PRINCESS AND FAIRY

Saccharine, sparkly and overwhelmingly pink, this selection seems calculatedly aimed at some of the retail industry’s hottest market: little girls. Princess and fairy are the best of friends. When they receive an invitation to the queen’s birthday gala, the bunnies search Fairyland for a list of party items, which include sapphire shoes, a blue silk purse and a diamond ring, among other necessities. Surviving slight obstacles along the way, the rabbits are dirty by day’s end, though the queen thanks them for their efforts. The book is strongest visually as the bunnies shop; readers can search for hidden objects within each intricately detailed double-page spread. Pignataro’s ink, pencil, watercolor and collage art utilizes patterned borders to contain each busy scene. While successful as a search-and-find, the story suffers as slight rhymes convey a forced enthusiasm. “Midnight treats and secret wishes, / Toadstool dancing and fairy swishes, / Hide-and-seek at Ladybird Bend, / Best of friends to the fairy end!” All sweet and no spice provides a sugary overdose in this consumerist fantasy. (Picture book. 3-6)