The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!

March 12, 2012
Fairy princess Geraldine is back, pink wings and all, for her third outing, and when she’s asked to be a flower girl in her aunt’s wedding, she’s eager to share her expertise: “I can put my royal stamp on everything and make sure there’s plenty of sparkle.” The ceremony is more of a low-key affair than Geraldine expects, and the threat of rain provides the story’s only real moment of tension. But Geraldine’s confidence and boisterous enthusiasm remain a winning combination (“Any fairy princess knows that exploding birds can ruin a wedding,” she says, explaining the family’s choice to use birdseed instead of rice), and Davenier’s wonderfully airy illustrations underscore Geraldine’s belief in her own magic. Ages 3–6.

March 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-When Geraldine is asked to be a flower girl at her aunt's wedding, the very fairy princess couldn't be more excited. She is ready to add her sparkly touch to every part of the event, including the decorations, the signage, the cake, the rice, her dress, and the walk down the aisle. Not everything goes her way, but "Even a fairy princess has to learn the art of compromise." Tragedy strikes in the form of rain on the big day, but by ceremony time the sun has returned, and Geraldine realizes that love is the right kind of sparkle to make a perfect day. Andrews and Hamilton's chatty text fully embodies Geraldine and her fairy princess ways. As in the two previous books, Davenier's ink and colored pencil illustrations get the people, hues, expressions, and backgrounds just right. This book will be highly anticipated by very fairy princess fans, but reading the previous titles is not necessary to enjoy it.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
The very fairy princess returns as a flower girl in her aunt's wedding, and her family has to keep her from going over the top (e.g., leaping down the aisle). Geraldine is discouraged when it literally rains on her parade, but a neat resolution restores her sparkle. The story is too familiar, but Davenier's ink and colored-pencil drawings add pizzazz.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)