The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart
Authors: Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Publisher: New York: Little, Brown, 2013
Genre: Picture book, fiction
Audience Age: 3 to 8 years
Themes/topics: Valentine’s Day, making valentines, creativity, coping when something goes wrong, showing appreciation for people, celebrating individuality.
Opening Sentences: Hi! It’s me, Gerry, the very fairy princess. Not everyone believes that I’m a fairy princess, but the sparkle I feel inside tells me that it’s TRUE. One of my FAVORITE days is coming up — Valentine’s Day! Fairy princesses are at their sparkly best making people smile, and what better way to do that than with a FABULOUS homemade card?
Synopsis: It’s nearly time for the pinkest, sparkliest holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day! Gerry, the very fairy princess, makes valentines for everyone in her classroom. She uses more glitter, sparkly jewels, feathers and other creative things than anyone can imagine, making a valentine that is perfect for each person – even for Connor, who “likes bugs and pulls my hair in class.” Putting all the cards in a folder to keep them safe turns out to be a bad plan, though. When Gerry gets to school and opens the folder, she has Daddy’s work papers instead! What will she do? (Fairy princesses are very resourceful, but this is a real calamity!)
Activities/Resources: Making handmade valentines is the perfect activity to go with this book, especially if they are custom-designed to celebrate each friend’s “inner sparkle.” The more glitter and embellishments, the better!
An activity I have suggested to go with other books in this series, and it would work very well with this one as well, is to play an “I appreciate you because…” game, in which each child tells the others something special about each of them.
Princesses are always worth celebrating, especially on Valentine’s Day, and there is an impressive list of real-life princesses on the Very Fairy Princess website.
Besides being Valentine’s Day, February 14th is also International Book Giving Day. The website of this book-giving outreach has suggestions for adding books to a Valentine’s Day celebration. Books (including The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart) are great gifts for Valentine’s Day, especially when they encourage kids to celebrate their own individuality.
For an interview with Geraldine the Very Fairy Princess herself, read this post on my blog!
Availability: 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 believe that this book if my favorite so far in the series. Pardon the pun, but it really shows Gerry’s heart and her passion for giving to others. I don’t want to give away the ending, but this one really touched me. We can tell Gerry is maturing. Brilliant story with a more than satisfying ending! Hope it spends a few weeks on the NYT bestseller’s list.
I thought it was lovely, too. I have a hard time choosing a favorite, though!
Nods to the very talented mother-daughter duo for another winner.
They certainly have a knack for picture books! (I just wish they’d write a few more middle grade novels — I love their mg novels, too!)
I love a fun Valentine book! Good choice, Beth.
Thanks, Genevieve!
I love seeing a picture book series and growth of a character. Gerry is a very real, lovable protagonist, and, like Pat, this one is very satisfying.
Gerry is a delight. I hope the series is long-lived!
Oh NO! What is Daddy going to do at work??? I must read this. I downloaded the first sparkly book on my kindle. It is now requested each time I see the grandgirls.
Oh, you’ll love this one, and so will the grandgirls, I can guarantee it!
Sounds like another winner from Julie and Emma, Beth! I’m pretty interested to find out how Gerry solves her problem! And I’m all for sparkle 🙂 YOur activity brought back the by-gone days of making Valentines cards with my kids… boy does glitter get everywhere and boy is it hard to clean up… but so much fun! 🙂
I’m rather grateful that my valentine-making days pre-dated glitter! Much less messy with just construction paper, crayons and glue, if not nearly as SPARKLY! You must read this — the way Gerry solves her problem is wonderful (fairy princesses are very clever).
Hi Beth-
I’ve been wanting to introduce my daughter to The Very Fairy Princess series, and this looks like a good place to start! Thanks!
Thanks, Katie! I’m sure your daughter will enjoy this one!
Ooh I haven’t read this one yet, how adorable! Thanks, Beth.
Thanks, Catherine. This was just released on January 1, so it’s brand new. I’m sure you’ll like it!
Geraldine the Fairy Princess is such a charmer! Thanks, Beth!
She is, indeed! Thanks, Amy!
This sounds so fun, Beth! I haven’t seen this one yet — I’m sure my daughter would love it.
I’m sure she would, too, Carrie. It’s only been out since the beginning of January, which is likely why you haven’t seen it yet.
I haven’t read this one yet – thanks for the hearty review! lol
LOL Yes, I definitely put my heart into this one! Hope you find and enjoy the book!
We love making homemade Valentine’s. And glitter glue is pretty popular around here, believe it or not.
Glitter glue sounds like fun! And boys can sparkle, too!
mmm… with each book it’s getting hard to pick a favourite. I just love them all. 🙂
That’s how I feel, too, Diane.
I read one of them, so now I’m hooked. I must find a way to get this one! 😀
Delighted to hear you’re hooked on them, Erik! 🙂
I really like the link to the real life princesses – beautiful women who are kind, compassionate, work hard and often change the world. Something some of our princess-infatuated girls could look to.
Yes, that’s something Julie and Emma stress about princesses, is how hard-working and caring the real ones are.
We don’t have a princess, but I’m sure my little prince will be doing Valentine’s cards. This looks like a fun one.
[…] Beth Stilborn of the By Word of Beth blog already nominated this next book as a Perfect Picture Book,so that’s why I am not. To read Ms. Stilborn’s PPB review of this book, click HERE! […]