Sylva and the Fairy Ball

April 8, 2013
This breezy novel opens the Fairy Bell Sisters chapter-book series, which introduces Tinker Bell’s younger siblings. An amiable narrator explains that while Tinker Bell lives in Never Land with Peter Pan, her five sisters live on Sheepskerry Island, “which I believe is not far from where you are right now.” The story focuses on Sylva Bell, who is distraught to learn that she’s too young (by a day) to attend the annual Fairy Ball. Perking up, the well-intentioned fairy decorates her sisters’ gowns—with disastrous results—but redeems herself on the night of the ball. The distinct personality of each sister (including baby Squeak, who has her own language) emerges through lively dialogue. McNamara (a pseudonym for agent Brenda Bowen) fills the pages with whimsical details of fairy life, and her knowing narration (“Let’s not speak of trolls now, while everything’s going so nicely”) gives the story its gentle warmth and humor. Big-hearted Rosy stars in Rosy and the Secret Friend, due simultaneously. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–9. Author’s agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

December 1, 2013

Gr 1-3-Tinker Bell's younger sisters star in this series by a seasoned author. In Fairy Ball, the sisters are making a practice cake for Sylva's eighth birthday the following week, when an invitation for a special fairy ball arrives. Only those eight years or older can attend. Since Sylva can't go, she tries to make her sisters' gowns even more beautiful (to their dismay). When trolls arrive in town in hopes of attaining the Narwhal's Tusk, the young fairy is the only one who takes notice. The siblings' adventures continue in Secret Friend, in which the dangerous Summer People make their appearance. Instead of avoiding them as usual, Rosy befriends a girl named Louisa. A bit on the saccharine side, these titles will appeal to tenderhearted girls who dream of magical places. The books do include some conflict among the sisters, but it is resolved quickly and feels typical of any sibling relationships. Denos's black-and-white illustrations capture sweet moments. Large type and good amounts of white space make these titles appropriate for beginning chapter-book readers. Additional purchases, particularly where fairies are still popular.-Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

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