Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Care and Feeding of Sprites
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Fiction Series
For ages 7 to 10
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006 ISBN: 978-1416927570
Simon Grace and some of his friends and family are members of the International Spirit League and they have asked Tony and Holly to help them create a handbook for the care of these exotic, entertaining, and often demanding creatures. Thanks to this handbook those of us who feel inclined to bring sprites into our lives can do so forewarned and with adequate knowledge and understanding of these remarkable creatures.
The handbook begins by warning would be sprite keepers that people who do not have the Sight should not attempt to keep sprites. After all if you cannot see them, it is hard to care for them adequately. Next Holly and Tony give their readers a thorough description in words and pictures of the basic anatomy of a sprite. This section is followed by a chapter on where to acquire your sprite and how to select it. On many of the pages readers will find boxes containing very useful tips about sprite behavior, how to find a lost sprite and more. They will also find boxes containing cautionary notes which will surely save many sprite keepers from making truly dreadful mistakes.
Holly and Tony then go on to describe how best to feed, house, entertain, and groom your sprite so that it is both healthy and happy.
Wonderfully written with sage wisdom and humor, and beautifully illustrated throughout, this delightful book will enthrall Spiderwick fans of all ages. With a cover that folds out into a beautiful poster showing "Representative Sprite Species of the world" and packed with fascinating facts about sprites of all kinds, this is the book which sprite keepers of all ages will not be able to do without. Sprite keepers are strongly recommended to visit the International Spirit League website for more information and assistance.
