Dialogue is enchanting and engrossing, July 21, 2009

By	MotherLodeBeth “MotherLodeBeth” (Sierras of California)

Over the years I have acquired a number of books on fairies, with most having a French, Scottish, Irish and Scandinavian view. So when this book crossed my path I was intrigued.

Mostly because it was both whimsical as well as different because the illustrations are hot bright and crisp like many books on the subject.The colours are more subdued and with a variety of dark browns, black, reds etc.

The dialogue is enchanting and engrossing and when read to a child will hold their attention. And the fairies discussed are like none I have ever encountered before which gives it added appeal.

A delightful romp through the land of the fairies, July 22, 2009

By	Charles Ashbacher “(cashbacher@yahoo.com)” (Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com)) –

“…the action is reminiscent of Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”

In the mind of a child, imaginary friends are a staple of development and socialization. It is all to the better if those friends do good things in aiding the environment and whisper sound advice into the ears of an uncertain child. In this book, Dane uses her childlike imagination to “create” a set of many different kinds of fairies that young Ashley encounters. Some of their roles are:
*) Button fairies
*) Mud puddle fairies
*) Teacup fairies
*) Sock fairies
*) Soup ladle fairies
*) Attic fairies
*) Fire and chimney fairies
Presented in a slightly madcap fashion, the action is reminiscent of Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland” where the fairies have eccentricities that make them act like a childhood conception of a fairy would act. Furthermore, Ashley’s actions are those typical of a child with a strong imagination, her interactions with the fairies present her with some eccentricities of her own. The actions are too advanced for very young children, however those approximately 4 and above will be delighted by the romp through the land of the fairies.

(5 out of 5 stars) The Kid in Me

“This book opened my eyes to fairies I didn’t know exist”

The kid in me was thrilled that she got to come out and play again. When I picked up Sheila Dane’s book, Fairy Hunters, Ink. I was sure I was in for some fun. She has described a world that most adults forget exists. The world of fairies has intrigued young and old alike for centuries. This book opened my eyes to fairies I didn’t know exist, like the mud puddle fairy or the hanger fairy. Now I have an excuse when my oversized tops fall off of the hangers. I know it is the hanger fairies playing around and not my lack of proper hanging. The illustrations created by Rose Csorba add another depth to this book. I had to read the book through without the pictures the first time and then go back and look at all of the wonderful details in the pictures the second time. Trying to do both at the same time was distracting. This is a must read for everyone who loves fairies no matter what the age.

(5 out of 5 stars) Very cute for young and old alike, July 23, 2009

This was a delightful book full of fantastical fairy illustrations. I wished as I read it that I had a child here to share it with me. I know a couple who are going to love it.

A child (or not so grown-up adult) would find this very amusing. It has stories about Chimney Fairies, Blue Bottle Fairies, Mud Puddle Fairies, Sock Fairies, even Book Fairies, and many others. It’s a very fun book and the author has a sequel in the works.

(5 out of 5 stars) Magical!, July 29, 2009

Join Ashley, Laura, Turtle, and Big Rabbit on their adventures of looking for fairies!

Make sure you “pepper” Ashley before you get started. She needs to shake out all the mischief that her fairy whispers in her ear time to time.

Fairies are everywhere! You just have to know where to look.

Sock Fairies – You know those socks you can never find a match for? Well, the odds are a sock fairy has made a home in one. And if it has a hole in it, all the better! With a hole they have easier access in and out of the sock.

Button Fairies – Button fairies will party in your closet if you let them, so make sure your buttons are sewed on tight!

Blue Bottle Fairies are my favorite. The fairies are tinged blue, but they are constantly rubbing the glass of the bottle; shining it up so they can see their reflection.

There are all sorts of other fairies entrancing [the] book. You have to believe to see! The illustrations are beautiful

(5 out of 5 stars) Fairy Time, July 20, 2009

B. Davis “crazy about books” (Idaho USA)

Childhood is a magical time, when it’s still easy to believe in fairies and make-believe places. And for some adults, we are still mesmerized by fantasy characters and the images that go with them.

Sheila A. Dane has written just such a book. It’s filled with fairy adventures and whimsical illustrations by Rose Csorda.

Some chapters which are included are:
*Teacup Fairies
*Turtle Makes A Discovery
*Attic Fairies
*Flute Fairies
*The Clothes Hanger Fairies
*River Fairies
*Ashley discovers a Mud Puddle Fairy
*How we found a Picnic Fairy and a Picnic Gremlin

The book’s size reminds me of a child’s coloring book with large print and illustrations to match. A child would be very comfortable with the format and fascinated with the stories

A Great Read for All Ages!, July 25, 2009

By	Faithfulgirl www.molcotw.blogspot.com “Faithf… (Atlanta, GA) –

Have you ever wondered what happens to your socks while in the washer? Or why they develop holes? Have you ever wondered why your clothes fall off clothes hangers? What about the times when you’ve picked up your book to find that you’ve lost your place? These things don’t “just happen”, they are helped along with fairies!

Sheila Dane along with illustrator Rose Csorba have done a beautiful job of explaining the different types of fairies in the world. Of course they have the help of Ashley, Big Rabbit, Turtle and friends in telling the story as well. I struggled with getting into the book but once I did, I found it very enlightening and an overall enjoyable read. The fairies are beautifully depicted, although not like I would have imagined them! I’ve had the wrong impression of fairies for many years I guess.

