The Very Fairy Princess [Hardcover]

Julie Andrews (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author), Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

While her friends and family may not believe in fairies, Geraldine knows, deep down, that she is a VERY fairy princess. From morning to night, Gerry does everything that fairy princesses do: she dresses in her royal attire, practices her flying skills, and she is always on the lookout for problems to solve. But it isn't all twirls and tiaras - as every fairy princess knows, dirty fingernails and scabby knees are just the price you pay for a perfect day!

This new picture book addition to the Julie Andrews Collection features the joyful illustrations of Christine Davenier, and is sure to inspire that sparkly feeling within the hearts of readers young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—As any library staff member will tell you, there can never be too many princess stories. While this collaboration between Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Hamilton, does not stand out as anything particularly different, it does have enough sparkle to keep young readers interested. Geraldine leads a rather ordinary life, and each page highlights a part of her mundane day. However, in the grand tradition of other literary, bedazzled mini-divas, Geraldine's imagination and love for the color pink brighten the daily grind of being a scab-kneed little girl. Readers will enjoy Geraldine's princess attitude and the vibrant fantasy brought to life through Davenier's ink and colored pencil illustrations. However, for girly girl stories with a bit more attitude, stick with reigning princesses Eloise, Fancy Nancy, and Olivia.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

A girl who believes she is really a princess isn't a new premise in children's literature, so it's refreshing to find a very real little girl as our protagonist, especially given a title that evokes an expectation of a more traditionally froufrou young royal. Geraldine (Gerry) just knows she is a princess and narrates the events of her day, offering commentary about her many doubters: “My brother, Stewart, says princesses don't wear sneakers and don't have scabby knees.” Gerry's type of princess isn't too precious; in response to her brother, she asserts, “Fairy princesses are very practical.” A long day passes—breakfast, school, playtime, and dinner—before the one person who never doubts her comes home: Daddy. Freckled, spiky haired, pink clad, and irrepressible, Geraldine is reminiscent of Eloise. She lets kids know it's not necessary to be prim and proper to be a “real” princess; princesses who just want to have fun will find plenty of that here. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Diane Foote

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (May 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316040509
• ISBN-13: 978-0316040501
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book with a Strong Message, May 28, 2010

By 

Patricia Tilton (Dayton, OH, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Very Fairy Princess (Hardcover)

"The Very Fairy Princess" is a charming and witty story about young Geraldine, who believes with her entire being that she is a fairy princess -- even when others do not. She believes because she feels it inside. Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton have written a brilliant story with a very strong message and creative language every little girl will remember and want to use. The book is beautifully illustrated.

I know after reading this book to my granddaughter, she was showing us her "sparkle." It also gave us the opportunity to encourage her to find the sparkle in her mommy, daddy, grandma and grandpa. It's challenging to find the right words to use when talking with young children about inner belief, courage and self-esteem. It is remarkable how just one special word, "sparkle" can convey so much to a young child. This book is a keeper with our princess! I highly recommend it for all little princesses 4-8 yrs of age.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let your SPARKLE out!, May 28, 2010

By 

Meadowlarksong - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Very Fairy Princess (Hardcover)

Julie and Emma have done it again. This is a delightful book for real-life fairy princesses, the kind who get skinned knees and have dirt under their fingernails, while at the same time delighting in flights of fancy, pretty dresses, and gossamer wings.

The child I am still (at heart) loved the book -- the adult I am (on the outside at least) relished the urging to "let my SPARKLE out!"

It's a wonderful book to read with your own Very Fairy Princess -- and then see how many ways both of you can SPARKLE throughout your day.

This is definitely going on my list of "good books to give as gifts"! Thanks, Julie and Emma!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful children's book!, June 1, 2010

By 

S. Griffith (Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Very Fairy Princess (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma and bought three copies: two as gifts for little girls who I know will adore it, being that they, too, think they are fairy princesses... and one for myself! The message underlying the story is a good one, and children (as well as the adults reading to them) can all come away from the reading with a warm feeling in their hearts!