Fairy Dreams

Rating:
Summary: Fairies for the New Millenium
Review: I love this book because I am a Graphic Design Student and fantasy art lover and saw a rave review in Design Graphics Issue 51 of this artist's book, Fairy Dreams. It is the first of it's kind ever produced as the artist apparently uses the computer as a painting tool. All the drawings, each object, character and background, are done in line on paper first and then these drawings are scanned into the computer to be painted in separate files. She then carefully composites the elements together at the end, which takes as much time as the painting of them apparently. When I saw it I couldn't get over the detail in the illustrations and the wonderful world she has created here for children and grown-ups alike. The transparent wings and delicate fairies, the humourous antics of some of the creatures, the brilliant colors and the textures are wild. On her website (bigblue.com.au) she tells readers just how it was done and it's clear many years as a traditional painter have made this artists work quite different than the usual computer art you see. It's incredible. When you get passed the amazing art you are caught up in a kind of "Where's Wally" hide and seek as you go from page to page looking for things the fairies have dropped as they fly off to Fairyland with the treasures they have "borrowed" from the little girl, Isobel's room. The rhyme at the bottom of each page gives you the clues for what you are looking for, which is sometimes quite difficult,especially for grown-ups, so the kids have to help. A kind of group activity for the family. Then when you get to the end of the book you see the twelve things the fairies have replaced in Isobel's room and you can go backwards to ind a whole new set of things in the pages. It's great! I have oredered this book for my little sister but my boyfriend also wants one too because of the digital art. Even my dad likes it! I highly recommend this book for those who are into fantasy art of today or just those who love children's fairytales. I look forward to her next book.

Rating:
Summary: Fairy Lovers Don't Miss This One!
Review: So.......Beautiful.........So........ Magical.......
Every turn of the page is like a new two paged mural, which there are 13 of these. They are so stunning it is hard to focus your eyes on the reading of the story. Which is also magical and fun. I loved that the text rhymed. It takes you on a journey from a little girls room into the fairy realm. Each page is a fun challenge to find an item a fairy dropped and lost within the picture. Even my five year old grandson had fun helping me find these well hidden objects. It was challenging, but we did find them all. Just when you think the fun is over you get a surprise at the end of the story to go back and find more things. A joyful book for ALL AGES!! Would buy this book for fairy lovers, of any age.

Rating:
Summary: Fairy Lovers Don't Miss This One!
Review: So.......Beautiful.........So........ Magical.......
Every turn of the page is like a new two paged mural, which there are 13 of these. They are so stunning it is hard to focus your eyes on the reading of the story. Which is also magical and fun. I loved that the text rhymed. It takes you on a journey from a little girls room into the fairy realm. Each page is a fun challenge to find an item a fairy dropped and lost within the picture. Even my five year old grandson had fun helping me find these well hidden objects. It was challenging, but we did find them all. Just when you think the fun is over you get a surprise at the end of the story to go back and find more things. A joyful book for ALL AGES!! Would buy this book for fairy lovers, of any age.

Rating:
Summary: run free in your dreams
Review: The beauty of Carol MacLean Carr's "Fairy Dreams" surpasses that of most similar books. Each picture in this book is filled with a sense of life and love.

"Fairy Dreams" is essentially a far more beautiful, even lyrical version of the old "Where's Waldo?" books.

The fairies leave things lying around in each picture. The job of the reader is to pick them out of the background. Such books do not test the knowledge of the reader, but rather the fullness and keenness of the eye. One must "know" how to see things skillfully.

This is all fine and dandy, but I'd recommend losing yourself in the pictures and words before you go searching for the items. This stuff is just plain eye-popping. Spend some time with it and let your imagination run free.

I give "Fairy Dreams" a high recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: run free in your dreams
Review: The beauty of Carol MacLean Carr's "Fairy Dreams" surpasses that of most similar books. Each picture in this book is filled with a sense of life and love.

"Fairy Dreams" is essentially a far more beautiful, even lyrical version of the old "Where's Waldo?" books.

The fairies leave things lying around in each picture. The job of the reader is to pick them out of the background. Such books do not test the knowledge of the reader, but rather the fullness and keenness of the eye. One must "know" how to see things skillfully.

This is all fine and dandy, but I'd recommend losing yourself in the pictures and words before you go searching for the items. This stuff is just plain eye-popping. Spend some time with it and let your imagination run free.

I give "Fairy Dreams" a high recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!
Review: This book is extraordinarily beautiful. You don't need to read a word; I am talking breathtaking! WOW!

What I like best is the intricacy of it all. One can almost open the book and enter into the magical fairy world. The layout is absolutely perfect from cover to cover. You have got to see this to believe it! Every page is a visual feast for your eyes. You could spend a long time just absorbing the beauty without trying to find the hidden objects in the pictures. Another reviewer was correct about it being similiar to I-Spy books but so much better in my opinion!

There are not only fairies pictured but everything mystical: crystal balls, unicorns, gnomes, dragons, a sorceress, knights in full armor with swords, flying swan-shaped boats, jewels, mermaids, horses, and musical instruments all with lavish backgrounds and framed in edges. I repeat you have got to see this to believe it!

This book should proudly be displayed on a book holder placed on a shelf for you to admire. I have mine in the center of my fairy collection.

Thank you Carol! Your hard, time-consuming work really paid off! You are a true artist!