I featured this book on my Starborn Revue blog earlier this week, but I thought it deserved a spot on the Perfect Picture Book list as well.
Title: The Very Fairy Princess Sparkles in the Snow
Author: Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Publisher: New York: Little, Brown & Co., 2013
Genre: Picture book, fiction
Audience Age: 4 to 8
Themes/topics: dealing with disappointment, finding creative solutions to problems
Opening Sentences: [This is actually an excerpt from the second page of text.] … we’re having a Winter Wonderland Festival at our school! There will be ice sculptures, arts and crafts, a bake sale, and sleigh rides. Best of all, there’s going to be a concert—and I get to sing with the chorus! (Fairy princesses are at their SPARKLIEST when expressing themselves in song.)
Synopsis: Have you ever wanted something, like a part in a play, or a special solo, but someone else got to do it instead? I have. When I was in sixth grade, our class and the seventh graders did an operetta (like a small musical). I really wanted the lead girl’s part.
I practiced and practiced… but someone else got the part. I can understand now why the other girl got the part, but I can also remember how it felt when I didn’t. So I know how the main character felt in the book I’m going to share with you today.
Gerry, the main character, believes very strongly that she is a fairy princess. A VERY fairy princess. And fairy princesses like to let their sparkliness shine through in whatever they do. In this book, Gerry wants to show her singing sparkle — she wants to sing the solo part in the Winter Wonderland Festival. In fact, she is sure the teacher will choose her.
To make sure he realizes what a wonderful singer she is, she sings at every opportunity when he’s near enough to hear her. BUT he announces that a professional singer is going to come and sing the solo.
Gerry is a very disappointed fairy princess. The night of the concert, however, there’s a big snowstorm. The professional singer is stuck in the snow. And Gerry has forgotten her sparkly shoes – all she has to wear on stage are her snowboots.
Are very fairy princesses resourceful enough to come up with solutions for both those problems? I’m not going to give away the ending, so be sure to find the book in your local bookstore or library and see what happens!
Activities/Resources: A great activity for kids would be for them to have their own Winter Wonderland Festival. A group of friends, a family, or even a school class, could have a festival either just for themselves, or with plans to invite others.
They could have wintry crafts, songs, even make up a skit or play, or act out the book. Here are some winter crafts to get you started:
A website called Danielle’s Place has TONS of snowman and snowflake crafts.
Here are instructions for cutting snowflakes out of paper, the same way as I did when I was a kid. This website is called High Hopes.
Here are instructions for lots of different origami stars from a site called Origami Instructions. Sorry about all the ads on the page!
Most kids already know some winter songs, or Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa songs. Each child who wants to can have a turn singing a verse.
The most important thing is to HAVE FUN!
Availability: This book is readily available in hardcover.
Every Friday, bloggers join together to share picture book reviews and resources, thanks to author Susanna Leonard Hill’s brainchild, “Perfect Picture Book Fridays.” Susanna then adds the books (and links to the reviews) to a comprehensive listing by subject on her blog. Find the entire listing at her “Perfect Picture Books.”
I had to think on this. I’ll have to read the book, but I must admit that I was a little disappointed when I realized the MC would get the part she wanted because of the snow. I was hoping for a sparkly grip or gaffer.
I agree with Wendy, but I’d like to see this one and learn how it unfolds too.
Thanks for sharing this book with us, I have been wondering about it since I saw it was published. I will have to get it, now. 🙂
Oh Beth I can so relate to this. My mum got so fed up of us never getting picked yyear after year that she went to the teacher who was the principal about it. The cheeky guy went and gave me reserve Titania knowing full well the real deal (popular girl) would never be off sick. My sister would have made a great actress and sings beautifully.
Each new sequel becomes my favorite. But, I really do love this story and think that as Gerry grows, the readers grow with her. And, it is a beautiful book to give during the holidays. Lovely review!
Great review! I’ll check it out and see how it all plays out. I myself, have daily disappointments. My buddy Walker and I take turns going to school. I know when it’s Walker’s turn to go, but I hold out the hope that the Mom Person will change her mind and realize that I am the right dog for the job! Sometimes my wish comes true, and sometimes I am left at home alone. Thanks for sharing this story about Gerry, I’ll be looking for it.
What a fun book, Beth . . . and I feel your pain! Hopefully you have had the chance to sing since your incident so many years ago.
YAY! Very Sparkly!
Nice review and I checked out the video you posted. I love looking at crafty things. Must check out the book when I get a chance.
A wonderful choice. I wish I had read it when I got the part of the stepsister instead of Cinderella!
Love this book. I always love a new princess book in my staple of go to gifts. 🙂