What do you think?
Rate this book
Fairy Door Diaries
Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies
From the beloved author of the Judy Moody and Stink series comes the first in a sparkling series of chapter books about a girl whose love for magic and fairy folk takes her on enchanting adventures
Imagine a door.
A teeny-tiny fairy door.
Now imagine it is magic.
Open the door.
To some, the low door in Eliza’s bedroom might look like an ordinary entrance to a crawl space under the stairs. But to a believer like Eliza of the Elves, it’s the door to the Land of UnderStair, a secret hideout all her own. In that crawl space, festooned with twinkling lights, Eliza keeps her favorite book, her collections of precious items, her stuffed animals, and her new diary. And in that crawl space is another door, a teeny-tiny one that can transport Eliza to a world of tangerine sun and lemon-pudding sky, a place where flower fairies perch on every bloom and a new flower springs up whenever you pick one. But in a far corner of that world, Eliza tries to pick a strangely beautiful flower—“Nooooo!” cries her friend Poppy—and things soon go terribly awry. Can a brave, wilting Poppy rescue Eliza from beyond the hedgerow before the Demon Wind steals all the flower fairies’ scents, leaving the snapdragons with no snap? In this launch of a new series, Megan McDonald brings her well-honed flair for wordplay to delicious villains like the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna as she follows a child with a big imagination to a different fairy realm in each book. Lenny Wen’s delightful, richly colored artwork brings Eliza’s world to life with fanciful details sure to have readers creating their own cozy retreats—and visiting magical lands beyond the door.
Imagine a door.
A teeny-tiny fairy door.
Now imagine it is magic.
Open the door.
To some, the low door in Eliza’s bedroom might look like an ordinary entrance to a crawl space under the stairs. But to a believer like Eliza of the Elves, it’s the door to the Land of UnderStair, a secret hideout all her own. In that crawl space, festooned with twinkling lights, Eliza keeps her favorite book, her collections of precious items, her stuffed animals, and her new diary. And in that crawl space is another door, a teeny-tiny one that can transport Eliza to a world of tangerine sun and lemon-pudding sky, a place where flower fairies perch on every bloom and a new flower springs up whenever you pick one. But in a far corner of that world, Eliza tries to pick a strangely beautiful flower—“Nooooo!” cries her friend Poppy—and things soon go terribly awry. Can a brave, wilting Poppy rescue Eliza from beyond the hedgerow before the Demon Wind steals all the flower fairies’ scents, leaving the snapdragons with no snap? In this launch of a new series, Megan McDonald brings her well-honed flair for wordplay to delicious villains like the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna as she follows a child with a big imagination to a different fairy realm in each book. Lenny Wen’s delightful, richly colored artwork brings Eliza’s world to life with fanciful details sure to have readers creating their own cozy retreats—and visiting magical lands beyond the door.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published February 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
2792 people want to read
About the author
Megan McDonald
296 books741 followers"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 13, 2025
This was so fun! I read this to my daughter as our nightly read aloud and she didn’t want me to stop because she found the story to be fun and engaging. While it has the usual portal fantasy/fairy aspects, there was a tongue in cheek moment at the end that I think adults and older children will appreciate. The illustrations were beautiful and complemented the story in a way that kept my daughter’s attention. I’m hoping that this will be a series!
January 28, 2025
Fairy door diaries is a wonderful and positively encouraging children's fiction that takes its readers on a magical adventure. It follows Eliza of the elfs who has a secret space called the Land of UnderStair. This door leads to a magical place where there are flowers fairies and upon picking one flower other magical appears.
However, in the glee of the moment, Eliza mistakenly picks the wrong flower and things go haywire. As demon winds threaten and the two evil witches, Belladonna and Wolfsbane cackle their ploy, will everything turn back to normal?
This book was absolutely intriguing and it gave me Alice's adventure in wonderland. However with its unique storyline and memorable characters, this sweet book will definitely find its place in their hearts. The illustrations are beautifully curated and it adds an amazing charm to this story. The author is quite talented as she weaves in adventure, perils and unexpected trials while venturing into the territory of inspiring readers to never give up and be courageous while facing challenging situations and times. I loved the author's incredible creativity as she brings us this wonderful, well thought out story.
Perfect for bedtime story or a read aloud story session.
