Little Daylight: A Fairy Story

by George MacDonald

At her christening, the princess, Little Daylight, receives a curse from a wicked fairy that she shall never see the sun until kissed by a prince.

Genres: Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fiction

42 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1945

About the author

George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.

Reviews

[Ruth E. R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author listed in goodreads is incorrect. The author is George MacDonald, and the story is an excerpt from his novel, At the Back of the North Wind, my favorite novel of his besides The Princess and the Goblin. This is my favorite fairy story of his. He laid the foundation not only for the best in children's literature to this day, but also the entire fantasy genre. I believe this story would make a fantastic musical, complete with a fairy tale princess who sings like an angel and dances in the moonlight.

[Leeya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of "Little Daylight" is actually an excerpt of George MacDonald's novel At the Back of the North Wind and is a beautiful reimagining of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. It can be argued that this version is even more beautiful and whimsical than the original. I, for my part, absolutely love this story and that is why I bough this beautifully illustrated hardcover version of it in addition to the novel.



The princess in this story is called Daylight and, like Sleeping Beauty, all fairies are invited to her christening. Due to a misunderstanding, one fairy is forgotten. Of course, she turns out to be an evil fairy and shows up at the christening anyway to curse little Daylight that she should indeed be little Daylight, sleeping all day and never seeing the sun, waxing and waning with the moon. The curse is mended by another fairy so that Daylight can wake all night. The curse will last until Daylight will be kissed by a prince without knowing who she is.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this short story when I had my wisdom teeth pulled many moons ago... I knew it was by George MacDonald, but I couldn't figure out what it was called (as he has other stories with Light/Daylight in the title). I was happily reunited with this sweet fairytale when I bought a collection of stories illustrated by Gennady Spirin.

In some ways it's such a simple tale: a princess is cursed to wax and wane physically with the cycle of the moon (sounds rather true to life as a woman, in some ways!) until the right person breaks the spell at the right time. The whole story embodies kindness, compassion, and sacrifice in opposition to mean-spiritedness and bitterness. I see images rather than remember phrases of the story... There is deep delight in a pure, true, generous life.

[Vincent Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book named, "Little Daylight: A Fairy Story by Erick Ingraham and George MacDonald," was a interesting book that I got to previously review with other students in the beginning of my ASU Reading 291 class. The pictures in the book can give a reader the idea of what the book subject is about in relevance to a runaway and the outcomes that has to an individual even in a realm of a fairy tale. The characters are well placed together to resemble that of the English language and it's historic culture. Yet, I enjoyed the book because it made me smile and want to be part of the fairy tale realm because of so much believe-ability in the make believe world. In conclusion, I would recommend the book for others like myself to read.

Thanks,
Vincent Reese
ASU STUDENT ID #1000897213

[Connor Kmiecik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, cute, and funny fairy tale. Sarah and I read it out loud in two sittings. George MacDonald is.....the GOAT!

It's got me thinking about humor. We laughed out lout reading this and it was published in 1871. If in 150 years someone read my tweets from college, would he think they were funny? Not that I think the modern sort of Gen Z humor is a bad thing. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm not that funny.

[Haley Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet fairy tale. Charming and Hopeful

[Caleb Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet- i can’t get enough of Macdonald’s fairytales.

[Liesl Andrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I go all these years without reading any of George MacDonald's fairy tales? They are creative and wonderful.

[Sydney Smile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, not a fan. It wasn't horrible, just not for me. The only reason it gets that extra star is I'm still obsessed with the way MacDonald writes.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Daylight has been cursed to wax and wane with the moon, but the fairies are willing to help her out as much as they can. This snarky fairy tale is beautifully illustrated and cleverly written. This was the first children's book I remember being truly impressed with, and it will always have a place on my shelves. Admittedly, as a child, I didn't have so many second thoughts about how Daylight spends all her waking hours dancing, which seems like an odd occupation, but it's a fairy story, and I love it anyway.

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are pretty amazing, just as I remembered as a child. The story is interesting as well, though. I wish we'd get a little more information after the ending, but, I guess it's all pretty easy to deduce. The relationships between people, especially the prince and Little Daylight, are/is wonderful, and frankly, set a good example, which is what fairy tales should do, right?

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice story, but also a strange story in some ways. Since I'm pretty sure that George MacDonald didn't write "just a story" but an allegory, I must admit that I'm not totally sure of its meaning. I haven't read it to the kids yet.

Learning about "Love and Immortality"

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love George MacDonald as much as I do you will appreciate this tale. And yes, this is not the work of Erick Ingraham but of MacDonald.

Just a warning, this one may put you off of the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty forever. It is so much better.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this book for as long as I can remember. It got checked out all the time from my library when I was a kid. The illustrations by Erick Ingraham are beautiful.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it love it love it--this picture book version of the story was adapted by Anthea Bell from a chapter of "At the Back of the North Wind" more more more said the baby!

[Leah Hilgendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful story :)

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to be a prince, I would like to be the one in this book.
A favorite story in my house for many years. The story is by George MacDonald delightfully illustrated by Erick Ingraham.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You kissed me when I was an old woman… I kiss you when I am a young princess.”

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculously amazing illustrations.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a nice little twist on the usual fairy tale.