Review by Booklist Review
Seven fairy years old, Sylva Bell looks forward to her birthday. Unfortunately, it falls just after the Fairy Ball, which is open to fairies eight and older. Though disappointed, Sylva tries to make her sisters' beautiful gowns even more exquisite and ends up making a mess. Now disappointed and disgraced, Sylva stays home while her sisters go to Queen Mab's ball. But when she realizes that trolls are about to attack the palace, Sylva bravely flies forth to save the day. While the story is told in third person, McNamara occasionally addresses readers directly. For instance, in the beginning she advises those seeking a story about perfect little fairies to choose another book, but continues, 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. Readers who find that synopsis inviting will be pleased with what they find in this illustrated chapter book, the first in a series about Tinker Bell's younger sisters.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This breezy novel opens the Fairy Bell Sisters chapter-book series, which introduces Tinker Bell's younger siblings. An amiable narrator explains that while Tinker Bell lives in Never Land with Peter Pan, her five sisters live on Sheepskerry Island, "which I believe is not far from where you are right now." The story focuses on Sylva Bell, who is distraught to learn that she's too young (by a day) to attend the annual Fairy Ball. Perking up, the well-intentioned fairy decorates her sisters' gowns-with disastrous results-but redeems herself on the night of the ball. The distinct personality of each sister (including baby Squeak, who has her own language) emerges through lively dialogue. McNamara (a pseudonym for agent Brenda Bowen) fills the pages with whimsical details of fairy life, and her knowing narration ("Let's not speak of trolls now, while everything's going so nicely") gives the story its gentle warmth and humor. Big-hearted Rosy stars in Rosy and the Secret Friend, due simultaneously. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7-9. Author's agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Tinker Bell's younger sisters star in this series by a seasoned author. In Fairy Ball, the sisters are making a practice cake for Sylva's eighth birthday the following week, when an invitation for a special fairy ball arrives. Only those eight years or older can attend. Since Sylva can't go, she tries to make her sisters' gowns even more beautiful (to their dismay). When trolls arrive in town in hopes of attaining the Narwhal's Tusk, the young fairy is the only one who takes notice. The siblings' adventures continue in Secret Friend, in which the dangerous Summer People make their appearance. Instead of avoiding them as usual, Rosy befriends a girl named Louisa. A bit on the saccharine side, these titles will appeal to tenderhearted girls who dream of magical places. The books do include some conflict among the sisters, but it is resolved quickly and feels typical of any sibling relationships. Denos's black-and-white illustrations capture sweet moments. Large type and good amounts of white space make these titles appropriate for beginning chapter-book readers. Additional purchases, particularly where fairies are still popular.-Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Five lesser-known sisters of the famous Tinkerbell are given their own adventures in this charming series. The first two volumes introduce Sylva and Rosy as they battle trolls and brave the company of children vacationing on their island home. Denos's spot art and occasional full-page illustrations provide visual interest and help break up the short chapters, which are perfect for emerging independent readers. [Review covers these Fairy Bell Sisters titles: Rosy and the Secret Friend and Sylva and the Fairy Ball.] (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The first installment in a chapter-book series chronicling the adventures of Tinker Bell's younger sisters. While Tinker Bell is off in Never Land with Peter Pan, her younger sisters enjoy their own fairy lives on Sheepskerry Island. Sylva, Tinker Bell's second-youngest sister (youngest being baby Squeak), is looking forward to her birthday, as once she is 8 fairy years old she will be allowed to attend the Fairy Ball. She's crushed when the fairy queen, Mab, schedules the ball for the day before her birthday. Poor Sylva tries to come to terms with having to stay home with baby Squeak while her other sisters go to the ball, but her efforts to help her sisters prepare go awry. Finally, the night of the ball comes, and through the window, Sylva witnesses a large band of trolls heading straight for Queen Mab's palace and the ball. Sylva must (after securing her also-too-young-for-the-ball friend to watch Squeak) make the difficult decision to break the age rule and save the fairies from the trolls, who seek to steal the fairy magic. The narration is sweet and gentle--verging on too sweet--but Sylva's proactive personality makes her an engaging character for readers to follow. Good intentions and heroism wrapped in a dainty package for girls who can't get enough fairies. (glossary of baby Squeak's language, cake recipe, music) (Fantasy. 6-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
