Fairies and Elves

A tiny glint of light floats on the breeze up ahead. A soft patter of laughter coaxes you to follow it, just over the hill to the edge of the woods. It must be your friend. But by the woods, the shadows fall. The trail you've been following seems now a tangle of brush, and the wind turns cold. Suddenly, laughter rings out, loud and harsh. You've been warned of the fair folk in these woods.

For hundreds of years, people all over the world have told stories about fairies and elves. Some of these creatures are tiny charmers, like Tinker Bell. Some rule powerful realms, like Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings. Others weave terrible spells. Learn all about these magical beings who have fascinated people since ancient times.

A tiny glint of light floats on the breeze up ahead. A soft patter of laughter coaxes you to follow it, just over the hill to the edge of the woods. It must be your friend. But by the woods, the shadows fall. The trail you've been following seems now a tangle of brush, and the wind turns cold. Suddenly, laughter rings out, loud and harsh. You've been warned of the fair folk in these woods.

For hundreds of years, people all over the world have told stories about fairies and elves. Some of these creatures are tiny charmers, like Tinker Bell. Some rule powerful realms, like Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings. Others weave terrible spells. Learn all about these magical beings who have fascinated people since ancient times.

Children's Literature

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between elves and fairies? Most world cultures have some tale of the little people, fair folk, or Lhiannan-shee, although historical views of these fictional creatures varied greatly. Some cultures believed that fairies and elves were nearly human size, while others believed they were so small they were invisible. Some people believed fairies had a helpful and kind nature, and other people left warnings of mischievous beings that would lure a person to his death. The book explains how fairy tales developed and who originally spread many of the tales. Furthermore, it delves into superstitions about fairies and elves. This delightful, short book explains what people long ago thought happened to those who disappeared or seemed to have something wrong with them. This book looks at fairy scams and how our view of fairies has changed over the years. Finally, the author lists some other books, movies, games, and websites that include fairies and elves that may lead readers to further investigation. Reviewer: Jennifer Mitchell

Shannon Knudsen has written books for young readers about elephants, mayors, the explorer Leif Eriksen, the reporter Nellie Bly, and many other topics. She lives with her cat and her dog in Tucson, Arizona. When she isn't writing, she likes to explore the desert and see how many of its plants and animals she can name.