THE BOOK OF FAIRIES

In her first book, Williams has gathered from around the world eight tales about fairies, those sprites of woodland, field, hill, and stream who have served as guides and mentors to humans regarding questions of proper behavior and natural harmonies. She includes stories about France's ``Fairy of the Meadows,'' who has advice on the perils of greed and the keeping of promises; China's ``Spirit of the Herbs,'' who counsels Chun Tao on curing a plague sweeping her land; Ireland's ``Fairy Queen,'' who tells Connla and Nora their destinies; and other equally extraordinary creatures from England and Japan, and from the Algonquin, Hindu, and Ojibwa traditions. Williams has chosen wisely, not only for the quality of the stories, but for making plain the universal appeal of fairies, despite their varied functions in disparate cultures. Newcomer Barrett takes a much softer approach to fairies in illustrations that are uniformly mawkish, and don't convey the bite, fear, or melancholy that gives the tales their crackle. Booktalk this one—an unusually small typeface may put off children drawn to the subject. (notes) (Folklore. 9-12) (Book-of-the-Month Club selection)