What do you think?
Rate this book
Freddie and the Fairy
In the newest tale from the award-winning author of Room on the Broom , Freddie meets a fairy who grants his every wish—almost
Freddie finds a fairy, tangled in a tree. Freddie is desperate for a pet, so when he rescues Bessie-Belle and she offers to grant his wishes, he knows just what to ask for. The only problem is that Bessie-Belle can't hear very well, and Freddie tends to mumble, and Freddie is given a net. So they keep trying. Luckily, the Fairy Queen is on hand to explain. This is a delightful tale full of Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyme and wit, with a subtle message about hearing impairments.
Freddie finds a fairy, tangled in a tree. Freddie is desperate for a pet, so when he rescues Bessie-Belle and she offers to grant his wishes, he knows just what to ask for. The only problem is that Bessie-Belle can't hear very well, and Freddie tends to mumble, and Freddie is given a net. So they keep trying. Luckily, the Fairy Queen is on hand to explain. This is a delightful tale full of Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyme and wit, with a subtle message about hearing impairments.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
8 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,203 books1,839 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 9, 2019
I wasn't sure where this was going at first -- were we laughing at the fairy for not being hard of hearing and making mistakes understanding what Freddie wanted as his wishes? But, no, it's actually a lesson for Freddie (who mumbles) and he learns to be clearer and more effective in his communication. I imagine children will laugh at the funny mix-ups and, hopefully, learn a bit of empathy and communication tips along the way.
Hint: the last two illustrations made no sense to me until I reread it with a British accent ;-)
Hint: the last two illustrations made no sense to me until I reread it with a British accent ;-)
February 19, 2014
Do not mumble, do not turn your head away and do not cover your mouth are three golden rules for communication that Freddie and the Fairy teaches young children.
Freddie and the Fairy is the story of how a young boy rescues a fairy whom is stuck in a tree. In return she says she will grant him a wish. However, Freddie mumbles and Bessie Belle the fairy it becomes apparent is hard of hearing so she keeps conjuring up the wrong thing. They do not give up and keep trying to get the right thing and luckily the Fairy Queen is on hand to explain and gives them the three important rules for good communication.
What I like about this story is that it has the rhyme and wit in it associated with other Julia Donaldson books. It also contains the very subtle message about hearing impairment which is often not covered by story books, especially children's ones. This is also supported by the beautiful illustrations which do not make it clear whether Bessie Belle has an accessory in her hair or a hearing aid. Finally, what I love most about this story is that it touches on Bessie Belles frustration at not being able to hear properly. This shows children that these feelings are completely normal and that is ok to feel annoyed sometimes.
This beautiful story would work well as a whole class book and one for the book corner in Reception and KS1. It would be a good story for a PSED lesson particularly if it was focusing on building self esteem, empathy and understanding diversity. Freddie and the Fairies main message is about communication so could be used to emphasise good communication and to raise awareness of hearing impairment. This would particularly be helpful if there was a child in the class/ school with hearing impairment. Lastly, for older children in Literacy the story could be used to introduce making predictions, to get the children to guess what the fairy is going to conjure up next. Due to the fairy often mishearing what Freddie says she often produces something that rhymes with what he has said so can be used as a stimulus for rhyming work too.
I would give this book 4 stars due to it being inclusive and carrying a strong message that can be applied to everyday life.
Freddie and the Fairy is the story of how a young boy rescues a fairy whom is stuck in a tree. In return she says she will grant him a wish. However, Freddie mumbles and Bessie Belle the fairy it becomes apparent is hard of hearing so she keeps conjuring up the wrong thing. They do not give up and keep trying to get the right thing and luckily the Fairy Queen is on hand to explain and gives them the three important rules for good communication.
