A Fairy Went A-Marketing! We are totally in love with this beautiful picture book originally composed by Ruth Fyleman and illustrated by Jamichael Henterly. I discovered this little gem about 10 years ago when Violet was just a wee one and I was selling early childhood development toys. There were many books re-printed by the company and this one has proved to be such a lovely little treasure. The illustrations are heavenly and a little bit like a "hidden pictures" format, there is something new to find in each picture each time the book is read. Cover insert: A kindly fairy uses her puchases only for a short time, then releases them for their own good or the good of others. Fyleman, Rose (1877-1957). The text is just delicious!
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a little fish; She put it in a crystal bowl upon a silver dish. An hour she sat in wonderment and watched its silver gleam, And then she gently took it up and slipped it in a stream.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a colored bird; It sang the sweetest, shrillest song that ever she had heard. She sat besides its painted cage and listened half the day, And then she opened wide the door and let it fly away.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a winter gown, All stitched about with gossamer and lined with thistledown. She wore it all the afternoon with prancing and delight, Then gave it to a little frog to keep him warm at night.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a gentle mouse, To take her tiny messages, to keep her tiny house. All day she kept its bust feet pit-patting to and fro, And then she kissed its silken ears, thanked it, and let it go.
"Henterly adds elaborate pictures to this simple verse taken from Fairies and Chimneys by the late Fyleman. The artist has created a fairy-world of beauty with animals, plants, reptiles and small details making each double-page spread a breathtaking scene. The fairy-girl goes to market four times; whatever she buys fish, bird, gown or mouse, she sets free or gives away. Henterly's luminous drawings reveal an eye for the many fleeting details of nature; the curve of a squirrel's tail, the peeling bark of a birch tree." (Publisher's Weekly)
There are a few used copies at amazon.com that are well worth the under $25 price for a beautiful timeless treasure! I think it would make a wonderful copywork piece for an older child to illustrate and add their own "fairy magic" to the text!
Tags: Books, children's books , Kidlit , Poetry
Meredith, we LOVE this book too. Last year I read it aloud to children at a May Day celebration and they were *transfixed* (by the book, not by me LOL)!
Posted by: Dawn | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 03:53 PM
That is so sweet! Is the text you quoted the entire text of the book? I would love for the dc to do some copywork from this, but can't afford it right now (dh says I've been banished from Amazon for awhile).
Posted by: Theresa | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 08:59 PM
THeresa, thank you so much and Yes, that is the full text of the book. I'm trying to find a copy of the Fairies and Chimneys to search inside the book, but to no avail yet. My dh and yours must know each other, LOL!
Posted by: Meredith | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 09:30 AM
Oh, Meredith, thanks for the tip. Looks like our kind of book. : ) Oh, happy day.
I see that Amazon has the paperback at $5.99 brand new. I've put it on my wishlist. : )
Posted by: Cay in La. | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Even sweeter, my library has a copy!!! : )
Posted by: Cay in La. | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 10:47 AM
This does look like a gem. Thanks again for another wonderful recommendation!
Posted by: Karen E. | Friday, April 14, 2006 at 11:44 AM
I just put my library's copy on hold. I am so excited! My kids LOVE fairies (even the boys). Thanks so much!
Posted by: MichelleW | Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 04:58 PM
What a sweet book! Thanks for the recommendation, Meredith.
Posted by: Rebecca | Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 06:37 PM