THE FROST WINGS

A charming chapter book for young readers about four fairy friends who must work together and use special powers to save a stranded arctic fox pup.

North Everstar and her fellow fairies Lucy Dawn, Willow Brightfrost, and Charm Iceglade are recruited to join the Frost Wings, a team that aims to protect the animals of the arctic tundra. Their positions come with superpowers, bestowed upon them by the Arctic Fairy Queen, which are unique to their individual personalities. For example, Lucy receives the power of healing, due to her love of taking care of animals, and Charm receives magical mending thread, because she has a talent for crafting things. The fairies support one another, work through their emotions, and overcome obstacles as a team throughout the rescue, providing an engaging narrative with a good message for children. Their mission to save the adorable young arctic fox, Pounce, takes them out onto an ice floe in the ocean, leads to a close encounter with a polar bear, and requires them to outwit Blaze, a mean rival fairy. The simple prose is well suited for a young chapter-book audience and communicates the fairies’ emotions accessibly and authentically. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations throughout enhance the text, bringing the arctic landscape and creatures to life. Willow is portrayed as Black and Charm appears to have brown skin; North and other characters are portrayed with pale skin. One unexplained element is that although it's established that the fairies feel cold, the illustrations only depict them as wearing summery, short-sleeved clothing instead of weather-appropriate outfits. The book also includes a few pages of fun facts about arctic animals at the end, which bolsters the story’s descriptions of the environment.

An often delightful series starter in an unusual setting, with educational moments and appealing illustrations.