What I like about this story is that it has the rhyme and wit in it associated with other Julia Donaldson books. It also contains the very subtle message about hearing impairment which is often not covered by story books, especially children's ones. This is also supported by the beautiful illustrations which do not make it clear whether Bessie Belle has an accessory in her hair or a hearing aid. Finally, what I love most about this story is that it touches on Bessie Belles frustration at not being able to hear properly. This shows children that these feelings are completely normal and that is ok to feel annoyed sometimes.
This beautiful story would work well as a whole class book and one for the book corner in Reception and KS1. It would be a good story for a PSED lesson particularly if it was focusing on building self esteem, empathy and understanding diversity. Freddie and the Fairies main message is about communication so could be used to emphasise good communication and to raise awareness of hearing impairment. This would particularly be helpful if there was a child in the class/ school with hearing impairment. Lastly, for older children in Literacy the story could be used to introduce making predictions, to get the children to guess what the fairy is going to conjure up next. Due to the fairy often mishearing what Freddie says she often produces something that rhymes with what he has said so can be used as a stimulus for rhyming work too.
I would give this book 4 stars due to it being inclusive and carrying a strong message that can be applied to everyday life.
February 17, 2023
I love this book! Brilliant for my deaf children and their friends.
September 6, 2015
Freddie rescues a fairy called Bessie-Belle who offers to make his every wish come true. However, she can’t hear him very well so she keeps getting his wishes wrong. Freddie gets frustrated and Bessie-Bell gets upset, but the fairy queen arrives and teaches Freddie to speak clearly so the fairy can understand what he is wishing for.
I enjoyed this book as it is well written in rhyming verses and also it has an important message. It shows children that everyone is different and they should be patient and kind. Also, the illustrations are lovely so this book would be perfect to read aloud to early years age students.
I enjoyed this book as it is well written in rhyming verses and also it has an important message. It shows children that everyone is different and they should be patient and kind. Also, the illustrations are lovely so this book would be perfect to read aloud to early years age students.
September 23, 2021
To start with, the story has the main character who wishes anything he wants for the fairy. But the airy has a hearing impairment, so the queen fairy taught him the rule of how to communicate with the fairy with the hearing impairment. I would recommend this book because it has a unique way how teaching someone how to talk to someone that may have a hearing impairment. This book would be great for the age group 4-5 years old.
April 4, 2018
I love it I have hearing aids
November 15, 2015
Another book written by the great Julia Donaldson. I read this book to a year two class who laughed the whole way through. This story follows Freddie who meets a Fairy (Bessie Belle) that is stuck up a tree. In return, of rescuing her, Freddie is granted a wish but because he mumbles, she conjures up the wrong thing. Little does Freddie know that the fairy has a hearing impairment (visible in illustrations). This book has a secret message to children when meeting a new person that they should ‘not mumble, do not turn your head away and do not cover your mouth’ according to the Fairy Queen’s golden rules. The golden rules teach good manners, how to conduct yourself and how to make everyone feel included linking to the hearing impairment. It is obvious from the text that Bessie Belle becomes frustrated, as she cannot hear what Freddie is saying, this encourages children to express their feelings, it is ok to feel annoyed or upset. The Fairy Queen saves the day as Freddie follows the simple rules and his wish is granted. Another key message here is to not give up until something is right, keep trying.
I believe this story is great for Early Years and Key Stage One as there are many messages covered in this book. The most important being Bessie Belle has a special need, which children will come across through school and life. Children should be exposed to differences and diverse needs to build their knowledge; children will be able to help their friends and not judge them. This links with PSHE as this story covers self-esteem, teaching empathy, understanding of diversity and building manners. All are great personal life skills that must be taught to children. I believe that this story and the choice of words will make children think twice about how they talk to people especially children or adults with hearing impairments. Using this book for literacy is a good resource as children in KS1 should be able to make predictions on what Bessie Belle might conjure next. Children can write to Bessie Belle asking about her hearing impairment and then key questions could be addressed as a class through circle time or when reflecting. The year two class I read to have previously covered poems and was able to explain to me that Julia Donaldson had used rhyming throughout this story. The use of rhyme kept the children engaged by the fun and creative play on words. For Early Years and lower KS1 they can use the rhyming words in the book to practise blending words and diagraphs, decoding words themselves and hear and see the rhyme.
