The Fairy Bell Sisters: Sylva and the Fairy Ball by Margaret McNamara (review)

Most fairy fans have heard of Tinker Bell, but fewer folks know about Tink's passel of little sisters, all living on Sheepskerry Island, where this year's Fairy Ball will be hosted by Queen Mab. At just seven fairy years, poor Sylva isn't old enough to go, but when her other sisters head to the ball, Sylva overhears trolls heading that way and flies off to try to save the day. She does just that, managing to save Queen Mab's magical Narwhal's Tusk from the nasty trolls, and a grateful queen Mab welcomes Sylva to stay for the rest of the ball. Although this first series installment is a bit contrived, it's a breath of fresh air for fairy lovers looking for a change from Daisy Meadows' many fairy series. McNamara's writing is clear and engaging, with amusing asides to the reader: "If you would like to hear about perfect little fairies and the perfect things they do, please go find another book. If you would like to hear about a brave little fairy who can also be rather naughty and get in very big trouble with her sisters, just turn the page." Frequent soft-focus, monochromatic illustrations add to the book's attractiveness, with enchantingly detailed pictures of the young fairies and their milieu. Share this with fans of Meadows' series or the Disney's Pixie Hollow; while older primary graders will be able to read this on their own, younger fairy fans would undoubtedly enjoy it as a readaloud.