The fourth book in a series portrays the three best friends – Poppy, Rose and Ninad, fairies on their first day at Oakwings Academy, finding that something suspicious happens. Are they going to persuade the adults in the school in their theory?
The fairies face the challenge of their first swimming lesson at the Lily Pad Lake in preparation for the gala, where everyone needs to be split into teams of three, participating in three challenges. The competition would have gone smoothly if Ms Webcap, the Deputy Head of the Academy, had not attended it and disappeared at the most intense moment in the gala. The three friends believe that Ms Webcap, when transformed, is the same fungus fairy who did a curst on all the adult fairies. On top of that, the pond is covered with sticky green algae by Lady Nightshade. Who is she, and why she wants to upset the others? Can Poppy, Rose and Ninad be going to find the right solution to save the little tadpoles from the pond on time?
The fairy fans will not be disappointed and will experience adventures on the way. However, it seems the story is written with the National Curricular in mind, focusing on the technical part of the language – advanced vocabulary where the words ‘fungus’ and ‘algae’ are used, but they appear to be essential for understanding the plot; there are plenty in use of adjectives and adverbs suitable for further activity, but probably they use extensively for reading aloud. The author, who writes under the pen name Olivia Brook, shows an inclusive approach by creating the main fairies’ characters as a white, brown-skinned girl and a white boy, quite an unusual personage in fairy literature. The readers would benefit from the beautiful illustration and the map at the beginning. Even though the book recommendation is for the 5+, it would be more suitable for 7 to 8 years of age for reading aloud or as an independent read in the Year 2 and Year 3, providing manageable text.
Further Information:
If you loved Fairy Forest School Lily Pad Rescue, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
The Stats:
- Title: Fairy Forest School Lily Pad Rescue
- Author and Illustrator: Olivia Brook & Paula Franko
- ISBN: 978 1 40836 676 9
- Publication Date: 2023
- Page Count: 128
- Publisher: Orchard Books
- Recommended age: 6-8
- Categories/Topic: Fairies
Where to Find it:
