A review by elevetha
A Natural History of Fairies by Emily Hawkins

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

 *A copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

If the illustrations had been just a bit better in regard to the fairies' faces, this would easily be 4 stars. As it was, they could look a little ugly and I don't think they were meant to be. I also got this from my local library and the physical copy is where it's at - it's a lovely book, gilt edges to the papers, and the colors and lay-out of the individual pages are quite pleasing.

Not that it means anything, but I was surprised that in Hawkin's version, fairies lay eggs. It was an interesting concept, especially the flutterpillar, cocoon, and moppet stages of life, but I don't know that I like it.

Similar in vein as Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal, though this is not meant as a child's journal but an actual informational history, listing fairies by location mostly and gives plenty of "facts" about individual fairy species and their habitats, distinctive features and habits. I am partial to CMB's portrayal of fairies insofar as art goes, but this had a lot more thought put into the writing aspect of it.