However, in the glee of the moment, Eliza mistakenly picks the wrong flower and things go haywire. As demon winds threaten and the two evil witches, Belladonna and Wolfsbane cackle their ploy, will everything turn back to normal?
This book was absolutely intriguing and it gave me Alice's adventure in wonderland. However with its unique storyline and memorable characters, this sweet book will definitely find its place in their hearts. The illustrations are beautifully curated and it adds an amazing charm to this story. The author is quite talented as she weaves in adventure, perils and unexpected trials while venturing into the territory of inspiring readers to never give up and be courageous while facing challenging situations and times. I loved the author's incredible creativity as she brings us this wonderful, well thought out story.
Perfect for bedtime story or a read aloud story session.
February 13, 2025
Fairy Door Diaries is a fun and cozy book for young readers. The narrator's reading is clear and friendly, and the voices of various characters are easily differentiated. I like the idea of a secret world Eliza can visit at will, and her dragonfly friend is a fun addition. As part of a series, it's possible we will find out more about how the magic works. but when I started this story I was convinced I missed either a previous volume or some paragraphs in this volume. I understand that chapter books for newer readers can't be too wordy, but few lines to explain how the magic is working, if Eliza has visited here before, or how she knew about the magic would help me. I loved the ending, where Eliza shared her story with her younger sister. It's a lovely way to both end this book, and set us up for more.
July 12, 2025
Loved the artwork and the premise, but the story left me confused; like other reviewers mentioned, I kept turning back a few pages thinking I was missing something/wondering if I got the second or third in a series.
Alas, this is the first book (in what I imagine will become a series), but the reader doesn't find out much about...anything, really.
Also - green, warty witches are the villains? nah
Alas, this is the first book (in what I imagine will become a series), but the reader doesn't find out much about...anything, really.
Also - green, warty witches are the villains? nah
Read
February 17, 2025This is such a fun story, and I can't wait to dive further into this series! I have only listened to the audiobook version, so I can only imagine (based on the beautiful cover) that the illustrations are probably fabulous ... but the narration by Stephanie Willing was so spot-on that I didn't really miss the artwork (although of course now I need to go get my hands on a physical copy of the book and take a look)!
The story gave me the same vibes as the PBS kids show, DragonTales that my children were obsessed with when they were young. I am certain my granddaughter (age 4) is going to love this story as much as her dad loved that show, and I can't wait to share it with her the next time I visit!
The story gave me the same vibes as the PBS kids show, DragonTales that my children were obsessed with when they were young. I am certain my granddaughter (age 4) is going to love this story as much as her dad loved that show, and I can't wait to share it with her the next time I visit!
July 19, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook!
Narrated by Stephanie Willing
Fairy Door Diaries (Flower Fairies) is a sweetly fun and imaginative adventure, with friendship and courage at its core. Great for kids that are getting into short chapter books. I will definitely be checking out a physical copy as it seems like a tale that my daughter would enjoy, particularly with illustrations.
Willing does an excellent job narrating. Her voice is soothing to begin with and very distinctive and emotive with each character encountered.
Narrated by Stephanie Willing
Fairy Door Diaries (Flower Fairies) is a sweetly fun and imaginative adventure, with friendship and courage at its core. Great for kids that are getting into short chapter books. I will definitely be checking out a physical copy as it seems like a tale that my daughter would enjoy, particularly with illustrations.
Willing does an excellent job narrating. Her voice is soothing to begin with and very distinctive and emotive with each character encountered.
February 15, 2025
This book was cute! My 6 year old is obsessed with fairies and I know she will love this. I will edit my review once she listens to it as well!
Thank you Net Galley for such a sweet story! I was not paid for this review.
“Every Fairy has a flower and every flower has a fairy” this was my favorite line. I love the imagination used for this book! I suggest parents listen before allowing their child to but it is very sweet and I hope there are more to come!
Thank you Net Galley for such a sweet story! I was not paid for this review.
“Every Fairy has a flower and every flower has a fairy” this was my favorite line. I love the imagination used for this book! I suggest parents listen before allowing their child to but it is very sweet and I hope there are more to come!
