Stella, Fairy of the Forest - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1865087521 ISBN 13: 9781865087528

Publisher: Gardners Books

Synopsis

Stella's little brother, Sam, wonders whether fairies are invisible. Stella assures him that she has seen hundreds of them and says that if she and Sam venture across the meadow and into the forest, they are likely to find some. So begins the latest adventure of Stella, the irrepressible red-head, and her slightly apprehensive little brother. But Sam surprises Stella and himself by having a few ideas of his own - ideas that ensure a wonderful end to a perfect day in the woods.

About this title

Review:

Stella has as much moxie as Eloise and as much confidence (and red hair) as Pippi, but her spirit of adventure, overactive imagination, and older-sister omniscience catapult her into a league of her own. We met the inquisitive, impulsive Stella and her less reckless little brother, Sam, in Stella, Star of the Sea and in Stella, Queen of the Snow, but are newly delighted with Stella, Sam, and their faithful dog's thoroughly charming foray into the forest.

Stella has seen hundreds of fairies. Sam think he sees one, too, tiny and beautiful, but it is only a butterfly, Stella tells him. "'Do butterflies eat butter?'" asked Sam. 'Yellow butterflies do,' said Stella." As much as Stella seems to know, however, Sam knows a few things, too. That blue butterflies must eat pieces of blue sky, for instance. And that despite her insistence to the contrary, the "rock" in the stream was moving.

Marie-Louise Gay's friendly, engaging watercolors crawl with tiny snails and other woodland creatures that readers might miss the first time through. Stella, Fairy of the Forest will warm the hearts of children and adults alike, especially those who believe that a walk in the woods is an at least potentially magical adventure. (Ages 3 to 8) --Karin Snelson

From School Library Journal:

reSchool-Grade 1-Once again, irrepressible Stella guides her timid and trusting younger brother on a journey through the natural world. While her quick imagination results in immediate joy in her surroundings, Sam's careful questioning and simple reluctance lead him slowly to join in his sister's appreciation of forest magic. Stella always has the answer in natural sibling chatter as little brother tries mightily to keep up with her and understand her unique explanations. Sam asks, "Do butterflies eat butter?" With Stella's reply that "Yellow butterflies do," Sam simply concludes "blue butterflies eat pieces of sky." The author's flowing pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork offers rich interpretation of the children's journey and provides a variety of perspectives and details. The book perfectly depicts the independence and innocence of its characters, and the fluidity of the art matches the young heroine's joie de vivre. Expressions achieved with minimal pen strokes give personality to even the tiniest forest creatures, but readers' eyes are always drawn to the free-spirited Stella and her flowing red hair. A visual treasure for reading aloud.
Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gardners Books
• ISBN 10: 1865087521
• ISBN 13: 9781865087528
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback