"Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" by Gail Carson Levine

"Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" is the first of two books by Gail Carson Levine that are sanctioned by Disney. Well, at least I only know of two books and I didn't see anything on-line about a third, it's always a possibility! I actually read the second book, "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Wand," first and you can see my review of it here.


 
In "Fairy Dust" you will see some characters that are very likely familiar, and many more that are brand new. It takes place in the beloved Never land, that place where children never grow old, and one of the fairies we get to watch is Tinkerbell herself! She's not the main character in this story though, no, that distinction goes to a fairy named Prilla.


 
Prilla is a brand new fairy. Fairies are born when children laugh their first laugh, and after baby Sarah laughs, Prilla finds herself in Neverland. Now traditionally when a new fairy arrives they immediately discover what their talent is. All fairies have a talent. Some with animals, some with baking bread, some with healing, and the list goes on and on. The only problem is that Prilla doesn't know her talent, and despite everyone's best efforts, can't seem to discover it!


 
Then tragedy strikes Neverland. The first hurricane in memory strikes the Island, hurting Mother Dove and damaging her egg. Mother's Dove magic, imbued in the Egg, is what makes Neverland what it is. As soon as the egg shatters people begin to grow older, and the land begins to change.


 
Fortunately there is hope. There is a dragon locked up in Neverland who's fire-breath should be able to restore the egg. In order to get him to cooperate they are going to need to bribe him, so three fairies are chosen to go get the items, and then try and get the dragon to restore the egg. Prilla is one of those fairies and all along the way she keeps wondering "maybe my talent is this..." Don't worry though my friends! By the end of the book you'll discover what her talent is!


 
This would be a great book to read chapter by chapter to your children at bed time. I enjoyed it as an adult, and it's full of beautiful imagery that your children will love.

Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand by Gail Carson Levine

Illustrated by David Christiana

"Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand," is a bit different from Gail Carson Levine's other works. It's still a fantastic story, and it still full of magic, but this particular story has been authorized by Disney, and has a character that we all know and love, Tinker Bell. We also see Peter Pan appear, and of course Neverland itself.

Our story starts because Rani, a fairy who was not blessed with wings at birth, had promised Soop, a mermaid, a fairy wand in exchange for a magical item that was needed to save a life. The only problem is that the fairies of Neverland are not wand fairies, and to fulfill her promise Rani would have to travel to the land of the Great Wandies to ask for a wand. This is something Mother Dove will not allow her to do.

Soop reacts in anger instead of understanding when Rani tries to explain that she is being prevented from fulfilling her promise. In fact she decides to curse Fairy Haven with a flood that will surely drown all the fairies, and her great wrath she will not listen to a word Rani has to say. Desperate, Rani hurries back to the Fairy Haven and reports her dreadful news.

Reluctantly Mother Dove is forced to allow an expedition to the Great Wandies, for there is no other way to save their home. She worries about her fairies though, she knows that wand madness is a dreadful thing, and she fears what it will do to the travelers. Tinker Bell is among those travelers, and all of them think they are above the wand madness that Mother Dove warns of.

Wand Madness is an insidious thing however. Think on it, if you had the power to change whatever you wanted, wouldn't you be tempted? The only problem is that our wishes can often have unforeseen consequences, as our fairies quickly learn. The pages of this book are filled with beautiful illustrations as we watch our fairies learn about wands, wand madness, and how to come together to save the land they love.