Child of Faerie, Child of Earth

by Jane Yolen, Jane Dyer (Illustrator)

According to legend, once a year faeries leave the underworld to join a faerie ring in the moonlight, and on one such magical night, a young faerie boy meets a child of earth and they become friends forever.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Poetry, Halloween, Fairy Tales, Magic

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caressing and sweet, with a rhythmic and songlike lyricism (although the rhyming scheme and word choices of Child of Faerie, Child of Earth unfortunately and a trifle annoyingly do feel somewhat awkwardly halting and forced at times, especially near the end of the presented narrative), Jane Yolen's evocation of a fairy/human friendship demonstrates not only the power of companionship, but also and much more importantly, essentially, that friendships can exist and flourish even across barriers and boundaries. For although both fairy and human child realise that their beings, that their cultures and needs are too different for them to permanently reside in each other's realms, their mutual affection, strengthened by fond remembrances of the time spent together and occasional visits, endures forever, strongly and intensely. Jane Dyer's accompanying illustrations are both luminous and realistic, both magical and earthy (in other words, they are both fairy-like and humanistic in scope) not only complimenting Yolen's text, but also at times expanding on the latter (visually demonstrating for example, that both humans and fairies age, an intriguing and imaginative touch, different from the status quo that so very often presents fairies as eternally fresh faced and youthful in appearance). Highly recomended, especially as a read-aloud or read-along, my mild issues with the quality of the rhyming scheme notwithstanding.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

With ethereal images of fairies and the wonders of nature, this story in verse is a magical tale for Halloween that is quite unlike most tales that celebrate this holiday.

The pairing of Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer is a wonderful combination of artistry in words and pictures.

This story was selected as one of the books for the June 2016 - Fairies reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Todd Strader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He was a child of faerie folk.
A child of sky and air.
And she was a child of humankind.
Of earth and toil and care.
_They met in the dusk of Hallow's Eve.
_When widow's grieve
_In widow's weave.
_They met in the dark of Hallow's Eve,
She had flowers in her hair."

So begins Child of Faerie Child of Earth by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Jane Dyer. I love this picture book. I love the poetry, the imagery, the story line, the subject matter and of course the outstanding art. Like my own Snow Bloom (first draft soon), it weaves the mythos and traditions of simple peasants of the middle ages into a lyrical telling of a charming story.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a lovely story in rhyming verse about an unusual friendship between a young human girl and a young fairy boy. I also loved the illustrations. This story differs from some traditional fairy stories in which the human who enters the fairy world seems to stay one night, but in actuality, has been there several years. For both girl and boy, one night and one day in the other's world is all the time that passes. It also departs from tradition by showing the fairy growing older, from young boy to elderly man, instead of remaining immortal. Yolen text + Dyer illustrations = magic!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great storybook in verse! This is my toddler's favorite book right now (she initially called it "faerie boy blue!" book but once I corrected her color choice it just became "Faerie child book!"). Beautiful illustrations and catchy, winsome poetry make this an enjoyable read with a lesson underneath. Highly recommended!

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun rhyme that brings to mind the difference between the original concept of faerie and the current, fluttery, magical fairies that are popular today. I did really enjoy the illustrations in this one, and the rhyme was beautiful!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this beautifully ilustrated book about a faerie boy and human girl who meet and develop a friendship. I love the poetic language, the gorgeous illustrations and the relationship that develops between the two.

[Michaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most adorable and beautiful thing I've ever read. So refreshing to read a fairy tale like story that doesn't have a romance in it, just the most beautiful friendship ever.

My only issue is that it encourages kids to eat food in the faerie realm, which is never a good idea, but I can look past that.

So much cuteness!!!

[Orion Kopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom thinks this book is a little irresponsible telling children to traipse into Faerie and eat their food, but she liked the story and illustrations. I mostly cried while she read it but maybe I’ll like it more later.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. When my daughter was a toddler it was one of her favorites. I find very I have very little middle ground with Yolen, I really love it or I don't. This one I really love.

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story! Really appreciated the loving, lifelong committed relationship of two opposite-gender individuals with no suggestion that they were romantically or sexually involved, nor any assumption about the nature of their relationship based on their genders.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was honestly one of my favorite books growing up. I absolutely adore this book. It inspires the reader to have/be open to the belief in the fantasy world. It inspires the imagination. It is a very heartwarming book.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too put this book in simple words. Beautiful. Whimsical art work an lyrically written.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever my favorite.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. My five year old daughter loved it just like I did.

