The Very Fairy Princess Sparkles in the Snow

by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Overview

From the mother-daughter team of musical icon Julie Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamiltoncomes another tale of Very Fairy Princess Geraldine, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series,who is ready for the most WONDERFUL Winter Wonderland festival ever!

The Winter Wonderland Festival is just around the corner, and Gerry knows this is her moment to SHINE. She's the most enthusiastic singer around, so she's certain her music teacher will choose her to perform the solo. She takes every opportunity to show him her VERY best voice-during rehearsal, during lunchtime, and even during recess. When a professional singer is given the solo instead, Gerry is crushed...but as the snow begins to fall, she finds a way to get her SPARKLE back!   The mother-daughter team of Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton adds a sparkly seasonal story to their #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316401005
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Series:	Very Fairy Princess Series
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Julie Andrews has a legendary career that encompasses the Broadway and London stages, as well as multiple films, television shows, album releases, concert tours, directing assignments, and the world of children’s publishing. In 2000 the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire was bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II for lifetime achievements in the arts and humanities. She was married to film director Blake Edwards for forty-one years, and the couple have five children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She invites you to visit her online at @julieandrews on both Instagram and Twitter.

Emma Walton Hamilton is an award-winning writer, producer, and arts educator. Together with her mother, Julie Andrews, she has written over thirty-five books for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series, Waiting in the Wings, and The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi. Her first book of poetry, Door to Door, was published in 2022. Emma is a longtime faculty member of Stony Brook University’s MFA in Creative Writing and invites you to visit her online at @ewhamilton on both Instagram and Twitter.

Editorial Reviews

08/26/2013
In the fifth picture book starring the ever-sparkly Geraldine, this self-proclaimed fairy princess again faces a minor disappointment that she turns around with ingenuity and positivity. This time, it’s the Winter Wonderland Festival that is causing Geraldine a bit of anxiety. She’s certain her music teacher will choose her to sing a solo (“He always says I am the most ENTHUSIASTIC singer in our school”), but when a professional guest soloist is brought in, will Geraldine still get a chance to shine at the festival? Even though the story arc may be rather familiar to fans at this point, Geraldine continues to radiate energy and confidence. Ages 3–6. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Very Fairy Princess:
#1 New York Times bestselling series!

"The mother-daughter team successfully demonstrates an understanding of that magical stage of childhood in which determination, desire and dreams can transform reality." —Kirkus Reviews

"Geraldine radiates noblesse oblige, heedless energy, and a sense of destiny—she's Eloise crossed with Hillary Clinton." —Publishers Weekly

"[Geraldine] lets kids know it's not necessary to be prim and proper to be a 'real' princess; princesses who just want to have fun will find plenty of that here." —Booklist

Praise for The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage:

"Davenier's expressive illustrations match Geradline's energy and mood on every spread, fluidly conveying the heroine's lovable imperfections." —Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Very Fairy Princess: Graduation Girl!:

"Davenier's lithe illustrations infuse the story with warmth and quiet emotion; Andrews's and Hamilton's heroine continues to charm." —Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Very Fairy Princess: Attitude of Gratitude: 

"Readers will have no trouble coming up with ways to incorporate a bit of gratitude into their lives, and Gerry's breezily confident narration and Davenier's airy artwork are as appealing as ever." —Publishers Weekly

"Exudes optimism and cheerfulness...a touch of sass adds humor to the gentle story." —The Washington Post

From the Publisher

09/01/2013
PreS-Gr 1—Spunky Geraldine is certain that she will be chosen to sing solo at the Winter Wonderland Festival. To make Mr. Higginbottom's decision easier, she steps forward just a little during chorus rehearsal and sings in her best (loudest) voice. She also sings outside her music teacher's door during lunch and underneath his window at recess. Geraldine is crushed when he announces that a professional will be the guest soloist. However, "Fairy princesses know how to take a frown and turn it upside down," and on the morning of the concert, Geraldine is excited and ready to perform. Because of a snowstorm, though, the guest soloist can't get to the event on time. Luckily, "Fairy princesses are ALWAYS happy to lend a hand in a crisis," and the child volunteers to substitute for her. Even with a shoe mishap, the concert is fabulous and is followed by a family sleigh ride. The lively, ink and colored-pencil illustrations capture Geraldine's spirit well. One can never have too many princess books, and this one is better than most.—Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI

School Library Journal

★ 2013-09-15
Geraldine returns in her fifth adventure with as much "sparkle" as ever. She is preparing to sing at the Winter Wonderland Festival and hopes she will be the star of the concert. Andrews and Hamilton tell the tale in first person from Geraldine's charmingly spirited point of view. Her excitement about the upcoming event and her hoped-for part in it is delivered with a peppering of exclamatory sentences: "I get to sing with the chorus!" and "I am the most ENTHUSIASTIC singer in our school!" She would love to be chosen to sing the solo, but her bubble is burst when Mr. Higginbottom announces that a professional singer will be performing the cherished part. Her family attempts to cheer her up, and she gets ready for the big day. When a snowstorm keeps the guest singer from arriving on time, this princess is ready--"Fairy princesses are ALWAYS happy to lend a hand in a crisis." As she is about to go on stage, Geraldine realizes she has left her dress-up shoes at home. Big boots won't do and neither will her mismatched socks with one big toe poking out. A last-minute decision to paint purple ballet slippers on her socks at first leads to anxiety, but her princesslike poise swells with the music and "[s]uddenly [her] sparkle comes RUSHING back." Davenier deftly illustrates all the drama in ink and colored pencil. Readers will cheer this princess's gumption and almost unfailing optimism as she navigates disappointment and a momentary case of stage fright. Kids are sure to applaud this encore performance. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews