In a green forest, where cut-paper leaves dangle from brownish green trunks, fairies proliferate. They are all different kinds of animals, rabbits, mice, birds, and zip around in earth-colored tutus with pointed hats on their heads. They have many different special abilities. Except Mister Fairy. Mister Fairy is a sour-looking elephant in a green dress and green hat and he doesn’t seem to have any special abilities at all. When he tries, things go wrong, and after turning all the leaves on the trees to “pink fluff” he flies away.
When Mister Fairy arrives in a strange, grey, and lifeless forest, he sees that everyone is sad, just like him, and he does his best to cheer people up. To his surprise, he succeeds, turning the city into a colorful and cheerful place. But when Mister Fairy goes back to his forest home, he discovers that his special abilities are indeed needed, because only Mister Fairy can make the forest colorful and his friends happy.
This is a little wordy for a read-aloud and the ending is somewhat abrupt. It’s hard to believe that Mister Fairy was unconsciously bringing color and smiles to all the forest, when he had to consciously make an effort to change the city. I admit that my first thought was that he had taken all the colors and laughter from the forest to put in the city!
However, teachers looking for a story about how each person has a contribution will appreciate this and kids who appreciate Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett’s work will find this humorous. It doesn’t appeal to me personally, but it’s definitely something a little different.
Verdict: Depending on your audience and collection this may be an additional purchase. It will appeal most to older children.
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