[Ned Netherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautiful, my four year old was utterly enchanted

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enh

[Leticia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What in the world kind of writing? I felt like I was having a stroke. Worse than a Dr. Seuss.

[Holly Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered this book during one of my college courses, but I can imagine it being one of my absolute favorites had I been introduced to it as a child. The flow of the words, the charming story, and the colorful illustrations would have mostly likely made this the type of book I would have begged my family member to read to me on a daily basis. It's perfect for the child (or adult!) with a big imagination. The rhythm and the rhymes create a predictable pattern of speech that is beneficial to beginning readers and exciting for experienced readers. I highly recommend reading this book to any child who wants to take a brief trip to an enchanted world during story time!

[Lisa Schwartz]

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. I believe that young children would be able to wrap their head around such concepts as friendship and respect. I think that they would also be able to understand the message of the book and what they are learning is that it is important to learn about other people no matter how different they are, before making a decision to like or dislike them. This book subtly teaches an openness of heart that is refreshing. The pictures are vivid and interesting, and children will enjoy looking at them, for I enjoyed looking at them.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lifelong friendship between a human and a faerie: they envied each other's worlds but had enough self-awareness to know they didn't want to abandon their own for the other. Full page illustrations filled with seasonal colors amplified the warmth of the story.

Recommended as a story to show kids that people from different worlds can come together, share their culture, and build lasting friendships/ relationships without having to sacrifice their homes or who they are in the process.

4.5 stars

[Lana Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who believes in love, magic and poetry. I am the mother of two boys who never really got into fairy tales. I found myself buying this book not for them, but for the little girl inside me who still believes and remembers. The poem sings of a young girl, far removed from modern day conveniences, who explores the fairy realm for the love of a special someone. The illustrations are heartwarming and surreal. This book is bound to evoke belief in the unbelievable.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best pieces of narrative verse by Jane Yolen that I have ever read. The mere fact that she developed such a complex meter and rhyme scheme and kept it up throughout the entire book is impressive. Of course, if anyone had it it them to write a book like this, that person would have to be Jane Yolen. The nicknames, reputation, and resume she's garnered don't come unearned. Even if you aren't big on stories of faerie folklore, you have to give this one its due. Well done.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! So sweet and innocent. The lyricism is lovely and gives a musical cadence to this simple story about being true to yourself and making strong friendships through that. Take five minutes. Read this book. Read it out loud to your siblings or children or that neighbor kid who follows you around. Give it to a student or a friend. Read it and share it. I'm pretty sure you'll love it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be full of a bunch of fairy fluff and wouldn't interest me too much. In actuality, I really liked it. The pictures are so sweet and serene and I like the poem very much. The story gives a lovely perspective on give and take and finding the balance of life as well as a unique view on love.

[Isalei · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful children's books I have ever read. Wonderful story, maybe a little too advanced for the youngest children, altho' they'll LOVE the pictures. I'd recommend it for 7-10 yr olds. Illustrated by Jane Dyer, in my opinion, the best children's book illustrator EVER. The message is not too juvenile for adults, either.

[Elise Cohen]

"This is a beautifully illustrated, adorable tale told in verse. It tells of a human girl and fairy boy who meet and visit each others' worlds. Realizing they each belong among their own kind, they resolve nonetheless to maintain their friendship and interaction by exchanging gifts and meeting periodically. Their relationship begins in childhood and extends into their old age. Enjoy!"

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story for children interested in faeries. A human child visits the faerie world (night) and he in turns visits her human world (day). Although they cannot stay in each other's worlds, they stay friends forever. This could also serve as an introduction to the differences of people's lives for a child visiting a new town, country, or new friend's house without being too pedantic.

[Courtney Cashon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative, beautiful, and down-to-Earth. Even though this is a fantasy book, the imagery and narrative are very Earthy and warm. It would be a good read for children in 3rd grade. It had a nice slow pace and flow that made it engaging.

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A human girl meets a faerie boy. He shows her his world, where she cannot stay. She shows him the human world, where he cannot stay. But they exchange gifts and remain lifelong friends. Sweet, magical story told in verse.