Fairy Wings

FAIRY WINGS by Dennis Nolan (Illustrator), Lauren Mills (Illustrator)
Little Brown & Co - April 2001
ISBN: 0316590789 – Large-size Paperback

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks, MyShelf.com
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Winner of the Golden Kite Award for Illustration

Note: Amazon.com lists Fairy Wings as preschool – not true. It’s originally meant for juveniles (ages 7 & up), but can be enjoyed by all ages.

Little Fia is the youngest fairy in a family of eight sisters; her sisters have lovely wings, she has none. Fia’s seven sisters have compassion for her lack of wings, but they disapprove of her earthly behavior and the animals she has befriended, which are a frog, a rat, and a crow. It’s time for the May Dance, and the fairies will be showing off their wings in the reflection of Puffers Pond near Troll’s Wood. Fia has reconciled to being left out again. While sharing a new creation with rat, Fia runs into a boy fairy named Kip. He invites her to the dance, and she accepts. Will she be brave enough to follow through? Will the May Dance be safe near Troll’s Wood where the wing-collecting Troll lives?

Fairy Wings is a creatively written, artistically illustrated tale. The story is memorable, and little Fia, delicate in appearance, is valiant in thought and deed. She is a great role model. Fairy Wings is enjoyable for all ages, including adults. Getting through this 30-page wonder will take longer than you think; each illustration is wonderfully done, and will demand ample attention before you can turn to the next.

Fairy Wings also has a moral. Little Fia represents the one who is different, the one always left out. Her parents love her; her siblings love her, but don’t understand her, and she knows the world that bases itself on not only having wings, but the beauty of them, will not accept her. The author gives Little Fia a chance to show she was created this way for a reason, and that everyone should be accepted as they are.