Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale

( 3 )

Overview

Tall as an eyelash, quick as a plane was the tiniest fairy, Penelope Jane.

Penelope Jane de la Fesser, a flying French fairy, is just the perfect size to live in the right-hand dresser drawer of her very best friend, five-year-old Carrie. When this eyelash-tall fairy decides one day to go to school with Carrie, she doesn't let her tiny size stand in the way of getting into some really big trouble! But when the whole school is suddenly in danger, Penelope Jane musters a lion's share of courage in order to save the day.

Includes the words and music to the original song "How to Be Strong"...

See more details below
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Tall as an eyelash, quick as a plane was the tiniest fairy, Penelope Jane.

Penelope Jane de la Fesser, a flying French fairy, is just the perfect size to live in the right-hand dresser drawer of her very best friend, five-year-old Carrie. When this eyelash-tall fairy decides one day to go to school with Carrie, she doesn't let her tiny size stand in the way of getting into some really big trouble! But when the whole school is suddenly in danger, Penelope Jane musters a lion's share of courage in order to save the day.

Includes the words and music to the original song "How to Be Strong" by Grammy Award-winning singer Rosanne Cash.

Penelope Jane, a spunky fairy whose mischievous behavior causes chaos in the classroom, uses some quick thinking and a song to save the school from a fire. Includes lyrics and music.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Karas's (Home on the Bayou) animated illustrations save the day for Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Cash's first children's book, told in unaccomplished rhyming text. Penelope Jane is a tiny French fairy ("Tall as an eyelash/ quick as a plane") who lives with her fairy mom in five-year-old Carrie's top dresser drawer. Tired of studying fairy rules at her own tiny school, Penelope Jane decides to stow away on Carrie's shoulder and explore human-size academia. A string of classroom mishaps earns Penelope Jane time in the corner, feeling horribly out of place. But before things get too sad, Penelope Jane turns into a hero. Inspired by Cash's song "How to Be Strong" (attributed in the story to Penelope Jane's mother), the little fairy's confidence and quick thinking help prevent a fire emergency. The text sometimes stumbles to accommodate the rhyming couplet format, and the language lacks luster ("Our wild little fairy felt sorry and sad./ She slunk to the corner; she knew she'd been bad"). Fortunately, Karas's childlike gouache-and-pencil scenes add some oomph. His views of tiny flitting fairies sitting at their acorn desks, Carrie's frazzled teacher and the bemused classroom pet Mr. Turtle emphasize motion and just a little mischief. A CD recording of "How to Be Strong" is included. Ages 4-8. (May) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
From The Critics
This rollicking rhyme is about a tiny French fairy who lives with her mother in a drawer in fiveyearold Carrie's dresser (which is supposed to rhyme with Penelope Jane de la Fesser, but does so only if you Anglicize the pronunciation of the French name). Grammy awardwinner Cash's first picture book is accompanied by a tiny CD with her new song, "How to Be Strong." Threetofives will probably enjoy it, but I had problems with such lines as "One day when Carrie was skipping to school/ She felt on her shoulder a droplet of drool" to announce that P.J. had decided to accompany Carrie to school. Since this isn't a "gross/yuck" type book, why force a rhyme like this? Later, the teacher becomes annoyed with her antics and says, "...You are a pain! / Go sit in the corner, Penelope Jane!" which is a good rhyme but a poor model: a teacher labeling a child (or a fairy). I won't even get into the class going outside to recess while P.J. is left indoors alone, which is how she discovers the situation that makes her a heroine. And then we have the coup de grace with "Penelope's mom baked a thousand croissants / and handed them out at the press conference" where the French pronunciation is required (and so designated by italics) for a perfectly ordinary English word. This writer needs to get her act together, especially since her song is well done, worthwhile and easy to learn, and the pictures are really cute. 2000, HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780060842307
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 8/1/2006
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 32
  • Age range: 4 - 8 Years
  • Product dimensions: 9.80 (w) x 8.50 (h) x 0.20 (d)

Meet the Author

Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter who has released ten record albums over the post twenty years, which have charted eleven number-one singles and earned numerous accolades for songwriting and performance. Her first book, Bodies of Water, was published in 1995 to widespread critical acclaim. Her essays and fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Oxford-American, and various other periodicals and collections. She also teaches a songwriting workshop. Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale is her first book for children. Ms.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating 3.5
( 3 )

Rating Distribution

  • ( 2 )
  • ( 0 )
  • ( 0 )
  • ( 0 )
  • ( 1 )
If you've bought this product, tell the world how you liked it.
Write a Review
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Posted July 31, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Adorable Rhyme

    So my 3 year old loved this book when I read it to her yesterday. I have to admit that I was in love with Penelope after reading it, too. The descriptions are sweet (fairy as tall as an eye lash) and the rhyme is endearing (sometimes too much rhyme in children's books can be rather obnoxious). It offered great mini lessons in French, too! "Seven Croissants was their favorite treat"...

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 24, 2001

    a timeless children's tale

    Penelope Jane is an inspiring heroine for the little ones. This 'eyelash high' fairy embodies the humanistic qualities we all hope to instill in our children; fearlessness, confidence, enthusiasm, curiosity, and loyalty. Her zest for life and sense of adventure are the catalysts for the story. It is not until she ventures into the 'human world' that she falters. However, empowered with an inner strength nurtured by her mother, she's not down for long. P.J. bounces back in a BIG way to take charge of the situation and as a result, saves the day. The story reminds kids of their importance, to be their own person and to think for themselves. Though small in size, they're capable of monumental achievements. This book is a complete package. The story unique and the narrative delightful with a wry comical undertone, and a lyrical sense to its rhyming scheme. The colorful illustrations visually support the story with their whimsical sensibility. The cd single included, 'How to be Strong', is an inviting ode that once again repeats the theme of a child's validity in the face of life's many challenges. Penelope Jane will quickly become a favorite before bedtime, but more importantly, in adulthood, will be spoken of and remembered. The resonance of the story and the childhood memories will undoubtedly create a link between them and their children, and their grandchildren, and their great-grand children...

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 21, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)
500 character limit