The Secret Life of Fairies

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Described as a blend of “fairy lore and field guide,” this book
features delightful and detailed illustrations of how and where fairies
live. There are cutaway pictures that depict the interiors of rooms in
fairy houses. Most of the drawings are accompanied by explanatory notes
with arrows pointing to the items described.

The text provides a wealth of information about fairies. We learn about
the different types of fairies, as well as where they live, what they
eat, and how to behave around them. Along with the “factual”
information, the text includes a traditional fairy story and a
fairy-sighting form.

Embedded in the book’s front cover is a fairy charm that leaves the
book damaged when it is extricated. This item would have been better
packaged as a separate giveaway; it is certain to “disappear” from
library copies. Nevertheless, The Secret Life of Fairies is a charming
book that, with or without the fairy charm, is highly recommended for
public and school libraries.