Stella, Fairy of the Forest

This is nice, certainly, as nice as any other nice book about kids having everyday adventures, but it leans on the jokes a little hard, like with that sitcommy thing where you get a line to recognize that something funny is happening, like Sam is scared of his shadow and you laugh and then Stella goes "SAAAAM!" pointedly and they both look at you and wait for you to laugh again.

These books're very sweet, in a way that isn't too adult-geared to appeal to kids.

In this one, Stella and Sam venture (alone! it's a bit free-range, which may thrill or terrify you) into the woods, with Sam asking lots of cautious questions and Stella offering confident - if somewhat inaccurate - answers. But even in their inaccuracies they're good answers.

Reaction: My four year old son and two year old daughter are constantly asking big questions about the world such as the ones Sam poses: “Do butterflies eat butter?” Reading and viewing this whimsical book allows me to dig deeper into my own children’s innocent world. Gay’s paintings are full of movement and vitality, a real pleasure to all the senses.

Marie-Louise Gay’s books about Sam and Stella are marvelous. This, their third adventure, begins when Sam asks Stella about fairies. Stella knows just where to find some. She leads Sam through meadows, across a stream and into a magical forest.

This story is truly lovely especially in its treatment of the siblings’ relationship. Ms. Gay’s illustrations have a special quality particularly her depictions of the delightful red-head, Stella. Don’t miss it!

On our list of Wonderful Canadian Picture Books
http://goo.gl/bxDAro

A beautiful book in which Stella and her younger brother Sam explore the natural world in autumn, and cross a stream to enter the woods. As usual Sam is full of questions and worries, and Stella has an answer for everything. Charming and whimsical, worth reading many times over for the pictures and the story of young children discovering the world. A terrific series - highly recommended.

I agree with the other reviewers. These children are lucky to be adventuring into the forest alone. Stella is a smart, brave, confident big sister, and Sam is lucky to have her as he learns to be more than just a shy tag-along. Personally, I wasn't thrilled by the art, but it's bright, cheerful, and appropriate so it's fine.

If I actually had children with whom to share picture books, I'd order the others from ILL, but this is the only my local library had, so ok.