When I Was a Fairy

by Tom Silson, Ewa Poklewska-Koziełło

When I Was a Fairy is a heart-warming tale about love, loss and growing old. Touching on themes of dementia, old age, and relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren, this is not only a story about fairies, but also on the magic of life and what we can share with one another from generation to generation.

When I was a fairy, I used to dance on daffodils.
I used to bounce on blueberries and ride on raindrops.
When I was a fairy, mountains were molehills.
Back when I was a fairy…I’d almost forgot.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairies

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Mathew]

There's some lovely rhythmic rich rhyming language in this picturebook on growing old and passing on stories, hopes and dreams with a new generation. As a grandmother regales in her earlier life as a fairy to their grandchild, a rich tapestry of images swims across the spreads. I liked the implicit message about grandchildren continuing to share new stories with those whose stories may have been told.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This heartfelt story in rhyme is told by a grandma regaling her grandchild about the world of imagination she remembers when she was a child. From driving a dragonfly, living in an ancient willow tree and exploring the world in stories, the woman explores flights of fancy that she hopes her grandchild will enjoy. Although the woman and her grandchild are white, fairies of many different skin colors and hair colors gambol through the pages. I like that the child is depicted as gender neutral.

The illustrations are what stand out about this book, and will delight young children who love fairies and miniature, flower-filled worlds. Vibrant jewel tones and lovely pastel colors bring the fairy world and its denizens alive.

The rhymes are quite wordy, but young listeners will likely be captivated more by the images.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about an older lady who tells a child stories of when she was a fairy.