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A Fairy Went A-Marketing
At a market, a fairy purchases riches found in nature. Then releases them for their own good or the good of others. A different season plays out with each stanza of Fyleman’s verse. Visually exquisite, this is a story to be savored by both parents and children, and is a great book to be shared in preschool story time.
"The artist has created a fairy-world of beauty with animals, plants, reptiles and small details making each double-page spread a breathtaking scene. . . luminous." — Publishers Weekly
"What makes this picture book exceptional are the exquisite illustrations." — School Library Journal
"The artist has created a fairy-world of beauty with animals, plants, reptiles and small details making each double-page spread a breathtaking scene. . . luminous." — Publishers Weekly
"What makes this picture book exceptional are the exquisite illustrations." — School Library Journal
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 3, 2018
A classic poem illustrated with detailed pictures of diverse, real wildlife. Lots of hidden treasures to find on each page. It may be a tad corny, but I know many, many children (including myself) who would love this.
March 30, 2019
This fairy's rampant consumerism is tempered by the fact that she releases everything she buys. I've no doubt Marie Kondō would approve.
A sweet story, with rhyming text, and wonderfully busy illustrations by Jamichael Henterly.
A sweet story, with rhyming text, and wonderfully busy illustrations by Jamichael Henterly.
May 15, 2009
Lovely old-fashioned rhymes reveal true sweetness of character. I like how the fairy only enjoys the company of the creatures she "buys" for a day before she sets them free. The illustrations are beautiful; very sweet and woodlandy and I like the fairy's butterfly wings.
December 13, 2012
This was a pretty book. It was a story about a fairy who used an item for a day but then gave it away. The fairy also bought animals and enjoyed their company or skills and then set the animal free. It was a good book to teach children how not to abuse things and be sharing.
April 9, 2024
A fairy goes to market in this picture book poem, purchasing a series of living creatures (and a garment)—a silver fish, a colored bird, a winter coat, and a gentle mouse—and then setting each free. Each verse of the poem is accompanied by vividly colorful artwork, as the fish is released in a pond, the bird set loose to fly aloft, the winter gown given to a frog, and the house-keeping mouse thanked and let go...
The poem in A Fairy Went A-Marketing is taken from author Rose Fyleman's 1918 collection, Fairies and Chimneys , and is presented here in picture book form with the beautiful artwork of contemporary illustrator Jamichael Henterly. The result is a lovely volume, one which pairs a wonderful poem—it reads well, and tells a sweet, heartwarming story of a fairy who knows that the little creatures she "buys" must be set free, even if she enjoys their company—with eye-catching visuals. The illustrations here weren't quite what I was expecting from a gentle fairy story. Somehow, I thought I would get something more pastel, whereas Henterly uses deep, vibrant colors, depicting her fairy heroine in all seasons. Recommended to all young fairy lovers, and to picture book readers who enjoy poetic read-alouds. For my part, I think I need to track down more of Rose Fyleman's work, as I had not even heard of her before picking this title up at random, in the children's room at my public library.
The poem in A Fairy Went A-Marketing is taken from author Rose Fyleman's 1918 collection, Fairies and Chimneys , and is presented here in picture book form with the beautiful artwork of contemporary illustrator Jamichael Henterly. The result is a lovely volume, one which pairs a wonderful poem—it reads well, and tells a sweet, heartwarming story of a fairy who knows that the little creatures she "buys" must be set free, even if she enjoys their company—with eye-catching visuals. The illustrations here weren't quite what I was expecting from a gentle fairy story. Somehow, I thought I would get something more pastel, whereas Henterly uses deep, vibrant colors, depicting her fairy heroine in all seasons. Recommended to all young fairy lovers, and to picture book readers who enjoy poetic read-alouds. For my part, I think I need to track down more of Rose Fyleman's work, as I had not even heard of her before picking this title up at random, in the children's room at my public library.
December 25, 2020
Let me tell you a story: I was doing some Christmas shopping at a Half Price Books near my house. I had gotten back into reading this year, and it has been so good for me (and bad for my wallet). So I wanted my gifts to reflect my year (in the best possible way), so I decided to give everyone books. I was browsing the children’s section for some of my young cousins and came across this book. I could see the front cover where it sat, and the cover picture looked so much like my sister. Not only that, but it spoke to me. It said her name. I picked it up with the full intention of getting it for her. After some time with my thoughts, I imagined it might also be good for my mom, and my sister is already getting a full set of goosebumps books. For the record, she’s 24. So, why not give my mom another gift and not as much to my sister. Then today, yes Christmas Day, I was wrapping my presents, and I saw the cover again. And I wavered. It said her name. So I decided to read it. Not a long read for sure. And it had never been more perfect for my sister. She’s an animal rights activist, and I haven’t a doubt in my heart this is a true story about her former life as a fairy.
August 9, 2020
Learned about his book when my daughter attended Waldorf kindergarten. Enjoyed it then and again with the grandchildren.
My nearly 3 yo granddaughter has it nearly memorized. This story teaches children that you can enjoy and even love something without possessing for a long period. The wild ones can survive in quite well in their natural habitat.
My nearly 3 yo granddaughter has it nearly memorized. This story teaches children that you can enjoy and even love something without possessing for a long period. The wild ones can survive in quite well in their natural habitat.
December 4, 2018
An English poem about the kindness, and gentle spirit of a fairy and how she treats all the wonders of nature around her. Excellent illustrations on every page
March 22, 2017
Beautiful detailed colored pencil illustrations enhance every two lines of a poem which was first published in a children's magazine in 1918.
July 31, 2008
the text:
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a little fish;
She put it in a crystal bowl upon a silver dish.
An hour she sat in wonderment and watched its silver gleam,
And then she gently took it up and slipped it in a stream.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a colored bird;
It sang the sweetest, shrillest song that ever she had heard.
She sat besides its painted cage and listened half the day,
And then she opened wide the door and let it fly away.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a winter gown,
All stitched about with gossamer and lined with thistledown.
She wore it all the afternoon with prancing and delight,
Then gave it to a little frog to keep him warm at night.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a gentle mouse,
To take her tiny messages, to keep her tiny house.
All day she kept its bust feet pit-patting to and fro,
And then she kissed its silken ears, thanked it, and let it go.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a little fish;
She put it in a crystal bowl upon a silver dish.
An hour she sat in wonderment and watched its silver gleam,
And then she gently took it up and slipped it in a stream.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a colored bird;
It sang the sweetest, shrillest song that ever she had heard.
She sat besides its painted cage and listened half the day,
And then she opened wide the door and let it fly away.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a winter gown,
All stitched about with gossamer and lined with thistledown.
She wore it all the afternoon with prancing and delight,
Then gave it to a little frog to keep him warm at night.
A Fairy went a-marketing, she bought a gentle mouse,
To take her tiny messages, to keep her tiny house.
All day she kept its bust feet pit-patting to and fro,
And then she kissed its silken ears, thanked it, and let it go.
July 26, 2023
Such a beautiful book. A great addition to any collection.
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July 10, 2009
This little gem is a must-read for all children (and adults too!). The illustrations are beautiful along with the story. It is a wonderful lesson about "nothing is truly owned." It also features the seasons and various animals/plants.
June 25, 2008
Beautiful artwork, sweet story about a charitable fairy. Children's book that was given to me as a gift when I was first learning to read (originally published in 1986). Loved it as a kid, still love it.
July 16, 2013
Any book that has illustrations that include a banjo made out of a False Potato Beetle's elytra in the background is my kind of book. I practically stopped reading the book to my daughter just to see what else I could find.
June 13, 2008
Lovely. Great illustrations to inspire imagination in kids. Perfect for toddlers.
January 6, 2009
How have I missed this book? It is so well illustrated, and the story is quite sweet. I would like to own a copy.
April 24, 2009
a beautiful book with exquisite illustrations
July 30, 2009
Possibly my favorite book of all time, because it is the first one I remember reading.
July 12, 2010
Beautiful illustrations.
October 12, 2010
Started off beautifully but ended rather flat and abruptly.
April 30, 2011
Beautiful illustrations. I love fairies and nature; and this is perfectly blended in the illustrations.
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July 17, 2011Beautiful. I love her detailed miniature world. And her care for animals.
August 19, 2012
I loved this as a child, and now I'm lucky enough to read it to my own daughter. The illustrations are magical and the story is very sweet, it will captivate any young imagination.
July 30, 2015
A favourite of both of my daughters, this one comes very highly recommended from this house!
November 10, 2019
I like the illustrations a lot, but the story is a bit strange. She kept buying animals and releasing them after using them. I don't know, it seems odd.
February 25, 2016
Beautiful images, and a pretty great story to teach children to care for things and put them back where they are supposed to be.
May 19, 2016
Fairy went to the market and bought a little mouse and she let her go.
December 31, 2015
Very interesting story. Kinda cool
February 14, 2018
Beautiful book. Delightful poem.
The poem by Rose Fyleman was originally published in 1918, but this edition features luscious color pencil illustrations from 1986. The busy, but harmonious, artwork has many items for young readers to study and discover. My only complaint is that the hues are so fully saturated that there is no sense of deep distance because background elements are as vibrant as foreground elements. This could be a stylistic choice of the artist, however, and it doesn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. There is a wide range of tonal varieties to keep visual interest, from moss to feathers to hair and fur. Henterly’s work is very lovely.
Fyleman’s poem is brought to life page after page. Her poems sometimes falter rhythmically, but her sense of description is colorful in its own right. Working in tandem with the art, this is a beautiful picture book to read and look at.
The poem by Rose Fyleman was originally published in 1918, but this edition features luscious color pencil illustrations from 1986. The busy, but harmonious, artwork has many items for young readers to study and discover. My only complaint is that the hues are so fully saturated that there is no sense of deep distance because background elements are as vibrant as foreground elements. This could be a stylistic choice of the artist, however, and it doesn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. There is a wide range of tonal varieties to keep visual interest, from moss to feathers to hair and fur. Henterly’s work is very lovely.
Fyleman’s poem is brought to life page after page. Her poems sometimes falter rhythmically, but her sense of description is colorful in its own right. Working in tandem with the art, this is a beautiful picture book to read and look at.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews