FERN AND THE FIRST DAY DISASTER

Stratford presents a story for young readers about a fairy’s first day of school.

The author explores themes of sibling rivalry, self-esteem, and problem-solving in this chapter book featuring illustrations by Yanait. Fern Juniper is a green-haired, freckled fairy overshadowed by her older, sixth-grade sister, Shimmer, who’s “very cool” and has wings that “look like liquid turquoise, and they shimmer like the feathers on a hummingbird’s chest.” Shimmer is also “always the best in her class at everything!” Fern is envious, but she’s still excited about entering second grade at Rowan Tree School. There’s just one hitch: On Fern’s first day, she has to ride a tortoise to school, while Shimmer gets to ride on a dragonfly. After Fern arrives, she excels; she successfully identifies various plants and wins a “Fairy Locking” competition, which involves silently tangling human hair. She scores three bull’s-eyes in elf-shot, an activity involving arrows that are invisible to humans, which cause shooting pains or cramps in those who are targeted. After school, Fern decides to ride her sister’s dragonfly home: “I’m pretending I’m a soldier fairy flying my hornet jet into battle,” she shares. Soon, they crash, landing the dragonfly in the web of the “biggest, hairiest spider” Fern has ever seen. Stratford’s language is accessible, creative, and engaging throughout. The story immerses readers in Fern’s way of looking at the world in lines such as “Rowan Tree School is six oak trees east from where I live,” and even includes engaging details, such as Fern’s favorite soda flavor (milk thistle). Stratford also describes Fern’s feelings in a tangible and relatable way (“I am so excited that I feel like my heart is flying around in my chest”). Fern is a fully developed character, but Shimmer and Daisy feel less fleshed out; it would have been interesting to see Fern and Shimmer interact more. Intricate and lush full-color illustrations by Yanait amplify the mystical forest setting.

A whimsical tale of a magical world that will charm young readers and adults.