Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Stella Fairy of the Forest
Picture Book Series
For ages 4 and up
Groundwood, 2002 ISBN: 978-0888994486
Stella is taking her little brother Sam to the forest to show him some fairies and as they walk towards the trees Sam sees all sorts of interesting things and asks all sorts of questions. For example Sam asks about some clouds which he sees in a field. Stella explains that what they are seeing are not clouds at all but are in fact lovely woolly sheep. Stella also explains how the birds and the bees planted all the flowers that they are walking through and how yellow butterflies eat butter.
Sam and Stella are soon wandering among the large old trees of the forest talking about how old the trees are and how wrinkled the "skin" of the trees looks. There are so many things to look at and to explore and it is such a wonderfully magical place that both children end up wishing that they "could stay here forever."
In this simple little picture book Marie-Louise Gay has once again created a story which children and their parents will want to read over and over again. Delightfully funny humor, lovely illustrations, and an obvious understanding of how children think and see their world makes this a picture book which is special, warm, and a joy to look at.
