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Airy Fairy #4
Magic Mix Up!
Everybody knows that fairies are charming little creatures, dainty, pretty, and tidy. Not Airy Fairy! Airy Fairy and her school companions are even more mixed up that usual. And as usual, shes responsible for it all. The result is fun and laughter. Spotlight editions are printed on high-quality paper and with reinforced library bindings specifically printed for the library market. Grades 2-4
Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Ryan
166 books7 followersMargaret Ryan is a former teacher who has written over eighty books for children between the ages of five and eleven. She loves to enthuse children about books and won a Scottish Arts Council Award for her book, The Queen's Birthday Hat. She always includes the children in her audience by dressing them up as the characters in her story. She believes that author visits should be fun. She has had children's stories on T.V. and radio, and has also been commissioned to write books for schools, children's poetry, and a series of books for reluctant readers. Her books are translated into many different languages.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 4, 2019
Muito divertido.
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January 26, 2020I want to read it but it will not let me
August 30, 2013
Author: Margaret Ryan
Illustrator: Teresa Murfin
First Published: 2005
Series: Book 4 of 7
tl;dr
I didn't like it.
I will actively discourage my daughter from reading more of the series.
The Review:
Having recently read the The Worst Witch stories, which also have The Perfect Student who insists on giving the protagonist a hard time and The Strict Teacher who won't listen, it is easy to see how the heavy hand of the author creates an uneasy situation and unlikeable characters. Readers don't need morals drummed into them.
And as such I found myself really disliking this book.
The teacher is a bully.
The Evil School Friend is a bully who never feels consequences for her actions.
The Main Character is impotent in the face of the bullying - and no adults are willing to support her.
It makes my skin crawl. There are no solutions provided and no empowerment of the victim.
It's just so very wrong.
Which is a shame because it is well written with a nice premise of orphan fairies with a single bad apple.
It could have been so much better.
A Comparison:
In fact, there are a few similarities between "The Worst Witch All at Sea" and "Airy Fairy: Magic Mix Up!".
1. The slightly bumbling but very popular Main Character. Who has two BFFs to stick up for her.
2. The class heads off for an Imperfect Holiday.
3. Strict teacher.
Worst Witch: To me, she comes off as Strict and Lonely. Miss Hardbroom has moments when she is shown to care, but is unable to express these feelings in the usual day-to-day.
Airy Fairy: She is a bully, and a particularly nasty one. Calls Airy Fairy names and unreasonably punishes her.
4. Teacher's Pet who works to undermine the MC.
Worst Witch: Ethel's machinations are not meant to harm, and Ethel is both punished for them and realises how her actions had consequences. They often backfire resulting in Mildred getting "the prize".
Airy Fairy: Scary Fairy means to harm Airy Fairy. Her actions could have dire consequences and she doesn't care. She receives no punishment as a result. She is actively supported by the teacher Miss Stickler (her aunt).
5. Main character is criticised by external source.
Worst Witch: Mildred is known as a bit of a trouble-maker. While she may be frowned at she is not actively bullied.
Airy Fairy: The neighbouring class call Airy Fairy names (eg idiot), their teacher wants Airy Fairy kept away from her girls, they actively bully her.
Series:
Airy Fairy: Magic Mischief!
Airy Fairy: Magic Muddle!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mess!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mix Up!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mistakes!
Airy Fairy: Magic Music
Airy Fairy's Book Of Magic
Age:
Read aloud: 6+
Read yourself: 8+
References:
W'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret...
(ISBN 9780439963350)
-CR-
Illustrator: Teresa Murfin
First Published: 2005
Series: Book 4 of 7
tl;dr
I didn't like it.
I will actively discourage my daughter from reading more of the series.
The Review:
Having recently read the The Worst Witch stories, which also have The Perfect Student who insists on giving the protagonist a hard time and The Strict Teacher who won't listen, it is easy to see how the heavy hand of the author creates an uneasy situation and unlikeable characters. Readers don't need morals drummed into them.
And as such I found myself really disliking this book.
The teacher is a bully.
The Evil School Friend is a bully who never feels consequences for her actions.
The Main Character is impotent in the face of the bullying - and no adults are willing to support her.
It makes my skin crawl. There are no solutions provided and no empowerment of the victim.
It's just so very wrong.
Which is a shame because it is well written with a nice premise of orphan fairies with a single bad apple.
