Lily, Bluebell, Daisy, Rose and the Fairy Queen play, sing, dance and celebrate summer.

The Enchanted Garden Party ...

In the Enchanted Glade, the fairies arrive in their finest clothes to play games and sing magical music. Fairy Daisy looks beautiful in her purple dress, Rose is busy making pretty hats, Bluebell and Lily are riding snails and playing find-the-fairy.


Midsummer Magic ...

Getting ready for a summer feast, Fairy Rose reminds everyone of the Midsummer's Day festival, while Lily adds sparkling fairy dust to the dew drops and Daisy chases away the clouds with her wand just in time for the arrival of the Fairy Queen.


A Midnight Feast for Fairies ...

Fairy Rose lights the way with her glowing wand so Bluebell, Daisy and Lily can bring their blueberries, biscuits and acorns filled with sweet nectar to the midnight fairy feast being held under the bright moon.

You can purchase them through your local bookstore or online through Amazon.com and Dollartree.com.

As I love to add little books to my faerie library, these 3 are ever so cute as you get to watch the fairies as they celebrate summer with garden parties, games, snacks and singing songs.

Book Review: Fairy Friends by Claire Freedman

Book Review ...

Fairy Friends

Author: Claire Freedman
Illustrator: Gail Yerrill

Published in 2007 by Little Tiger Press London
ISBN 10: 1845064666     13: 9781845064662

"Find a poem for YOUR best friend in this beautiful book about the friendships that fairies share."


This is a storybook about the importance of friendships whether you are a wee faerie or not. Drawn within patchwork borders, each page looks magical and enchanting as Ms. Yerrill has done an excellent job of sketching the cute expressive faces on the faeries as they each seem to be smiling right back at you. Told within the setting of pretty flower garden, Ms. Freedman tells a tale through a series of poems about the love that can be found when sharing with others. Throughout the book the faeries show you how to enjoy the fun days of summer including garden parties, finding fairy dust at the end of a rainbow and the hiding of tiny treasures.  



You can find this book at your library or you can purchase it through your local bookstore or online through both Amazon.ca and Amazon.uk. Ms. Freedman is a successful children's picture book author who resides in Essex, be sure to check out her acclaimed Aliens Love Underpants series too.

When picking out a new book for the Nursery's library, I guess I must be like any other faerie for as I look for the graphics, the colours and of course the uniqueness of a book and in this case who couldn't resist a cover that has purple and silver stars along with sparkly pink faerie dust floating in a bubble. I highly recommend this book to both children and adults as each verse told by Ms. Freedman brings with it a feeling of euphoria when explaining and depicting the beauty of friends and your friendships with them.

Book Review: Fairy Houses ... Everywhere by Barry & Tracy Kane

Book Review ...

Fairy Houses ... Everywhere

Authors: Barry & Tracy Kane

Originally Published in 2006 by Light Beams Publishing
ISBN 10:097081044X   ISBN 13:9780970810441


"... just turn these pages and discover a world filled with whimsical habitats constructed from natural materials."

Filled with beautiful photos of faerie houses that have been build in the woodlands, on the beach, in meadows, in backyard gardens and in the air you are transported to a land that only those that believe in faeries can actually see. It is like when you are told to 'stop and smell the roses', faerie houses are just the same, they can hide in plain sight but once you spot one you are always on the lookout for more.

This book not only shows tiny homes but it gives you a chance to see how with just an acorn, or a seashell, or a feather or even a pretty leaf can be put to good use when building a house. As the words nature and faerie are synonymous with each other, it is easy to see how with just a bit of imagination anyone and everyone can construct a dwelling made for the wee folk. It doesn't stop with just houses though, Barry & Tracy bring to life full little villages including boats made of seedpods docked on a lake, apartment buildings made from tree trunks, mansions with individual rooms decorated with miniatures, to seasonal homes of pumpkins and snowy boughs. Truly an inspiration to all those that are young at heart.



You can purchase this book through your local bookstore or online through both Chapters/Indigo and Amazon. Be sure to check out the rest of The Fairy Houses Series®: Fairy Houses, Fairy Houses ... Unbelievable!: A Photographic Tour, Fairy Houses and Beyond!, Fairy Flight, Fairy Boat, Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery, Ocean Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery No. 2 and Kristen's Fairy House DVD.

I purchased this book way back when I had started my Faerie Nursery in 2011 thinking it was a great place to start to look for ideas for my faeries. Now, thanks to this book, I have a whole line of faerie doors and garden nurseries which just happen to cary you off into a land of magic, imagination and enchantment.

learning to read all over again

"There is not fairy-book half as wonderful as the lovely world all about us, if only we know how to read it."
Author: Morning Glories

the poem ~ adventure, romance, dreams and everything-in-between

the book ~ adventure, romance, dreams and everything-in-between

the dictionary ~ adventure, romance, dreams and everything-in-between

the *Siri ~ adventure, romance, dreams and everything-in-between

now tell me, is there a better way to learn than through a fairytale?

*Siri - Apple Inc. Voice Assistant Computer Program

Silence is an Invaluable Commodity

the definition of monotonous is when it takes 3 hours to drive from one community to the next. now imagine this time period with no wifi or radio and on the sounds of the vehicle beneath you. now picture yourself when all you can see and feel is a black velvet curtain backdrop (even when the sun shines through the windows) that leaves you in a vacuum. well, not really just in a lonely vacuum.

with noise bombarding around 24/7 it pulls you into a blurred facade of what is now considered peacefulness so even when you think you are alone even though you never are. through what is now call the *iCloud, technology has reached out and taken away the mute button and replaced it with a continuous loop of sound. when you find yourself within the confines of a carriage (or whichever mode of transportation you find yourself in) and with headphones on there is still that inaudible muffled sound coming from an *iPod playing music or podcasts, or from the tv on the back of a headrest playing cartoons which is now considered the norm for silence. though truth be told that even this type of quietness creates a bond of togetherness. mind you this aloneness does let one finish knitting that baby bonnet or reading a chapter or two from that book left on the nightstand collecting dust.

in conclusion in today's society it takes a conscious effort to be enveloped in the quietness that when the air that you breathe creates a solemn stillness of tranquility.

Wormhole

"If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave."

Author: Mo Willems,
'Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs'

An Unexpected Gift...

I have never used this blog to really showcase other people's work but today, I need to share with you something that I purchased from across the pond...  I will just copy exactly what I shared on both my business and personal page on Facebook as a tribute to the creator.


"Well you know when you purchase something and you just know that it is going to be perfect and be everything that you ever want it to be?

I can say that today, I am more than overjoyed at my latest gift to me from my faerie nursery...well okay, I purchased it to use in my faerie nursery...and NO, the faeries are NOT going to get their wee hands on it! For how much I just love their little drawings...no, no, no, no, no!

I had seen this ladies work and just instantly fell in love with the creativity, flair and beauty. Just by looking at her finished pieces you could see the pride she takes in her work. Now I have heard a little bit about the new look..'shabby chic' but I can't say that I really knew what it was until I happened across this page.

Now me being me, and ever soooo hard to please, Judy took the time to listen. She actually went out shopping just for me! She was able to see what I was wanting and then went way over and above what I was expecting. 

On the front cover, I have delicate lace, wonderful pearls, the prettiest wee mulberry roses in shades of pink and cream, shimmery white ribbon and to top it all off...the most gorgeous butterflies I have EVER seen. They are delicate, sparkly, they come in all sizes and they all have pretty pearled bodies in white and pink. 

On the front inside cover you can find matching lace, pearls and a dedication from Judy to Faerie Amma. There is even a wee little pocket just under the row of pearls and if you look close enough there are pearls on the upper corners.

On the back inside cover you'll find a matching design from the front inside cover but this time inside the pocket (upon my request), Judy has created pretty scalloped introduction cards of herself and her company.

I would like you to meet Judy from: https://www.facebook.com/inkypinkydelights

Please do drop in and say 'hi'...in fact tell her that Faerie Amma recommended her page to you  :)

Now for what you have all been waiting...look at my new stunningly beautiful, 'shabby chic' book. I can't thank you enough Judy for all you did to create this masterpiece.

The hard part is yet to come...as I really can't imagine using it!! How could I ever want to use such a beautiful keepsake. I will admit, it will probably become just that..a keepsake sitting among my faeries in all of it's splendour. Guess, I will have to pay Judy another visit to get another one that isn't quite so elaborate :)

Love Faerie Amma"

I truly am in awe of my new gift to myself...

Love Faerie Amma

The Clay Potters??

Who are The Clay Potters?

Why, YOU and I are The Clay Potters!!

My brand new line of standing-up faeries will now become The Clay Potters.

Everyone who wants to join is welcome, mind you the Faeries do insist on me telling you that there are a few simple things you must do firstly.

1. Chose a name...that sounds simple enough to me. Perhaps a favourite nickname from when you were little? Perhaps your pets name? Perhaps you just love your own name and you want to use that! The main reason behind choosing a new name is so that I (and the Faeries) can address you without any worries of sharing too much personal information here on the world wide web.

2. Decide who you are...this one is a bit tougher but I found a wonderful guide that you can use Faerie Groups (a massive thank you to the designer Kelley Heckart). So look at who you feel you are or want to be.

3. Let the Faeries know your top 3 favourite colours.

4. We need to know at least 2 of your favourite things to do. Maybe you are a knitter, a hockey fan, an archer, a baker...the list is endless.

5. Send us an e-mail to: faerie.nursery@theenchantedpathways.com

With all of this wonderful information, I, Faerie Amma will make you a Faerie (female/male). This new Clay Potter faerie will stay here in the nursery with the other faeries as a chance for us to get to know them.

There will be brief updates on Facebook and Twitter. The Website will host all of the photos and news updates. The main story line will be told here on the Blog.

Oops...did I say 'story line'? Well the whole point of letting The Clay Potters get into mischief and mayhem is for me to start a faerie tale book. I will record what is happening here in the nursery and share it here with you....as YOU are the characters.

If you have any suggestions, ideas or questions for The Clay Potters or for me please do not keep them to yourself as I will need all the help I can get.

I look forward to creating The Clay Potters and for you get to know them too.

Faerie Amma

Back Home

Well after a 10 day trip down south to do a massive shopping spree I can guarantee you the nursery is well stocked all the way from new tools, wires, decorations, clear baubles and over 1000 flower heads.

A big thank you goes out to Sherry for her great printing job. We now have our 'adoption papers', disclaimer forms and box labels all ready to be cut.

Slippers for everyone :)  

As the nursery likes to be visitor friendly, 

I thought it would be nice to have slippers available for guests.

A new book by Faye Durston for inspiration :)

Much needed supplies. 

New paints for the company colours and my favourite paint brushes

Pretty coloured wires for bodies!!

Plastic baubles for a new project (it's still a secret)

More wooden boxes for the trinkets to be stored in. 

I managed to buy the next size up as well for larger doors. 

 Floral foam for the teacups.

Lots of new yarns for faerie hair. 

I managed to find the most interesting textures. 

And finally but certainly not the least.....over 1000 flower heads!

While in the hotel room I was able to separate most of them into their own little baggies 

but as I continued shopping I finally ran out of time. 

The next few nights will see me getting these flowers ready to be sorted.