This book is fairly fast reading. I’m sure I would have read it faster had it not been in e-book format but I still enjoyed it. I intend on reading it to my children one day. I started it on vacation and read it mostly while they were sleeping (the only time I really get to read these days!). While this book is a continuous story of Ashley and friends finding new fairies, I can see how this book could also be called a short story book. Each story could be individual in and of itself. I do believe that the short stories or chapters would make excellent reading for a new reader. There are a few “big” words in there (even some I had to look up) but it would be an educational venture for the reader.

My favorite part of the book was the ending. I thought it very creative and original. I’ll not say anymore about it. You’ll just have to read the book!

(5.0 out of 5 stars) ‘Sometimes the World looks more interesting upside down.’- July 25, 2009
By Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)
(TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

“…a book that should become wildly popular, both as an addition to the libraries of enlightened children of all ages and as one of the more interesting and useful gifts for all occasions! Highly Recommended.”

Sheila A. Dane is responsible for opening some fascinating windows into the shamelessly imaginative world of fairies (oops, Fairies! with a capital F). A writer with a flair for narrative as well as a keen predisposition for investigative work, Dane has composed an endless entertainment for wide-eyed children who remain fresh to discover explanations for the phenomena around them (with a hefty dollop of make-believe) – and for adults who have retained that important part of their memorized past when they were children.

From the author, these words explain the nidus for this book: ‘Three years ago, I met a young girl named Ashley. She loved wearing my capes (I am fond of drama in my wardrobe, so I have lots of capes) and I loved her intrepid spirit. She rides horses, does gymnastics, and swims like a fish. She is braver than most adults I know. So I wrote her a book. This is the first one. It won’t be the last one and I hope the next one is as true to her spirit as the first one is. I hope you believe in magic too. A day without magic is a dreary place, indeed.’ This and other bits of information can be found on the website www.fairyhunters.net.

And so begins this adventure lead by narrator Laura, five-year-old Ashley, Big Rabbit, and Turtle and a ‘cast of thousands’ that includes animals and plants and pockets and other places – all inhabited by particularly gifted fairies. With them as guides we discover the ‘real reasons’ for those frequent puzzling events of our lives, reasons tied to particular fairies whose provinces can include myriad places that often cause finger to brow questions of ‘how did that happen?’.

Accompanying Sheila A Dane’s magical tales and explanations of the unknown are truly wonderful illustrations by the gifted Rose Csorba, an artist with the uncanny ability to actually see the Fairies so well that she can paint portraits of them! Together Dane and Csorba have given us a book that should become wildly popular, both as an addition to the libraries of enlightened children of all ages and as one of the more interesting and useful gifts for all occasions! Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, July 09

(5 out of 5 stars) Fairy Hunters, Ink – A Surprising Delight, July 22, 2009

“It reminds the reader of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland…”

Fairy Hunters, Ink. is about the adventures of Ashley, Big Rabbit, Turtle and our narrator who occupies quite a bit of the ever precocious Ashley’s time. The narrator at one time calls herself an almost Sorceress, but that may have to do with her ability to keep Ashley entertained. In this lovely book, we meet many fairies of all persuasions, as well as a gremlin or two. You see, Fairy Hunters are just what the name intends, finders of fairies. Ashley and her cohorts seem to find them everywhere, but you have to look very hard and sometimes a very long time to discovers the wonders of fairydom. In this wistful fantasy book, we meet many types of fairies who all are very particular and can be very mischievous. A few of the fairies we meet are:

Button Fairies – who like to sneak loose buttons
Basket Fairies – who live in baskets and are very shy
Pocket Fairies – who live in pocket and can look quite a mess with pocket fuzz
Teacup Fairies – who don’t actually live in teacups, fear of being swallowed
Blue Bottle Fairies – who mostly just like to look at their reflections
Soup Ladle Fairies – who love to slide around in ladles
Chimney Fairies – who live in and look like soot
Fire Fairies – who play Dodge ball with fire balls, and they want to be hit
Attic Fairies – who may be mistaken for dust bunnies

There are more fairies to be found between the pages and a couple of gremlins too who like nothing better than to change your plans for the day. Sneaky little buggers that can make you think that it’s all your idea and all the while whispering in your ear.

Fairy Hunters, Ink by Sheila Dane is a large book filled with wonderful illustrations of fairy imaginings. It reminds the reader of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland as well as other fairy tales found in children’s literature. It would be a perfect way to spend time with young children, beautifully colorful pictures to keep their attention that flows together nicely with whimsical tales of fairies, a rather large rabbit who enjoys a good carrot, and turtle who happens to be very slow, but very kind. Imagine portraying these sweet characters for those too young to read, awaking their imaginations to the world of fantasy. What a great way to spend the lazy days of summer when it’s too hot to head outside or a blizzardity winter afternoon. This book could very well fall into the category of YA fantasy as well.

Dottie “avid reader” (Central Illinois)

(5.0 out of 5 stars) Not just for kids…, July 21, 2009, By Allison

“This book is funny, intriguing, and a must-read… The stories will really takes you to another world, if you let them… I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old, skeptic or believer.”

Have you ever wondered how the clothes in your closet sometimes end up on the floor? Or why your books never seem to be where you thought you left them? Fairy Hunters, Ink answers those questions and more throughout the delightful adventures of the narrator (Laura), five-year-old Ashley, Big Rabbit, and Turtle.

Don’t assume you won’t enjoy this book just because it’s for kids. That would be like… well, not believing in fairies just because you can’t see them! Come on, what other explanation is there for all those missing socks?

This book is funny, intriguing, and a must-read for anyone who needs to know what foods different fairies want! The stories will really takes you to another world, if you let them. It is also filled with charming, colorful illustrations (in case you can’t imagine a Basket Fairy skating on marbles), which are always fun to look at and good for a smile.

I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old, skeptic or believer.