The Hidden Folk: Stories of Fairies, Dwarves, Selkies, and Other Secret Beings by Lise Lunge-Larsen

Illustrator: Beth Krommes
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Stars: ***

This book contains one story for each being, with the exception of the Flower Fairies who have two stories. Also covered are Gnomes, Hill Folk, Elves, Dwarves, Water Horses, River Sprites and Selkies.

Before each story is a few paragraphs about the magical being including where the name comes from other names for them and common “facts” about them. The stories are accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Beth Krommes, which adds just the right touch to the book.

My only real complaint is that it’s so short.

Falcon’s Egg by Luli Gray

Illustrator: n/a
Series: n/a
Publisher: Demco Media Inc.

Stars: ****

The title is a little misleading because it make you think the egg belongs to a falcon bird. However in this case, the girl’s name is Falcon and the egg she finds is that of a dragon!

I enjoyed this story, as the particulars of the dragon, from egg to adolescence are believable. What I mean is, although I’ve never seen a dragon, if one does exist, I could see it looking like and behaving like it does in the story. The 11-year-old girl is also dealing with her own issues. Her father’s not around and she doesn’t really have any friends and is constantly teased at school.

This book is followed by Falcon and the Charles Street Witch by Luli Gray, which I will also be reading for these two challenges.

The Sun Is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch

Illustrator: Frank Asch
Series: N/A
Publisher: Gulliver Books Hourcourt, INC.

Stars: ****

This is a delightful story for toddlers about the joys of the sun. To quote the inside jacket:

“There are many stars in our galaxy. But there’s only one that can wake us in the morning, play hide-and-seek behind the clouds all day, and paint pretty pictures in the evening sky. There are many stars in our galaxy. But there’s only one sun!”

AGES: 2-3

Marriage of the Rain Goddess by Margaret Olivia Wolfson

Illustrator: Clifford Alexander Parms
Series: n/a
Publisher: Marlowe and Company or Barefoot Books

This book was inpsired by a fragment of a Zulu myth. The author expanded upon it. It’s a beautiful story of how the Rain Goddess chooses her mate and Clifford Alexander Parms did a extraordinary job on the illustrations, they are beautiful.

Child of Faerie by Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Series: none
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

This is the story of a little girl who goes for a walk at night on Hallow's Eve and comes across a boy faerie. She tours his world and then he comes back and tours hers. They want to stay together but neither can live in the other's world for very long so they must part, but they visit often.

The illustrations are beautiful paintings and the book is written poetically:

"She looked around the faerie hall
Beneath the hollow hill,
And all the glamour round her spun
To bend her to his will."

This is a very beautiful book I would like to own someday.

Witch Twins by Adele Griffin

Illustrator: Jaqueline Rogers
Series: none
Publisher: Hyperion Books for children

Witch Twins is the story of twin sisters Claire and Luna who are witches. Their Grandmother is a 5-star witch while the girls haven't even reached 1-star yet. Their father is getting remarried to a woman neither of the girls likes. What can they do to stop it

This book is recommended for ages 7-10 and I can certainly see why kids (mostly girls) in that age group would like this book. It sounds like it was written by a child in that the author captured what tween girls sound and act like. The story was fun to read.

Although witches in this book are different from witches in real life, I still recommend it. Just explain to your child or better yet, have them explain to you what the similarities and differences are.

A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown

Illustrator: Jean Charlot
Series: none
Publisher: HarperCollins

This is a little book for 1-3. It's a great book to read in the morning before you start your day. It talks about waking up the sun, the birds and squirrels, the bugs and finally at the end, the children. It's great because it reminds us of how all nature is up and around everyday even if we can't see them ourselves (especially those of us who live in cities.) It's like a kid's morning prayer.