Zeee

by Elizabeth Enright

Zeee, a fairy whose homes are always destroyed by careless people, continually takes revenge on the hated humans until she is befriended by a little girl who is the only person who can see her.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Elizabeth Wright Enright Gillham was an American writer of children's books, an illustrator, writer of short stories for adults, literary critic and teacher of creative writing. Perhaps best known as the Newbery Medal-winning author of Thimble Summer (1938) and the Newbery runner-up Gone-Away Lake (1957), she also wrote the popular Melendy quartet (1941 to 1951). A Newbery Medal laureate and a multiple winner of the O. Henry Award, her short stories and articles for adults appeared in many popular magazines and have been reprinted in anthologies and textbooks.
In 2012 Gone-Away Lake was ranked number 42 among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience. The first two Melendy books also made the Top 100, The Saturdays and The Four-Story Mistake.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, two questions: Why does Zeee always choose to live someplace near humans, if they keep wrecking her home? And why is it ok that the first thing Pandora does is take away Zeee's name and call her Hope? I mean, ok, Greek myth, fine, but there's been no indication yet that Zeee wants a new name.

Too long for most tots, but satisfying for children nearer to Zeee's perpetual age, exactly 8 1/2. Beautifully written... the way Enright describes why dogs are annoying is perfect. Funny and adventurous. Illustrations by Gaber are both lovely and amusing. Would make a good Pixar movie.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really fond of Enright's chapter books, and couldn't resist checking this title out when I found out that she wrote this picture book as well. Written in 1968 it does show some dating. A fairy and her homes are constantly disrupted by people to the extent that she really hates them. Her animal friends use revenge to pay back the people, which one wouldn't likely see in a picture book today. In the end a child befriends the fairy and she becomes accepting of people, having met one who helped her and gave her a home.

The story is a bit odd, but the illustrations by Susan Gaber were colorful and engaging.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to think about this story. A spoiled bad fairy (Zeee) who has been 8 1/2 years old for a hundred years, and hates humans with a passion? And then suddenly a little girl (the only human to ever see Zeee) is kind to the fairy and she decides she likes humans after all? That seems a bit sudden.

On the other hand, complete changes of heart are possible. Since I just don't know, I'm going to err on the positive side, and give this 3 stars.

The edition I borrowed from the library has wonderful illustrations, done by Irene Haas.

[Leah Coffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honestly a bit disappointed when Zeee stopped hating people - I loved her revenge plots. That said, this is a book I remember fondly from my childhood that has stood up over time.

[Jennie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite childhood books, I cannot understand the readers who don't like the book--other than to say that they don't have much of a sense of humor, or a dark side. Zee is deliciously naughty and doesn't apologize for it; she's brave, self-reliant, proud, all the things 8 and a half little girls ought to be--except maybe for being rude--but it's good for little girls to see another one being strong, and think, hey I might be a little like Zee, too. And when she meets the girl, who's able to see her like no-one else can, girls who don't feel understood--like so many do--can imagine that maybe they can let someone see themselves be seen. Zee's a fun book and a good role model to boot.

[Dee Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the original illustrations. For those puzzled by book, an explanation of its inspiration can be found in knowing that Enright's uncle was architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whose home Taliesin was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Wright's modern style designed to fit into landscape is alluded to in description in Enright's book SPIDERWEB FOR TWO of new home built for old friend of Melendy family.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish the library had the version illustrated by Irene Haas. I imagine that would be much lovelier, and it's really the illustrations I wanted to see.

The story is meh. But the descriptions of the fairies little life are really nice and to see them illustrated by someone with a sweeter style would be nice.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first edition, with the perfect illustrations, this is a perfect children's book about a fairy trying to find a home. She is a bad fairy, and proud of it. Also,lonely and brave. A formative book.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Who are you?" said the Person, and she said it quietly because she was astonished, and she smiled with joy because what she had always suspected was true, though everyone had told her it wasn't. There was magic in the world, after all.

[Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Zeee no le dijo de inmediato que se sentía feliz, que no sabía que había estado sola hasta que ya no lo estaba"