It could have been so much better.
A Comparison:
In fact, there are a few similarities between "The Worst Witch All at Sea" and "Airy Fairy: Magic Mix Up!".
1. The slightly bumbling but very popular Main Character. Who has two BFFs to stick up for her.
2. The class heads off for an Imperfect Holiday.
3. Strict teacher.
Worst Witch: To me, she comes off as Strict and Lonely. Miss Hardbroom has moments when she is shown to care, but is unable to express these feelings in the usual day-to-day.
Airy Fairy: She is a bully, and a particularly nasty one. Calls Airy Fairy names and unreasonably punishes her.
4. Teacher's Pet who works to undermine the MC.
Worst Witch: Ethel's machinations are not meant to harm, and Ethel is both punished for them and realises how her actions had consequences. They often backfire resulting in Mildred getting "the prize".
Airy Fairy: Scary Fairy means to harm Airy Fairy. Her actions could have dire consequences and she doesn't care. She receives no punishment as a result. She is actively supported by the teacher Miss Stickler (her aunt).
5. Main character is criticised by external source.
Worst Witch: Mildred is known as a bit of a trouble-maker. While she may be frowned at she is not actively bullied.
Airy Fairy: The neighbouring class call Airy Fairy names (eg idiot), their teacher wants Airy Fairy kept away from her girls, they actively bully her.
Series:
Airy Fairy: Magic Mischief!
Airy Fairy: Magic Muddle!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mess!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mix Up!
Airy Fairy: Magic Mistakes!
Airy Fairy: Magic Music
Airy Fairy's Book Of Magic
Age:
Read aloud: 6+
Read yourself: 8+
References:
W'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret...
(ISBN 9780439963350)
-CR-
February 3, 2014
Hmmm. So I asked my girls if there were any books we could get rid of and these were amongst those nominated. I can see why.
It's not that it's badly written - it's decent writing. It's what happens that's rather cringe-worthy. Horrible adult figures and other mean characters. That's not always a bad thing but the corker is at the end when the main mean character gets their comeuppance and the 'good' fairies are all like "ha ha suck eggs, serves you right". There is *some* support shown by the main character's friends and I guess the main character is rather stoical and non-complaining. But I kind of wish she would complain and stand up for herself.
It's not terrible. It's just that there's so much better stuff out there.
It's not that it's badly written - it's decent writing. It's what happens that's rather cringe-worthy. Horrible adult figures and other mean characters. That's not always a bad thing but the corker is at the end when the main mean character gets their comeuppance and the 'good' fairies are all like "ha ha suck eggs, serves you right". There is *some* support shown by the main character's friends and I guess the main character is rather stoical and non-complaining. But I kind of wish she would complain and stand up for herself.
It's not terrible. It's just that there's so much better stuff out there.
May 30, 2010
I'm glad that my sister got these from the library so I could read them. I like them a lot because Airy Fairy always gets into trouble. A different fairy, named Scary Fairy, is really mean and she plays tricks on Airy Fairy. But the teacher always catches Airy Fairy's reaction instead of Scary Fairy's trick. It's funny to see what Airy Fairy is going to do next. I can't wait to find out what happens to her in the other books.
December 16, 2012
Some troubles maybe still reasonable, but more troubles? I don't think I can accept the concept. Airy Fairy really got into much troubles since Scary Fairy always pick her up and make everything a mess. But, is it have to like that? It is like watching a bad tv series where the protagonist and antagonist are act too much.
October 15, 2009
Girls into fairies will love this book. Airy Fairy gets into a lot of trouble partly because Scary Fairy makes so many things go wrong for Airy Fairy. A nice addition to some of the other early chapter fairy books. Girls who love silly books will definitely go for this.
March 11, 2011
Children who like fairy books or physical humor will enjoy this easy to read chapter book. I liked the portrayal of friendship and support for the main character when she was teased by the class mean girl/fairy. I also liked that the teasing was never extreme.
February 7, 2010
good but easy
December 28, 2011
I've had this book for years and I love it so everytime I read it I finish it in one night!!!!!! I haven't read it in a while so guna to night :))
February 21, 2016
Just because a book is about a fairy doesn't mean it should get published. Stilted writing, one dimensional characters, a thin plot line, and an unsatisfactory ending. This is all air.
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July 29, 2009BR3-Ryan
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews