Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble

by Briony May Smith

Join Tiny Jenny, a mischievous fairy born to a family of wrens, as she sets out to find her "real" family.

Mr. and Mrs. Wren are surprised when a tiny, wingless fairy hatches from one of their eggs...but they lovingly name her Tiny Jenny and raise her as their own. 

Tiny Jenny--like all fairies--grows to be a menace in the woods. She digs up squirrel nuts and blocks mole hills. The other forest creatures are not happy. So Tiny Jenny decides it is time to leave her home and seek out her real fairy family. 

But it turns out the fairies are anything but welcoming!

Oh, where does Tiny Jenny truly belong?

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fairies, Animals, Nature, Fairy Tales

Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juste adorableee 😍✨

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mr. And Mrs. Wren were very surprised when a baby fairy hatched from one of their eggs."

At first the other animals were worried - fairies can be a lot of trouble. However, when Owl pointed out that she wasn't a true fairy yet (no wings), the Wren family made their decision.

The Wrens looked lovingly at their baby and replied, "We'll raise her as our own..."

And thus began Tiny Jenny's lively, playful and (yes, a bit) mischievous childhood.

As she grew older, she began to notice differences between herself and her family...and while she still loved them dearly, she began to wonder, what it would be like to be with people like her. What it would be like to fly.

But she should have been careful what she wished for...

Overall, I was rather impressed by this one - to be honest, I'm always impressed by Briony May Smith. I've read her version of Heidi and have been reeling ever since. Truly amazing.

Briony did such a great job with all of the characters - both in their design and in the expressions that they wore in every scene.

I often just needed a few seconds to just stare at the pages, to take on all the wonderful detail and hidden gems. The woodland critters, the clever little houses and people...arg. It was so beautiful.

I adored Tiny Jenny - so cute and fierce and tiny! She was the absolute star of the show, though I did also adored all of the sweet animals and beautiful backgrounds.

Definitely one of the best picture books I've read all year!

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jenny was born in a wren's nest and doesn't have wings. As she grows, she causes all kinds of mischief, and the woodland animals are displeased. She runs away to join the real fairies, but since she doesn't have wings, she must prove herself. However, acting like the fairies doesn't feel right, especially when they bully her friends. Little Jenny must make a decision that might cost her any chance of getting her own set of wings.

The illustrations are absolutely delightful, and the plot is thoughtful and well-paced. Little Jenny's character as a troublemaker didn't quite convince me, and her choice at the end wasn't very powerful, but perhaps that made her character more likable overall.

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

These illustrations are second to none. 🥰😍

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is a 3.5 for me. Fairies tend to be mischievous, and Tiny Jenny is no exception to that rule. Born to a family of wrens, the wingless little fairy never grows very much; in fact, she is only as tall as a toothpick. But her size has nothing to do with the trouble she causes the other animals. She bothers them in various ways, prompting complaints to Mr. and Mrs. Wren. With her feelings hurt, Little Jenny searches for others like her, eventually finding the fairies. But despite their attractiveness and their wings, they turn out to be rude, mean, and dishonest. Plus, the fairy queen keeps getting her name wrong. After circumventing their attack on the Wren family and refusing to join the fairies, after all, Tiny Jenny destroys their hopes of returning to the area by munching on the mushrooms that form a fairy ring. The mixed media illustrations are color-saturated, rendered in a variety of sizes, spot art, full-page art, double-page spreads, and even images that go across the gutter, filled with plentiful greens and browns and incredible detail that showcase the kindness of the wrens, Tiny Jenny's spunky personality, and the disreputable fairy band. It's interesting to see fairies depicted in a less than positive light in a book for children. I had always regarded them as positive until encountering books for teens and adults that showed them in a different light.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. and Mrs. Wren were very surprised when a baby fairy hatched from one of their eggs.
The wrens loved her and raised her as one of their own. But she had a tendency to be a bit mischievous. When the other animals complained to the Wrens, Tiny Jenny was shocked to learn she was not a bird; she was a fairy and she had been born without wings! Owl suggested she find other fairies to help her answer some of her questions. Tiny Jenny finally locates a fairy ring and summons the fairies but... they are haughty and spiteful and not very nice. And no one can remember her name. When they threaten the Wren family, Tiny Jenny has had enough so she bravely stands up to the Queen and defends her found family.

I have enjoyed Smith's other books and really like this one, also! Tiny Jenny is quite feisty for a little fairy without wings. And she is surrounded by a family of wrens that truly love her. I wonder if her wings will ever appear? If not, I'm sure her siblings will continue to let her fly on their backs!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

English author Briony May Smith is back with her third book. This "fairy" tale tales the tale of Little Jenny a wingless fairy who is born into a family of wrens. As she grows up, her behaviors draw judgment from others in the forest. Little Jenny goes off in search of other fairies so she can fit in better but doesn't quite like what she finds in the fairy community. Her strong actions cause the fairies to leave her behind as she is rediscovered by her wren family. Her differences seem to matter less. Smith illustration shows luscious forest scenes which overwhelm the small girl as she tries to find her way in the world.

[Vanessa Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

La petite fée des bois 🧚‍♀️🌲

Mini Mily est une petite fée sans ailes née dans un nid d'oiseaux. Mais au fil du temps, sa différence avec les autres animaux de la forêt se fait sentir. Elle décide donc de partir à la recherche de fées qui puissent l'aider à avoir ses ailes.

Cet album est merveilleux, l'histoire est magique. Les dessins nous plongent dans l'univers fantastique de la forêt et de ses habitants. On est émerveillés à chaque page qui se tourne. Et surtout Mini Mily nous prouve que l'herbe n'est pas plus verte ailleurs et que très souvent, tout ce dont on a besoin est juste là sous nos yeux.

[Bridgette A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe Briony May Smith, had written this book for children who feels out of place with their race, being amongst a race of people differ from theirs. Another, is when a child has challenges with their height, they can be much shorter than a large amount of children in their class. However, we have children who are foster children or who have been adopted, being obvious because of no resemblances amongst other family members. Reading this book to those who described, will change their hearts from being dismayed to feeling their acceptance of their being.

[Ellen Slanczka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble by Briony May Smith, is a beautifully illustrated story about a mischievous, wingless fairy born into a Wren family. The forest animals complain to Mr. and Mrs. Wren about Tiny Jenny and her antics. Tiny Jenny decides to find her real fairy family, but when she does, they are mean, thieves, and not a family Tiny Jenny wants to be a part of.
Something to consider when choosing who to read it to. Briony uses older language, and the text is longer than the typical picture book.

[Stellar Nursery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous story! It's not often I feel like I need to immediately write a review, but this picture book is fun and exceptionally well-crafted, with enough twists to subvert the nostalgic (and beautiful) fairytale setting. The lush details of each scene recall Victorian illustrations without diving into schmaltz. My kids were engrossed, and I plan to purchase a copy of our own.

[Riley Gullett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and I loved the creativity/storyline, however, it was long for a picture book so I believe this is directed toward more an older elementary class if they are reading on their own, a little too long to read to the entire class where the students get disinterested. Other than that, super cute!

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter’s favorite book has been Margaret’s Unicorn for 2 years now, so I was delighted to discover this came out just before her seventh birthday. We loved reading this together, with its beautiful illustrations, a slightly mischievous but good hearted main character, and the loving wren family. I thought the bluebell lanterns were especially magical.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

How nice to have a picture book that acknowledges how often fairies in literature are total jerks! Tiny Jenny is mischievous and doesn't fit in with the animals who raised her. She goes looking for her real family and discovers that the other fairies are kind of horrible. The story is kind of a clash of modern and classic sensibilities, with illustrations that are pretty captivating.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the mixed media illustrations in this sweet little story. Although Jenny is wingless, she longs to have wings, and searches for the fairies to find out how to get wings. But her encounter with the winged fairies is anything but encouraging.

[moony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cet album jeunesse était vraiment trop bien. J'ai beaucoup aimé les dessins ! Les animaux sont tellement beaux ! Surtout la chouette. L'histoire est adorable et touchante. Elle est aussi très drôle.

Je compte lire les autres albums de Briony May Smith

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet read! My four year old didn't have the attention span to sit for the entire story, but my seven-year-old was engaged, though she wished that "the fairies were kinder and that their mushrooms didn't get eaten either."

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pretty illustrations! And the story is great too. Lots of talking points, and things you can point out when reading with children. I love that the illustrations are stylistic, but also realistic enough to real life animals and plants. I'd be happy to own this book.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully illustrated picture book about a wingless fairy and her true family.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book has gorgeous, detailed illustrations and a wonderfully realized setting, and the story is well-paced and engaging. This will appeal to all ages.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wordy. Fairies are jerks.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels both old-fashioned and right in step with the self-discovery and kindness lessons we are trying to instill today. I would have devoured this as a young reader.

[Élise Massé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bel album jeunesse sur le sentiment d'appartenance et la prise de position face à ses valeurs. Les illustrations sont aussi magnifiques que les autres créations de cette auteure. J'adore !

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full 5 stars for my first read of the year because it has my name in the title and to amazingly adorable! I want a whole Tiny Jen, I mean Jenny, series

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable little book about belonging! Really liked it a lot!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 147.

[stefiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could never not love Briony's book. This one is just charming!
And don't get me start with those illustrations!!!!!!
Just lovely, everything is.

[David 75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing illustrations

[Jordan Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming illustrated tale of defining one’s identity and setting boundaries. The illustrations bring to life a living forest with hidden creatures throughout.

[anahita]

i think this is a great book to help you feel like you fit in and to remind you to defend those in need even if the perpetrators are "one of you". wonderful illustrations and so whimsical