A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale

Rating:
Summary: Definitely a Keeper!
Review: A collaboration between famous doll-maker Wendy Froud and award-winning author/editor Terri Windling - could you ever ask for a better team? In this beautifully created book the two present the story of the faery Sneezle - small, helpless and over-looked, who is desparate to make a difference on this particular Midsummer Night, the night where all manner of faery creatures join to together in celebrations unknown to Sneezle - he's always sleeped through them! He is determined though that tonight will be different, and immediately goes out in search of something to do to help, though often his attempts cause more harm than good. Finally though he is given a task by Lord Oberon himself, a task so important however that Sneezle doubts his chances to successfully achieve it. With Queen Titania under a strange spell of sleep, Oberon orders Sneezle to fetch her crown from the Heart of the Wood - but a beautiful-yet-dangerous enchantress is out to fetch the crown also, to become Oberon's new queen.

If there is something wrong with this book, it is perhaps that the narrative is too complicated. I get the distinct impression that this book will most likely reach the bookshelves of more adults than children, but nevertheless the story often branches out into several tangents that do not quite flow. Though the story starts with Sneezle's quest to find something useful to do and a few encounters with various faery folk, he soon comes across the sleeping Titania. He then goes in search of Oberon, who sends him off to fetch the crown. Then there is Twig, the young faery who (and this I really disliked) wanted time to perfect her appearance before going on a life-or-death quest to fetch the crown. Then there's the matter of the sword and Titania's missing and transformed handmaidens, and of Rianna's several appearances and her adjenda that conflicts with Sneezle's own. Perhaps the intricate, many stranded plot was what Windling was going for, but it doesn't quite come across as the simple 'faery tale' that is in the title of the book. I'm not saying that Windling should have made a simple story line that only children would have found enjoyable, nor that I particulary disliked it - just that a few creases in the structure could have been ironed out to make it a more fluid storytelling effort, rather than a rushed and jumbled story. On the other hand, the story is charming, not too sugary (like many other 'fairy' tales) and has a good underlining message to just be yourself. This is just a little quibble of mine - nitpicking in the face of an otherwise perfect and beautiful book.

Wendy Froud's exquistie dolls are the real reason for purchasing this book. Whether they are the tiny sylph-like faerys or the larger, more solid, graceful humanoid dolls, the distorted and somewhat macabre gnomes and imps or the merticulously crafted unicorns, each one is unquie, beautiful and inspiring. Each one has its own personality, its own individuality and a beautiful costume. Yet although these dolls are positioned within beautifully created sets of woodland scenery and lighted softly and mysteriously, I would not re-hire the photographer they used as he sometimes shoots the dolls from some rather awkward angles. The most obvious example is that of the faery Rianna in the picture where she is leaning forward, her hand extended. The doll herself is utterly perfect, but the actual photograph is off-centre, so that she is positioned well on the left side of the page and her fingers are almost lost in the binding of the book. I assume this was done to keep all of her wings within the picture, but all that needed to be down was photograph her at a different angle. As it is, the photograph almost appears to be part of a much bigger photo that was roughly chopped to fit into the book. Another example is that of Oberon and Titania on the unicorns at the conclusions of the book - Oberon's black unicorn is not only difficult to see, but again nearly lost in the binding, such is its positioning on the far left side of the page.

Yet again, this is another small flaw and never takes away from the beauty of the dolls and the charm of Windling's intricate story. Make sure you get your hands on the next edition - The Winter's Child, and cross your fingers for a third installment in Sneezle's adventures.

Rating:
Summary: A smashing tale about the magic inherent within everything.
Review: A faery tale that beautifully illustrates how each creature on this planet has their own unique gift to offer even if they don't see it themselves. A story that teaches us to trust in ourselves. A truly unforgettable book that left me savouring both Terri's words and Wendy's art. I am thankful that brought us thier own unique hero, Sneezle, who leaves the door to creativity and faery wide open.

Rating:
Summary: Share this one!
Review: An enchanting tale. The photographs bring the faeries to life, right in your hands. The story stays entertaining from beginning to end, touching upon many traditional aspects of the "Faery Realm," while the adorable and beautiful pictures draw you in. Remarkable.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, positive story for children
Review: An excellent book for children. My daughter loved the heroic faery. The illustrations are first rate. After getting this book for my little girl, I tried out Terri Windling's "The Wood Wife" which is written for more adult readers. I am glad I stumbled onto Ms. Windling's work. Both books were excellent. She is a very good story teller.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, positive story for children
Review: An excellent book for children. My daughter loved the heroic faery. The illustrations are first rate. After getting this book for my little girl, I tried out Terri Windling's "The Wood Wife" which is written for more adult readers. I am glad I stumbled onto Ms. Windling's work. Both books were excellent. She is a very good story teller.

Rating:
Summary: May be Midsummer, but it's top of the list!
Review: By Terri Windling, author of "The Wood Wife," a winner of the Mythopoeic Award, and Brian and Wendy Froud, the husband and wife team who helped bring "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth" to life, we are blessed with the light and laughter of the faeries of the Old Oak Wood. Giving us a glimpse at the lives and liberties of the faerie kingdom and it's citizens, they have transported, not the faeries to our world, but the reader to theirs. Using photographs instead of drawings or paintings, the images seem more like a glimpse out the window than art on a flat page. Terri's story, a classic hero's journey with a rather unclassic hero, captivates the heart and imagination, convincing even the smallest of the wee ones that anything is possible. Truly, this team, whom I hope to see collaborate again, has brought us that bit of magic we all need.

KerrieColantonio, Penny-A-Page Publishing

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely beautiful.
Review: I love story books, in part for their often lovely illustrations...but this book took it to a new level. Ms. Froud's dolls are fantastic, and make you believe in faeries (if you don't already). Amazing. Even if the story were mediocre, this book would be worth buying to examine the faeries. It's a double treat because the story is just as good, and more substantial and lengthy than your standard modern story book. If you love faeries, fantasy, dolls, inspirational stories about little "ordinary" heroes, or good picture books, you have to add this to your collection.

Rating:
Summary: Looking for photographer
Review: I'm looking for a photographer to work with me on a book on faeries. If you're interested, email me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Magically Amusing!
Review: If you love fairies and a cutestory to go along with it, Ihighly reccommend this charming book! I received itfor Christmas and it was awelcomed surprise!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining fantasy
Review: It is Midsummer's Eve and all the faeries are coming to Old Oak Wood to celebrate the summer solstice. Since this is a time of powerful magic, something dreadful is as likely to occur as well as something wonderful. The fairies have to be on guard at this time. However, unbeknownst to anyone, a traitor to King Oberon and Queen Titania has emerged.

Only one individual needing a lot of luck can possibly save the realm. However, Sneezle is a youngster, being only two centuries old. He has never made it through the festivities without falling asleep. Yet he is the last hope to stop a treacherous act from succeeding.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S FAERY TALE is an entertaining story filled with fabulous illustrations throughout the fantasy. The story line is typical of the genre with a nice but kind of pitiable individual turning into an epic hero. However, Wendy Froud and Terri Windling make it work because Sneezle has a charm that will delight children and adults. Fans of faeries and otherworldly beings will enjoy this rich tapestry as the pictures are filled with elaborate detail, enhancing a fun plot.