Gwynne, Fair & Shining (Gold Ink Award Winner) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Lee Edward Fodi (Illustrator) "The castle was cold..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Who can resist a fairy tale with a happy ending? Let us welcome Gwynne, Fair & Shining by Stephanie Lisa Tara ($16.95, Brown Books Publishing Group, Dallas, TX) and illustrated by Lee Edward Fodi. Gwynne is a little maid in a dark castle who overcomes a nasty old knight to become a beautiful princess, learning in the process that "Whatever you feel is just what you are. You've always been fair, a bright shining star! Whatever you think is what you shall be. So believe you are strong, and then you are free!" The text is delightful verse and the artwork is magical. For someone who sees many such books, I can tell you this one stands out from the crowd." -- Book views, March 2007

"In another pretty selection, Gwynne lives in a castle, toiling sadly every day and night. A magic flute rescues her from the drudgery as the book's rhymes create magic along with the glitter-encrusted illustrations. Good advice for young girls is found during Gwynne's transformation: "Whatever you feel is just what you are,/You've always been fair, a bright shining star!/ Whatever you think is what you shall be,/ So believe you are strong, and then you are free!" -- The Winston-Salem Journal, October 2007, By Monica Young JOURNAL BOOK REVIEWER

Gold Ink Awards -- 2007, wishes to congratulate Stephanie Lisa Tara and Lee Edward Fodi and their publisher, Brown Books Publishing -- on a pewter award for their magical book, Gwynne, Fair and Shining! Gorgeously done book! -- Gold Ink Awards -- 2007

Gwynne Fair & Shining is an upbeat children's picturebook with truly standout illustrations that literally sparkle from the actual glitter from sparkling, golden and reflective material impressed on the page to enhance the cartoony illustrations. The rhyming story tells of a young girl's magical journey and the importance of learning to believe in oneself. Author Stephanie Lisa Tara evokes the power of the fairy tale in this charming read-aloud story especially recommended for young girls. -- Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch, June 2007

Stephanie Lisa Tara's joyful verse will delight readers in her third book, Gwynne Fair & Shining. Poor little Gwynne is the maid of a grumpy old knight who stomps about the castle terrifying her. Then, one night, she hears enchanting music and the voice of her long lost grandmother calling to her to believe in herself once more. Gathering her courage, Gwynne flees the castle and enlists the aid of her animal friends in the nearby woods. With them beside her, Gwynne returns to the castle, faces down the awful knight, and -- with the aid of her fairy godmother and a magic flute -- finds the confidence to become who she always was deep down inside: a fair and shining princess! Lee Edward Födi's illustrations sparkle with gold glitter as they propel readers through this magical, spinning, dancing adventure. Your young readers and listeners will be rooting for Gwynne as she battles belittling bullies and self-doubt to realize her dreams. -- Books of Wonder, New York City; Peter Glassman December 2007

Product Description

Whether it is her precious bedtime tale I'll Follow the Moon or the whimsical Little Library Mouse, Stephanie Lisa Tara's stories are "a winner with children and parents" (Reader Views). Her special charm and "light-as-a-feather rhymes" (Armchair Interview) once again delight and enchant in her third picture book. In Gwynne, Fair & Shining, readers follow young Gwynne on a magical journey and are reminded that being true to one's heart will always lead to the best path. This story of discovery sends an uplifting message to young readers.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933285621
• ISBN-13: 978-1933285627
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,314,595 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All about believing in yourself, January 27, 2007

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Things were not good in the castle. It was cold, dark, dim and grim. It wasn't any better outside either. It was a sad, sad place.

Then Gwynne heard the soft and gentle voice of her grandmother, who had once reigned in a spirit of love. Grandmother's voice was followed by the sound of the magic flute. Gwynne's sad heart began to soar and she started to sing. But the knight discouraged her songs. But the magic took hold of Gwynne and she 'sought her own way.' She began to believe in herself. And that's such a grand thing.

Gwynne Fair & Shining by Stephanie Lisa Tara is a delightful story in rhyme. The message is powerful and encourages children to follow their hearts, their passions and to believe in themselves.

The illustrator, Lee Edward Fodi has created a masterpiece in his twenty-four illustrations. The soft colors draw in the reader. The scenes are whimsical and inviting. And, there are sparkles on all of the pages. Oh, the little ones will love that.

Armchair Interviews says: Gwynne Fair & Shining is a winner. Children will want this read, over and over again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous, recalling a 19th century golden age of children's literature!, May 13, 2007

By	Penelope Sandringham "children's poet" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

The beginning of the golden age in children's literature can be tenaciously placed around the 1860s, when playful/nonsensical verse became infused with "lessons", read aloud as entertainment. These joys of old world story-poem verse, Stephanie Lisa Tara reinvents for us today, recalling a time now passed where tv and movies did not exist and parent and child spent long hours together in connective bonding before fairy tale books. This verse of yore confidently and purposefully sticks its tongue out at grammatical rules and didactic foundations: its structural strictness was often quite replaced by semantic chaos and polysemy. Who hasn't marveled at the genius of Jabberwocky? It is the creative mind that takes such risks, as it ever was and always will be thus. I adored this book, as did my kids, and everyone who has seen it. Such a joy to see a departure from the shock effect choices on the shelves today, and a return to lyrical flow that takes its time with no need to rush, and words that spill off the tongue! Shall we rush through our story times with our kids? If you haven't read Stephanie Tara's other books, make a point of doing so. All ring at the same lovely pitch and all speak to the heart of connecting with children, speaking to them, inspiring them to dream, make new rules, think new ways! A big bravo! And, more, more, please!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming Book, March 21, 2007

By	Gwynne Larabee - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this book!!! It is charming and endearing. Everyone at my house has read it and the youngest is 15 years old. My grandson asks me to read it to him. He is 3. The illustrations are precious. This book will be in our library for years to come.