An incredible book. I actually missed being able to review this on NetGalley myself but loved the other reviews so much that I purchased a copy. It's an exquisite book that would make a stunning gift for any fairy or natural world lover. I really enjoyed it as an adult. My daughter is only 5 and loves me to read bits to her and spending time enjoying the stunning illustrations. It's a book that will be on our bookshelf for years to come.

Cute little book that I will be gifting to the many young ones in my life for christmas as im sure they will enjoy it. it reminds me of other books that i had in my childhood of a similar these meaning that these books will never get old.

This is a really beautiful and stunning book about fairies, which was written by an explorer for her niece. The book is wonderfully illustrated and has detailed writing about all different types of fairies, where they live, how they survive and how they interact with plants, animals and their environment.

I loved this book and I learned a lot from it. I highly recommend it and I will read it again with my daughter.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like as a child I would have loved this book, and I do think many kids will enjoy this title. Having said that as an older reader I would have loved to see more of Elsie's story (or her niece) explored. it also felt a little confusing when for example the countries and their fairies were listed, but then later in the book even more varieties of fairies were referenced. But again, that's probably more an element of reading through an adult lens and it is doubtful that children will have the same concerns.

This book was so beautifully presented and every page was just as visually stunning as it was informative.
This book looks at the history of fairies and what the narrator has learnEd about them.
It is the type of book I would have loved when I was a younger reader including helpful lists like what to look out for when looking to find fairies yourself.
I also enjoyed how this book touched on topics of the world today such as habitat destruction as human use the land for their own gain.
I would highly recommend this book and imagine it looks even more stunning on printed paper.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children’s Book for the advanced copy in return for an honest review,

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘A Natural History of Fairies’ compiled by Emily Hawkins and illustrated by Jessica Roux.

Publisher: “This enchantingly illustrated natural history of fairies, compiled in the 1920s by the botanist Professor Elsie Arbour for her niece, is now unveiled for readers of today.”

This is a beautifully presented volume that would be ideal for children fascinated by fairies. It is stated as suitable for readers aged 6-10, though I feel that it might also appeal to younger children and could easily be read to them by parents or care-givers.

The hardback volume has a gold foil–embossed cloth cover, a ribbon marker, and sprayed gold edges. It contains many sketches and precise notes that details the secret life of fairies and their important role in the natural world.

Professor Elsie Arbour is a very down-to-earth scientist, who dismisses any aspects of fairies linked to magic or folklore. To her, they are tiny winged mammals with a strong connection to the natural world.

The notebook details her travels throughout the world in search of different types of fairies. There is great diversity in the habitats she visits, moving outside of Europe into various regions including the artic, jungle and desert. She includes entries on their life cycle, feeding, language, and relationship to other creatures as well as other aspects of faerie natural history.

The illustrations are lovely with great attention to detail and a somewhat old fashioned feel to them that creates a sense of the 1920s era.

In a final letter to her niece, Annabelle, Professor Arbour expresses her dismay at witnessing the burning of the Amazon rainforest and the effect that it is having upon the habitats of the rare hummingbird fairies of the region. She suggests keeping the existence of fairies a secret to protect them from curiosity seekers. A hundred years on and one wonders if they can still be found in the quiet places of the world.

An imaginative work that is bound to delight its young readers and hopefully will inspire them to appreciate nature in all its wonder and listen carefully for the flutter of delicate wings.

A Natural History of Fairies is a beautiful study of the secret life of fairies. Based on a journal compiled by Professor Elsie Arbour and shared with her niece in the 1920’s, it is a comprehensive guide to these mystical creatures. Covering everything from their appearance to their home, diet, habits, animal companions and enemies, there is so much information to take in! Fairies from all over the world are depicted with incredible, natural beauty. This is the perfect book for anyone who keeps their eyes open for fairies when walking in the woods or sitting in the garden at dusk.
Thank you to Frances Lincoln Children’s Books & NetGalley for the chance to read this gorgeous book!

As a child, I was absolutely obsessed with fairies. I adored my Cicely Mary Barker collection (which I still have today), and it seems to me that 'A Natural History of Fairies' could easily provoke the same joy and wonder in a child.

Not only is the art beautiful enough to inspire any little girl or boy, but there are nature facts skillfully woven in so that a young reader may learn something about the world. For example, we're informed that fairies have a fused collarbone like that of a bird and that their bones are hollow to allow them to fly, and the author goes into the migratory patterns of certain fairies and birds. Similarly, it's explained how fairies have evolved defences against predators like snakes, foxes, or spiders!

Other well-done aspects worth mentioning is that this book does not solely focus on European fairies, but rather imaginatively designs fairies suited for life in Amazonian, Arctic, or Asian climates. There's such wonderful diversity in skintones for the fairies, too, so that each reader may be able to find a fairy who looks like them - which is what I always did when poring over my Cicely Mary Barker!

Flipping through this lovely book was such a nostalgic experience for me and made me want to go out and explore. For a young child or adult with a sense of imagination, 'A Natural History of Fairies' might well be the perfect gift!

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book about fairies and their history. The wonderful illustrations show all the different types of fairies, their habitats and how they would live. The book also brings in the animals and how they interact with them. This book brough back how interested I was in fairies when I was a child and it really sparked that interest so I can only imagine how it will be recieved by children. It is a very interesting book full of fantasy and imagination that held my interest and I read the entire thing in one sitting.

Rating
4⭐

Would I read it again:
Yes

Would I recommend it:
Yes

What a beautiful children's book.
When you think of books from your own childhood, you imagine something beautiful and this is just that!! I used to be fascinated with fairies as a child, and I feel like I read a book like this when I was younger. Obviously it is a brand new book, so of course I haven't - but it feels incredibly nostalgic and I have no idea why.
My favourite part was the fairies from around the world- the illustrations here were particularly creative. I also loved the guide to finding fairies - I would have loved this checklist when I was younger and would have used this to try and find the fairies around my house and garden.

The illustrations feel other-worldy and very old-fashioned, but it really suits this style of book.
I can see so many young girls (and boys!!) enjoying going through this book before bedtime.

Obviously this book is aimed at young children, but I honestly feel like anyone that believes in magic (or used to believe in magic) will absolutely adore this!! I love it as a 30 year old, but I would have devoured this as a kid!! Beautiful book!!