Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg (Hardcover)

by Gail Carson Levine (Author), David Christiana (Illustrator) "Clumsy child stops believing in fairies, a Never fairy dies unless enough Clumsy children clap to show that they believe..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mother Dove, Never Land, Home Tree (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Seasoned fractured fairy tale teller Gail Carson Levine provides the captivating back story of Tinker Bell and Co. in this lavishly illustrated addition to the Neverland canon. Freckled and eager to please, Prilla is a brand new fairy, born of a baby's laugh. Upon her arrival to Neverland, she is dismayed to discover she has no talent for any of the fairy avocations. Tinker Bell (a pots-and-pans-talent fairy) takes Prilla to see Mother Dove, whose single blue egg holds the secret of the island's eternal youth. But before the wise bird can advise Prilla, Neverland is shaken by a terrible hurricane. Mother Dove is thrown off her nest, and the precious egg is shattered. Immediately, Neverland folk begin to age.

The island's only hope is for some brave fairies to take the egg pieces to Kyto the dragon and ask him to restore it with his fiery breath. But first, the fairies must collect treasures with which to bribe the evil dragon. Mother Dove chooses Prilla to be part of the fairy team to undertake the quest for the egg. Can one little no-talent fairy help save Neverland from certain doom? While Fairy Dust is unabashedly based on Disney's Peter Pan, Levine's companion version feels wonderfully fresh and original. The charming maxims of Levine's fairy world (fairies say "Fly with you," instead of "Pleased to meet you," and need dust made from Mother Dove's feathers to fly) along with David Christiana's sumptuous illustrations breathe new life into a beloved classic. --Jennifer Hubert

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4–Unbeknownst to many, the fairies of Never Land have an intricate community in which everyone is useful to society. And, sadly, the newest arrival, Prilla, just doesn't fit in, for she appears without knowing what her particular talent is. Is she a tinker who likes to fix pots and pans like Tinker Bell? Or should she play with water like sweet Ree? Prilla's problems quickly become moot when the source of all magic on Never Land, a mysterious egg belonging to motherly Mama Dove, is destroyed in a vicious hurricane. Now Prilla and two other fairies must embark on a quest to save the egg and, with it, Never Land's secret of youth before it is too late. This book isn't going to bowl anyone over with its originality, and Levine isn't afraid to employ a little deus ex machina when the fancy strikes her, but overall it's an engaging tale. The story is exciting, the characters accessible if stock, and Christiana's lush, full-color illustrations breathtaking. Children already enamored of the Disney Princess line will be clamoring for it.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Disney Press (August 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786834919
• ISBN-13: 978-0786834914
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter the Mystical Realm of Never Land, September 1, 2005

By	Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When a baby giggles, the giggle finds its way to Never Land, and a new fairy is born. This is how Prilla, the newest fairy, arrives in Never Land. However, Never Land is unsure as to whether or not she should be permitted entrance to Fairy Land. After all, she's one very peculiar fairy. For instance, unlike other Never fairies, Prilla greets her newfound friends with a handshake, and the words "Pleased to meet you," as opposed to saying "Fly with you." As if that weren't bad enough, she refers to Tinker Bell - a pots and pans fairy, and the star fairy of J.M. Barrie's classic PETER PAN - as Miss Bell. Let's face it, Prilla acts much more like a Clumsy - a human being - than an ethereal fairy; and to make matters worse, she has no talent. But Mother Dove, the God-like creature of Never Land has faith in Prilla, and thinks that she does have a talent, she simply hasn't found it yet. So when Mother Dove's egg is lost in a huge storm, Prilla, along with two fellow fairies, Rani and Vidia, set out on a quest that will lead them past mermaids, a golden hawk, an evil dragon, and Captain Hook, and test the fate of Never Land.

I have been a fan of Gail Carson Levine since I read ELLA ENCHANTED, so when I heard that FAIRY DUST AND THE QUEST FOR THE EGG was being released, I knew that I just had to have it. After all, Tinkerbell - one of my favorite Disney characters - was going to have a large part in the story. Upon purchasing the book, my attention was captured by the marvelous story Levine had woven. However, the illustrations by David Christiana made my jaw drop in awe. Even if you are not a fan of Gail Carson Levine or fairy stories, this is a book that everyone should own for the art alone. Christiana has an unbelievable amount of talent, and truly brings the story to life with his gorgeous illustrations. Together, he and Levine have created a wonderful book that will go down in history for its imagination and illustration. A must have book in everyone's home library.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Array of Art and Storytelling . . . , September 1, 2005

By	Maelan_of_Numina - See all my reviews

Being a huge fan of both Disney's Tinkerbell and the incredibly talented Gail Carson Levine, I was very excited to find this book. Ms. Levine has an uncanny knack for keeping readers involved with the story, about a new fairy to Neverland who feels out of place because she can't find her own talent. I thought it witty that Tinkerbell's talent was to fix pots and pans (thus for the first part of her name "Tinker"). The illustrations are done in watercolor - gorgeously portraying Neverland and it's inhabitants as the adventure goes along.
Overall, I would absolutely encourage everyone who loves imagination to purchase this book, whether they are Disney or Ms. Levine's fans or not.
Simply Stunning!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, September 24, 2005

A Kid's Review

I just finished this book a few minutes ago. It is my favorite book by her. I am in 4th grade and I just love this book. It has a lot of adventure and it is about Prilla the fairy finding her talent. If you like her other books you will love this one! Please try this book and if you do, you will love it!