I believe this story is great for Early Years and Key Stage One as there are many messages covered in this book. The most important being Bessie Belle has a special need, which children will come across through school and life. Children should be exposed to differences and diverse needs to build their knowledge; children will be able to help their friends and not judge them. This links with PSHE as this story covers self-esteem, teaching empathy, understanding of diversity and building manners. All are great personal life skills that must be taught to children. I believe that this story and the choice of words will make children think twice about how they talk to people especially children or adults with hearing impairments. Using this book for literacy is a good resource as children in KS1 should be able to make predictions on what Bessie Belle might conjure next. Children can write to Bessie Belle asking about her hearing impairment and then key questions could be addressed as a class through circle time or when reflecting. The year two class I read to have previously covered poems and was able to explain to me that Julia Donaldson had used rhyming throughout this story. The use of rhyme kept the children engaged by the fun and creative play on words. For Early Years and lower KS1 they can use the rhyming words in the book to practise blending words and diagraphs, decoding words themselves and hear and see the rhyme.
June 20, 2019
Ask and you will receive, but only when you ask with clarity!
Head Queen’s charter lists out on how to ASK as well as what to take care when one couldn't hear. Very thoughtful read!!
Head Queen’s charter lists out on how to ASK as well as what to take care when one couldn't hear. Very thoughtful read!!
February 8, 2014
An enchanting read suitable for either whole class or individual use for developing readers. The story takes us through Freddie and his encounter with a hearing impaired fairy ‘Bessie-Belle’. At first it is not quite clear that the fairy has a disability as it looks like that she is wearing a small accessory - an earring/hairclip. However, as the story develops this becomes apparent although the story does not specify the exact nature.
The story does touch on Bessie-Belle’s frustration, anxiety and sorrow and this is shown throughout through the use of charismatic illustrations. This helps children in Bessie-Belle’s situation to accept that these are completely normal feelings to experience and will therefore hopefully help to build the child’s self esteem, promoting empathy towards and from others.
This book could be used in a number of ways, either as the stimulus for a PSHE lesson, to support adapting communication for example with elderly relatives (ie not necessarily louder but clearer) or to equip a class with practical guidance in preparation for welcoming a new student with hearing troubles. The ‘Golden Rules’ explained here reinforce the general skills needed in good communication techniques especially speech and language.
Although it is nice to see a book that explores this rarely covered issue, I feel that there is much more that could have been included. For example the Golden Rules though useful in real terms, it would have been nice to see Freddie model these techniques as you would expect from adults.
The story does touch on Bessie-Belle’s frustration, anxiety and sorrow and this is shown throughout through the use of charismatic illustrations. This helps children in Bessie-Belle’s situation to accept that these are completely normal feelings to experience and will therefore hopefully help to build the child’s self esteem, promoting empathy towards and from others.
This book could be used in a number of ways, either as the stimulus for a PSHE lesson, to support adapting communication for example with elderly relatives (ie not necessarily louder but clearer) or to equip a class with practical guidance in preparation for welcoming a new student with hearing troubles. The ‘Golden Rules’ explained here reinforce the general skills needed in good communication techniques especially speech and language.
Although it is nice to see a book that explores this rarely covered issue, I feel that there is much more that could have been included. For example the Golden Rules though useful in real terms, it would have been nice to see Freddie model these techniques as you would expect from adults.
May 25, 2012
My daughter is deaf and I heard about the book from another parent who recommended it. Freddie helps the fairy out of a bit of a fix, and so she promises to grant all his wishes but warns she can't hear very well. When his wishes keep getting muddled the Fairy Queen has to step in with 3 golden rules to help the fairy understand him. The message it imparts is so important, providing some key information about communicating with those who have hearing problems in a way that is really accessible. Having read it I went and ordered a second copy for my daughter's nursery who are keen to share it with the other children to help them understand.
