I keep forgetting to review this, sadly. (I'm so sorry it took so long!)

This was a early review copy given to me through the Library Thing Early Review program. It's an adorable little book for children on how build, make, grow, and care for Fairy Gardens. It's quite adorable, sensible and practical. It gives children a very large space to stretch their minds and believe in what they'd like, without ever coming down on oneside or the other of having an opinion on that last part. I think it's a great book for kids, and for parents of fairy-loving kids, who would love to be involved with this kind of thing. ( )

Some very sweet examples of fairy dwellings in the garden. Stretched to book length with general garden photos though. ( )

Combining a love of the outdoors and gardening with a fascination with fairies, Fairy Garden Handbook is a book that inspires children (and youthful adults!) to create fairy-friendly gardens. Whether the reader is limited to a small container or an entire backyard, Liza Gardner Walsh offers helpful suggestions and tips to help the garden attract the maximum number of fairy visitors. She suggests plants to use, necessary tools, the importance of planning your garden, and accessorizing with tiny handmade chairs and tables for the fairies to use. Later chapters encourage readers to enhance the garden for other guests, like birds and butterflies, and finally helps children plan a garden tea party so that they can show off their hard work to their friends.

I think this is a fantastic book. It really encourages creativity for its readers, offering suggestions but never saying, “You must do this or use that!” I appreciated that Walsh took the time to offer suggestions for a variety of settings, recognizing that many readers may live in homes where a backyard isn’t available but still finding ways for children to develop a green thumb. She also reminds her readers throughout the book that while you can often purchase items like birdbaths or miniature furniture, it’s better to make it yourself – again, fostering that creativity and helping build interest in making.

The initial “start-up” on some of these projects will no doubt need parental assistance, as the kids learn how to care for plants and build furniture for the fairies. But after they’ve gotten the essentials down, little girls and boys (for who says boys can’t love gardening and fairies, too?) will be able to have a lot of fun on their own. It’s a delightful way to introduce gardening and inspire greater interest in spending time in the natural world with just a little fairy magic. ( )

Excellent little niche book designed for young readers and quite informative for adults as well. The little fad of fairy house making is bound to stick around for some time, and all aspects of creating, growing, decorating are collected here with lots of photos and just the right suspension of belief. ( )

This book is so cute. It is full of plant recommendations, well-organized by purpose (attracting butterflies, scent, etc.). In the main container garden and outdoor sections, the book offers suggestions as to what fairies might do with each flower or plant, which I can definitely see passing along to my daughter. There are instructions for several types of garden projects, both indoor and outdoor, as well as a fairy tea party. I love this book. If you have a daughter who likes fairies, or gardening, it will lead to many hours of fun, and make the garden look nicer too! ( )