Isabella's Secret

by Jane Tanner

Isabella trembled with excitement. She had always looked for fairies in the garden, and here they were!In her delightful picture book, Jane Tanner celebrates every child's need for time alone, time to enjoy nature and time to dream.'This is a glorious picture book... with stunning, realistic artwork.' Herald Sun

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jane Tanner completed an Associate Diploma of Fine Art in Printmaking and Painting and a Diploma of Education. She taught for several years in Victorian secondary schools before taking up full-time illustrating in 1984.

She is the acclaimed illustrator of the best-selling picture books There's a Sea in my Bedroom, Drac and the Gremlin, The Wolf, The Fisherman and the Theefyspray and Lucy's Cat and the Rainbow Birds. She is the author and illustrator of Playmates, Isabella's Secret, Ride with Me, Just Jack, Love from Grandma and Lilly and the Fairy House. She has won or been shortlisted for many prestigious awards, including the CBCA Book of the Year Awards in the categories of Picture Book of the Year, Younger Readers' and Early Childhood.

This much-loved author/illustrator is one of Australia's outstanding picture-book creators.

Reviews

[Lesley Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book, slightly disappointed about the storyline in some ways. Absolutely stunning illustrations which for me almost make the book really! Just a gorgeous, bedtime story you can almost whisper to your child. My toddler really likes this book although I admit it is not one of the ones she would go to choose. I pick it out to read to her. But all in all a lovely book, the illustrations are just divine so snuggled up in bed, this book is lovely. I would recommend as the story is still lovely about a girl who loves things that fly and the fairies make her tiny like them to see their world. I would recommend.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love picture books and doubt I'll ever grow out of the joy of reading them and sharing them with my grandchildren, even though they say they are too old for them, I'm not!

Isabella always believed in fairies and she always had a secret wish.
In her garden under the apple tree, she meets two fairies. They take her to her world, shrinking her down to see everything as they do. The fairies guess her heart's desire and take her flying on butterfly wings above the flowers.

This is a beautiful picture book, written and illustrated by an acclaimed illustrator and writer.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.
About just being, connecting to nature, imagining, playing on your own and maybe a little magic!
There could have been more in the way of discoveries/ adventures/ storyline.
Made me remember Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals a bit, though of course that book is for adults.

[Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is some hardcore fairy stuff. Like going into those trippy fairy stores and there's a million fairy themed nick nacks in every corner. I don't like reading it but the illustrations are actually super gorgeous.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my daughters most treasured books as the story and illustrations bring real delight .
A perfect book for any fairy loving friends . East to read and stunning pictures to enjoy.

[elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my sister, favourite when I was 5 and still beautiful today.