In reviews elsewhere I note people have mentioned the illustrations. I love Axel Scheffler's work in The Gruffalo and other Julia Donaldson books but this one has a different illustrator and I was a bit disappointed that it isn't even clear from the pictures whether the fairy is wearing a hearing aid, cochlear implant or whether it's just a hair grip. Whatever I might think my daughter loves this book and will tell me what the pictures show so they're not bad by any stretch of the imagination.
In reviews elsewhere I note people have mentioned the illustrations. I love Axel Scheffler's work in The Gruffalo and other Julia Donaldson books but this one has a different illustrator and I was a bit disappointed that it isn't even clear from the pictures whether the fairy is wearing a hearing aid, cochlear implant or whether it's just a hair grip. Whatever I might think my daughter loves this book and will tell me what the pictures show so they're not bad by any stretch of the imagination.
February 26, 2015
I am a huge fan of Julia Donaldson and this book just adds to my amazing collection of hers. I've used it teaching literacy to a reception class. The theme of the lesson was rhyming words which Julia Donaldson is brilliant for. The good thing about this book is that it catered for all abilities in the class, the first set of rhyming words are pet,net which was fantastic for my children that have just started to blend, they were able to decode the words themselves and hear and see the rhyme... I also have some outstanding readers they had words such as gorilla and caterpillar. It kept the whole class entertained. I myself dressed up as Bessie belle. I was worries at first that some of my boys may not have been engaged as the book contains a fairy but they thoroughly enjoyed it, the class even put together a fairy display. More importantly the book is about a fairy who can't hear very well and the three rules we must remember so that people with hearing difficulties can understand us, this is particularly important if you have a child in your class with a hearing difficulty. I would recommended this book to anyone who enjoys a good heart filled story!!!
April 28, 2015
This story is based on the encounter of Freddie and his meeting of a Fairy with some sort of hearing impairment. This inclusive story touched upon frustration, anxiety and sadness someone with this type of disability may encounter through brilliant and effective illustrations.
This can help children of all needs relate to Bessie Belles story and provide a sense of compfort to those children going trough a similar experience. This helps builds children's empathy and understanding of this with SEN leading to a more inclusive class.
This book could be used in many ways to introduce hearing impatient a to the class especially if the class are expecting a child into the class with an impatient. This is good because the book details three golden rules to help children overcome the uncomfortableness associated with SEN and natural fear of the unknown.
This can help children of all needs relate to Bessie Belles story and provide a sense of compfort to those children going trough a similar experience. This helps builds children's empathy and understanding of this with SEN leading to a more inclusive class.
This book could be used in many ways to introduce hearing impatient a to the class especially if the class are expecting a child into the class with an impatient. This is good because the book details three golden rules to help children overcome the uncomfortableness associated with SEN and natural fear of the unknown.
March 24, 2014
I love Julia Donaldsons books. This one was no exception. The illustrations are nice and colourful and bold and the fairy is gorgeous.
Freddie desperately wants a pet and helps a fairy tangled in a tree called Bessie-Belle. She says she will grant him all of his wishes but she can't hear very well and when Freddie mumbles his wish requests she gets everything wrong. This is a lovely tale about what it would be like for somebody who can't always hear properly and feels awful because of their disability. The Fairy Queen puts everything right and Freddie and Bessie-Belle become the best of friends.
I really enjoyed this book it was a gorgeous picture book to read!
Freddie desperately wants a pet and helps a fairy tangled in a tree called Bessie-Belle. She says she will grant him all of his wishes but she can't hear very well and when Freddie mumbles his wish requests she gets everything wrong. This is a lovely tale about what it would be like for somebody who can't always hear properly and feels awful because of their disability. The Fairy Queen puts everything right and Freddie and Bessie-Belle become the best of friends.
I really enjoyed this book it was a gorgeous picture book to read!
