Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble by Briony May Smith ISBN: 0593650476
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
Tiny Jenny is a wingless fairy born to a family of wrens. She creates some mischief growing up in the forest, and is encouraged by a wise owl to go find the fairies to learn more about herself. She finds the fairies to be bullies, stealing from her friends and wreaking havoc in the woods. Instead of choosing to join the fairies and gain her wings, she stands up to them, daring to eat the mushrooms from their magic circle. With the circle no longer intact, the fairies are forced to leave the forest and Tiny Jenny returns to her family of wrens, and is (almost) never naughty again. The illustrations are lovely, celebrate nature, and are visually captivating. This story has so many lessons or potential parallel experiences (such as bullying, acting out, and feelings related to being adopted). The story is a bit long, and does paint the entirety of the fairy species as being “bad”. Recommended for ages 5-8 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).
Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell