Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale [Hardcover]

Rosanne Cash (Author), G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Tall as an eyelash,
quick as a plane
was the tiniest fairy,
Penelope Jane.

Penelope Jane de la Fesser, a flying French fairy, is just the perfect size to live in the right-hand dresser drawer of her very best friend, five-year-old Carrie. When this eyelash-fall fairy decides one day to go to school with Carrie, she doesn't let her tiny size stand in the way of getting into some really big trouble! But when the whole school is suddenly in danger, Penelope Jane musters a lion's share of courage in order to save the day.

This deluxe book-and-CD package features the original song "How to Be Strong," written and performed by Grammy Award-winning singer Rosanne Cash. Quirky, energetic illustrations by award-winning artist G. Brian Karas bring to life the mountains of fun packed info this story about the smallest of heroines.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Penelope Jane, an eyelash-high French fairy, promises to act "perfectement" if only she can accompany her best friend, Carrie, to school. But Penelope's behavior is far from perfect: she logrolls the chalk, falls in the glue, and gets stuck in a sandwich, covered with mustard. Finally, the teacher sends the boisterous sprite to a corner, while all the other children file out for lunch. Chagrined, Penelope Jane sits quietly, until... Oh no! Fire in the trash can! Poor P.J. is too light to pull the alarm bell. Is the classroom doomed to burn? Not if this feisty fairy has anything to say about it!

Penelope Jane's quick wits and very human (even for a fairy) flaws make her a terrific--albeit tiny--role model. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, she remembers a song her mother sings, called "How to Be Strong," and, buoyed by this esteem booster, she manages to save the day. In her first children's book, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has produced a lively, likable heroine and a thoroughly satisfying fairy's tale, complete with lyrics and music. G. Brian Karas's fluttery fairy wing illustrations and mounds of crusty fairy-baked croissants ("Seven croissants / was their favorite treat") are a perfect foil for Cash's droll rhyming text. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Karas's (Home on the Bayou) animated illustrations save the day for Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Cash's first children's book, told in unaccomplished rhyming text. Penelope Jane is a tiny French fairy ("Tall as an eyelash/ quick as a plane") who lives with her fairy mom in five-year-old Carrie's top dresser drawer. Tired of studying fairy rules at her own tiny school, Penelope Jane decides to stow away on Carrie's shoulder and explore human-size academia. A string of classroom mishaps earns Penelope Jane time in the corner, feeling horribly out of place. But before things get too sad, Penelope Jane turns into a hero. Inspired by Cash's song "How to Be Strong" (attributed in the story to Penelope Jane's mother), the little fairy's confidence and quick thinking help prevent a fire emergency. The text sometimes stumbles to accommodate the rhyming couplet format, and the language lacks luster ("Our wild little fairy felt sorry and sad./ She slunk to the corner; she knew she'd been bad"). Fortunately, Karas's childlike gouache-and-pencil scenes add some oomph. His views of tiny flitting fairies sitting at their acorn desks, Carrie's frazzled teacher and the bemused classroom pet Mr. Turtle emphasize motion and just a little mischief. A CD recording of "How to Be Strong" is included. Ages 4-8. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006027543X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060275433
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rosanne Cash's fourteen albums have charted eleven number-one singles. She is the author of Bodies of Water and the children's book Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale. Her essays and fiction have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and New York magazine. She lives in New York City with her husband, John Leventhal, and her children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Endearing Life Lesson for Children, November 5, 2000

By 

Bobby Howeth (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale (Hardcover)

Penelope Jane is an inspiring heroine for the little ones. This `eyelash high' fairy embodies the humanistic qualities we all hope to instill in our children; fearlessness, confidence, enthusiasm, curiosity, and loyalty. Her zest for life and sense of adventure are the catalysts for the story. It is not until she ventures into the `human world' that she falters. However, empowered with an inner strength nurtured by her mother, she's not down for long. P.J. bounces back in a BIG way to take charge of the situation and as a result, saves the day.

The story reminds kids of their importance, to be their own person and to think for themselves. Though small in size, they're capable of monumental achievements.

This book is a complete package. The story unique and the narrative delightful with a wry comical undertone, and a lyrical sense to its rhyming scheme. The colorful illustrations visually support the story with their whimsical sensibility. The cd single included, `How to be Strong', is an inviting ode that once again repeats the theme of a child's validity in the face of life's many challenges.

Penelope Jane will quickly become a favorite before bedtime, but more importantly, in adulthood, will be spoken of and remembered. The resonance of the story and the childhood memories will undoubtedly create a link between them and their children, and their grandchildren, and their great grand children...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The CD will bring tears to your eyes, March 5, 2001

By 

Leah M. Brown "Leah Marie Brown, Author" (Mentally in Paris, France) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale (Hardcover)

I was wandering through a bookstore with my daughter, waiting for the mall to open, when I saw this book on the shelf. My two-year-old thought the little fairy was cute, so I grabbed it to keep her busy. We sat and I read the book to her. I made it to the third page and was utterly hooked. I bought it and then later popped the CD that came with the book in the Stereo. What a beautiful song. I cried when I heard it .... touching...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale, May 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale (Hardcover)

This is one of the greatest children stories I have read in a long time. It has adventure, and even boosts a childs or anyone's self-esteem. Penelope Jane is a little fairy that only wishes to spend the day with her best friend at school. But if only Penelope's behavior was perfect. She manages to find herself in trouble most of the time. First she logrolls the chalk, falls in the glue, and gets stuck in a sandwich, which is covered in mustard. Could there be any more problems for Penelope? Of course! All the kids are going to lunch, and she suddenly see's that the trash can is on fire, what does she do? It's too late to pull the fire alarm, and she can't let the classroom burn. Finally the little fairy gets enough courage to save the day, by remembering a little esteem-booster song her mother use to sing to her. This book would be a excellent choice to get for your little one's. I think they will enjoy it.