September 18, 2018
I do like Julia Donaldson. This has the charming fun of rhyme while also being useful as a text in an early learning environment where there are children / staff with hearing impediments. It turns out that the fairy is reading lips - that's why his mumbling keeps making the wishes go wrong.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 22, 2019
A funny story about a fairy who cannot hear very well, and when she tries to grant wishes, she messes them up! I like that it introduces young children to the concept of rhyming words in a fun way - the children get the hang of it after one or two pages and try to guess what comes up next in the remaining pages. A secondary teachable opportunity is for children to begin to be aware of others who may have different needs. In this case, we recognise the need to interact with Bessie Belle the fairy in a slightly different way -- by making sure she can read our lips when we speak to her.
November 22, 2019
Some nice teachable moments, got this specifically to address hearing disabilities. However, I often find myself slightly disappointed by Donaldson’s insistence on rhyming couplets—her concepts and characters are super fun, but her rhymes can be forced, ending up in a lot of clunky verse and limiting the story’s execution. Of course there are many great exceptions that keep us reading her work—Gruffalo, Tiddler, and Squid and the Whale come to mind—but I’m getting increasingly tired of the unchanging approach and wish she would try her hand at prose at least once.
February 18, 2020
An adaptable story that can be used to show children how to deal with another student/child/adult with a hearing issue or just a good book about how to "speak up" so everyone can understand you. Freddie helps Bessie-Belle from getting unstuck from a tree. To thank him, she will grant all his wishes. However, things do not go as planned and Freddie gets frustrated. Yet,he quickly learns that he is just as much at fault as Bessie-Belle is for being unable to perfectly grand his wishes because he is unclear and does not follow three golden rules.
March 13, 2023
What a delightful story this is and perfect for raising awareness around deafness with young children too. Meet Freddie who desperately wants a pet and is excited to be granted wishes by a loveable fairy - the only trouble is- she is hard of hearing and Freddie keeps mumbling and covering his mouth! Through rhyme, humour and beautiful illustrations, Julia Donaldson produces another wonderful and highly recommended read.
March 20, 2019
After reading this story, I enjoyed how the Queen Fairy taught the three important rules when communicating with someone who is hearing impaired. I also loved how there was rhyming words included throughout the story. I believe that this story is a great way to teach young children about how some children are different but still very important and special.
October 14, 2021
Pro: Gives three rules for speaking to someone who is hard of hearing: speak clearly, don't turn away, and make sure they can see your mouth.
Con: It was not clear from the beginning that the fairy was hard of hearing--it was more like she was a bumbling little fairy who could not get the wish-magic right.
Con: It was not clear from the beginning that the fairy was hard of hearing--it was more like she was a bumbling little fairy who could not get the wish-magic right.
May 5, 2022
One of my favourite Julia Donaldson books with such an important message for children and adults alike. You can't help but feel sympathy to both Freddie and the Fairy. The story and chaos that ensues because the Fairy doesn't hear very well engages children to help and join in with the flow of the story.
June 15, 2020
I bought this because of the name (duh!), but also because Julia Donaldson books are notoriously excellent. This didn't disappoint. A very sweet story about a hearing-impaired fairy and lots of fun rhyming animals.
September 16, 2020
A helpful book to teach compassion and empathy, as well as some useful practical tips for teaching children how they can help their deaf friends by remembering a few simple tips (like not mumbling, not covering the mouth when speaking, etc).
December 12, 2023
3.5/5 cute rhyming story that gently introduces the idea of accommodating people who are hard of hearing to young children and highlights in a humourous way just how easily our words can be misinterpreted especially when we haven't been clear in our communication!
May 16, 2017
Wonderful.
January 18, 2019
Amazing book
May 13, 2019
My favorite one...
December 26, 2020
A funny read for both young and old. It also has great lessons for children so it gets 5 stars from me
March 21, 2022
A good message at the end, but Freddie needed a good taking to about manners too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews