Katie the Kitten Fairy

The Pet Keeper Fairies #1

by Daisy Meadows

Jack Frost has stolen the Pet Fairies' magical pets! Can Rachel and Kirsty help find them? Or will the pets be lost forever?

The Pet Fairies have one of the most important jobs in Fairyland! They work with their special pets to make sure that all animals find safe homes. But now Jack Frost has stolen the magical pets! Could they be lost forever?

Katie the Kitten Fairy's kitten, Shimmer, is missing. Can Rachel and Kirsty get Shimmer back to Fairyland in purr-fect condition?

Find the magical pet in each book and help keep all the animals safe!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Magic, Chapter Books, Fairies, Middle Grade

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Daisy Meadows is the pseudonym used for the four writers of the Rainbow Magic children's series: Narinder Dhami, Sue Bentley, Linda Chapman, and Sue Mongredien. Rainbow Magic features differing groups of fairies as main characters, including the Jewel fairies, Weather fairies, Pet fairies, Petal fairies, and Sporty fairies.

Narinder Dhami was born in Wolverhampton, England on November 15, 1958. She received a degree in English from Birmingham University in 1980. After having taught in primary and secondary schools for several years she began to write full-time. Dhami has published many retellings of popular Disney stories and wrote the Animal Stars and Babes series, the latter about young British girls of Asian origin. She lives in Cambridge, England with her husband and cats.

Sue Bentley was born in Northampton, England. She worked in a library after completing her education and began writing for children once her own began school. Bentley is the author of the Magic Kitten, Magic Puppy, and S Club series and lives in Northamptonshire.

Linda Chapman has written over 50 children's fiction books, including the following series: My Secret Unicorn, Stardust, Not Quite a Mermaid, and Unicorn School. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and daughters.

Sue Mongredien was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham, England. She has published over 100 children's books, including the following series: The Adventures of Captain Pugwash, The Magic Key, Frightful Families, and Oliver Moon. She has also contributed many titles to the Sleepover Club series and written picture books. Mongredien created the Royal Ballet School Diaries under the pen name Alexandra Moss. She lives with her family in Bath, England.

Reviews

[Tim The Enchanter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the review of my 7 year old daughter, Sydney.

This book was about the cat Shimmer, the gold goblins, Kristy, Rachael and Katie the fairy. In this story the Shimmer goes missing and Kristy, Rachael and Katie are trying to find her. With their special lockets, Kristy and Rachael are able to travel to fairy land where they go on their adventure.

I gave this 5 stars because I love the cats and there are wonderful and funny parts in the book. A lot of parts make me smile. I liked to read about the goblins. Even though they are mean and mean to each other I still like to read about them because funny things happen to them.

If you are in grade 1-4 and you want to get better at reading, they will help you learn to read better. Also, if you like to read about fairies and pets, this is a good book for you to read.

DAD'S NOTES

My daughter really enjoys these Rainbow Magic books. While I have seen some people complain about the stories or structure, I am more interested in that my daughter is interested in reading them. They are simple enough that she is able to relate the story back to me in detail and at about 70 pages, they are not overwhelming. Sydney has finished grade two and is reading at her level and she is able to read these and understand the majority of words.

[Liam Johnstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter got a whole pile of these fairy books for Christmas. As an attempt to instill a love of reading, which has infected both of the younger kids, I figured I would read this book to my daughter.
I have to say, apart from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, this is probably the worst book I've read all year. Motivations aren't clear. Jack Frost wants a pet? It seems that the fairies would be better served in peace talks with Mr. Frost than in tittering in fear when goblins come to steal their animals.
And the relationship between the two heroines was not made clear to me. The book said #1 on the spine, so I assumed we'd have some sort of introduction to their characters. Either there is an earlier series that I missed out on, or this book took a very big leap and decided to drop the reader in medias res, which, I have to say, would be a bad place to leave beginning readers. Sure, it works when we're talking about the Malazan series, but if a beginning reader were trying to tackle that, I would recommend something else.
I also have to take issue with the parenting skills of the boy's dad. He looks furtively around to see if anyone is looking, then steals the cat for his son? On the say-so of a couple of other kids? That is a story that does not check out.

In all seriousness, it's a so-so story that makes very little sense, but that my youngest daughter listened to, all the way through. It's no Narnia or Prydain Chronicles, but it's a start.

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I like that they found a new home for Dusty, the cat they found in the tree. I also liked reading about another Cadee even if they spelled her name differently." -Cadee, age 7

[Greta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, let me just qualify this. . .I read this book to my daughter who loved it. I, the discriminating reader, found the use of "ly" adverbs throughout the entire book to be not the best of writing. Now, if you're 5 years old, it's a fun book (series).

[Stephanie Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia’s review: “I loved it. The kitten is the best fairy pet. My favorite part of the book was when they saved Dusty.”

[Mel Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as part of a subscription box. As a children's book (too bad I don't have a child 😁), it was a very quick read, and a cute story.
I'm now almost invested, so maybe I will mention this series to my friends with kids, so I could borrow the other books if they get them 😅

[Stella Schaefer-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cats. If this series doesn’t end with a pet choosing Jack Frost I’m gonna cry.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pet Fairies for the win! We will definitely be onto Bella the Bunny Fairy.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

sad they didn’t find the rest of the missing animals

[Aj Nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

i used to love these books when i was younger and needed to read them again to feel some joy

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Pet Fairies series by the group of author who call themselves Daisy Meadows. Our oldest is just tearing through these books and I am now picking up an entire series at a time, so she can have enough books until we go to the library again. This book was slightly different from the other series, which is refreshing as the formula is getting a bit old. Still, our daughter loves these books, which is all I could ask for.

Jan 2012 update: our youngest is now immersing herself in this series and is reading them very quickly, too. As inane as I thought they were, I love that this series is making readers of our girls. Hooray!

[Aerin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book I read to my three-year-old daughter. She chose it at the bookstore, and I told her we'd read it a little bit each night. I'm still not sure she understands that the story isn't over when we close the chapter, but she is fascinated in helping me recall the previous chapters' events each night before we move on to the next part.

There are enough pictures to keep her interest, and the plot is predictably simple. Still, to be able to read a "chapter book" to my not-yet-in-preschool daughter is an unexpected and heartwarming development in my journey as a parent. I'm thankful to Daisy Meadows for that opportunity so early.

[Shannon McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the very first book in the Rainbow Magic Series Ruby the Red Fairy, I think the series has grown into a better read. It is now more of a adventure then a watered down learning experience for young children. Not to say that there is nothing to learn from the books I just feel this has more to treasure. There is much more imagination in this beginning of the pet series.

Still for the younger end of the chapter book levels but pleasant to read.

[Abby L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, this book was an easy read. But I think it is a very good book for beginner readers and also for young children. You can't just read this book, you half to read the rest of the series. The rest of the series includes, Book Two- Bella the Bunny Fairy, Book Three- Georgia the Guinea Pig Fairy, Book Four- Lauren the Puppy Fairy, Book Five- Harriet the Hamster Fairy, Book Six- Molly the Goldfish Fairy, and last but not least Book Seven- Penny the Pony Fairy?

[Mary Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first time you read a Rainbow Fairy book you think, “Well, that was cute.” The second time, and every time after that, you feel like knocking your head against a wall. But, you keep reading because your kindergartener does the cutest little face when she asks you to, and you love reading with her.

[Madison Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first chapter book I read on my own.

If you find a kitten on the playground and you don't really want it and if there is someone else on the playground, maybe you should give it to them (if their mom and dad says it's OK).

[Kristen Gurri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Noxious but grammatically correct, unlike that attrocious Junie B. Jones yuck. And . . . Kate loves them. Sigh.

Update - it appears that even a 5 year old can recognize that these books are a pile of yuck. Hurray! The child has taste!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter loves the Rainbow Magic stories, especially now that she can read them herself. We read this one together, although I think it wasn't one of the better ones. We love those pesky green goblins!!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it because the fairies are pretty when Kirsty and Rachel go to Fairy Tale Land.

[Emma Mcpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this book. If you haven't read this one, you should because it is really good!

[Becky Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable fare but good for little girls who love fairies, animals, and kings and queens.

[Lil-ladybug · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pretty amazing adventure.

[Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has a lucky kitten. If the goblins took the kitten there would be no more kittens in the world.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fairies had to find their pet and then they had to help another pet. They found the kitten and then they helped this little tiny kitten up in a tree.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad for all those animals. What if there really were fairy's? What if this really for truly happened?

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was awesome because they saved the lost kitten.

[Diya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars!

I used to love this series in particular because I remember always feeling so bad for Jack Frost in this series because all he wanted was a fairy pet of his own, but none of them would choose him and I just thought that was so sad. But overall, this series was just so well-stylized, the concept was so simple yet still very appealing for the demographic and I just loved seeing the fairies interacting with their pets.

One major plot point I definitely forgot about was the fairy pets having all these fun powers. Here’s a list of all of Shimmer’s:
-Transforming into other animals. - Shimmer is so funny for turning into a tiger to scare that dog away and then licking his paw as if nothing happened when he transformed back, like, Katie come get your kitten back before he traumatizes every dog in Wetherbury Village.
-Changing size. - What do you mean Shimmer can shrink? That’s literally insane.
-Telekenisis? - He’s maybe definitely telekinetic because his eyes glowed and suddenly this poor man on the bench is dropping his fish sticks like, forget the fairies, fairy pet powers are where it’s at!
-Oh and of course he can talk!

My personal favourite details:
-Jack Frost sending a ransom note is so funny, I’m sorry, I’m very easily amused.
-Kirsty saying that it’s no surprise that no fairy pet wants Jack Frost is brutal, especially coming from her because she’s usually the nicer one out of the two of them.
-“It’s very important that it is that boy who rescues this kitten.” - Katie please, I can see right through you and your attempts at foreshadowing, this is clearly the boy who’s supposed to adopt the stray kitten.
-James naming his kitten Dusty because there’s still some fairy dust lingering on it and Rachel and Kirsty internally laughing was written for me specifically.
-Rachel and Kirsty linking arms at the end!
-This isn’t relevant to anyone, but if I wasn’t allergic to cats, I would get a cat and name it Shimmer.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Frost wants a pet but in Fairyland the pets are all sentient and choose their owners themselves. Jack Frost steals all the pets from the Pet Fairies; not only are the fairies sad but they cant do their job protecting lost and homeless pets on Earth. Fortunately, the pets escape to the village of Wetherbury where Kirsty lives and Rachel is staying for one week of holiday. The series ventures to some local areas (like the park and neighbours) and also to Strawberry Farm, the stables, the Spring Show etc.

There are seven Pet Keeper fairies and they are: Katie the Kitten Fairy, Bella the Bunny Fairy, Georgia the Guinea Pig Fairy, Lauren the Puppy Fairy, Harriet the Hamster Fairy, Molly the Goldfish Fairy and Penny the Pony Fairy.

"Fairies with their pets I see,

And yet no pet has chosen me!

So I will get some of my own,

To share my perfect frosty home.

This spell I cast, its aim is clear:

To bring the magic pets straight here.

Pet Keeper Fairies soon will see,

Their seven pets living with me."

[Kevin Hogg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying reading these books with my child. This is an exciting idea for a new series within the Rainbow Magic umbrella. I like the premise about Jack Frost wanting a pet. It fits with his silly/mischievous/not really evil personality.

The concern I had with this book is that the big quest seems to be essentially complete before they find out what the quest is. I think it would work as part of a compilation, as it sets up the series well, but I don't know that there was enough going on in this book to stand alone. The final part of the quest seems like a diversion from the main plot and a bit of an afterthought (not by the author, but by the fairies, if that makes sense).

I see complaints in other reviews about the writing style. It's not overly sophisticated much of the time, but I think the stories are told well despite the possible overuse of adverbs, synonyms for said, etc. The plot is fun, and it's engaging for my child, so I'm happy.

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Meadows and her fairies are my childhood. I collected so many in my youth, knowing all the fairies and their importance, and sticking with the two special girls who go to be a part of the magic.
Years ago I had to give my beautiful collection away, now still part of my childhood school where little girls are picking their favourite fairies and playing pretend. It's fun to hear stories from my old teachers telling me how over the years so many students have grabbed these books and fallen in love with the tales of two girls, Jack Frost and the fabulous glittering magic that is the fairies.
On Christmas last year, my sister surprised me with a boxset of these books, but cause you cannot collect these darlings as easily anymore. I was over the moon!
If anyone has a little one who needs a little magic in their life, wants to read and needs a big creation to be hooked on...it is Daisy Meadows!