January 30, 2025
From the author that wrote the Judy Moody books, comes a brand new series filled with magic and wonder! 🌷🧚🏽♀️✨️
This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved reading when I was a little girl. The story follows Eliza who has a special little space all to herself under the stairs adorned with twinkle lights and filled with stuffed animals. To Eliza, this is a magical space called the Land of UnderStair and in that Land is another tiny door that allows Eliza to enter into a wonderful realm filled with Fairies 🌷🧚🏽♀️✨️
I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced review copy of the audiobook and I must say that the narrator did a marvelous job. Stephanie Willing had voices for each character that fit perfectly and made the story come to life in my mind even though I wasn't able to follow along with the beautifully illustrated book.
Eliza is a brave, adventurous, and curious child reminiscent of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland, Dorothy discovering OZ, and the Darling children exploring Neverland. I believe that most children and even most adults, for that matter, would love to imagine themselves in a whimsical place where we can talk to fairies and witches.
Listening to this story made my inner child so happy and excited to see what other fairy adventures would come next from this magical series 🌷🧚🏽♀️✨️
This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved reading when I was a little girl. The story follows Eliza who has a special little space all to herself under the stairs adorned with twinkle lights and filled with stuffed animals. To Eliza, this is a magical space called the Land of UnderStair and in that Land is another tiny door that allows Eliza to enter into a wonderful realm filled with Fairies 🌷🧚🏽♀️✨️
I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced review copy of the audiobook and I must say that the narrator did a marvelous job. Stephanie Willing had voices for each character that fit perfectly and made the story come to life in my mind even though I wasn't able to follow along with the beautifully illustrated book.
Eliza is a brave, adventurous, and curious child reminiscent of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland, Dorothy discovering OZ, and the Darling children exploring Neverland. I believe that most children and even most adults, for that matter, would love to imagine themselves in a whimsical place where we can talk to fairies and witches.
Listening to this story made my inner child so happy and excited to see what other fairy adventures would come next from this magical series 🌷🧚🏽♀️✨️
August 22, 2024
The magic of a fairy world comes across with sweet goodness and a little, exciting adventure, which fits great to the audience level.
Eliza has a secret. The door in her bedroom floor, which should lead to the crawl space underneath the house, opens up to a beautiful world, instead. She enjoys visiting the gorgeous landscape, especially the colorful flowers. Then, one day, she accidentally runs into a fairy...and the entire fairy world comes into sight. They are a wonderful bunch of friends, and she loves to play with them. But when one of the fairies lands behind the hedge, villains release an evil curse, one that Eliza isn't sure she can turn around.
These pages open up to a cute story about an adventurous, little girl, who just happens to cross a bit of magic. The fairies are friendly and kind, laying the foundation for a wholesome and fun read. Their personalities are just enough to pull in and have readers wishing they could slip into this world, too. When the villains enter the tale and bring a curse, it adds just the right amount of adventure to keep those pages turning. Eliza does have quite the journey, each moment adding a new level to the fantasy to make it hard to guess what is coming next. It all flows together well and rounds off at the end with the promise of more to come.
The text is great for those, who are pretty sure of their words, but might need a bit more practice before attempting middle grade novels. The chapters are not too short or overly long, giving a good reading pace the entire way through. There are many illustrations sprinkled in between the pages, which not only help keep the plot clear but add a lovely touch to the fantasy. It's fun just to look at these and dream of the story.
It's an enjoyable story with fun fantasy and is sure to especially draw in those, who dream of entering a fairy world themselves. I received a DRC, enjoyed the wholesome/imaginative tale, and am giving it 4.5 stars while rounding up.
Eliza has a secret. The door in her bedroom floor, which should lead to the crawl space underneath the house, opens up to a beautiful world, instead. She enjoys visiting the gorgeous landscape, especially the colorful flowers. Then, one day, she accidentally runs into a fairy...and the entire fairy world comes into sight. They are a wonderful bunch of friends, and she loves to play with them. But when one of the fairies lands behind the hedge, villains release an evil curse, one that Eliza isn't sure she can turn around.
These pages open up to a cute story about an adventurous, little girl, who just happens to cross a bit of magic. The fairies are friendly and kind, laying the foundation for a wholesome and fun read. Their personalities are just enough to pull in and have readers wishing they could slip into this world, too. When the villains enter the tale and bring a curse, it adds just the right amount of adventure to keep those pages turning. Eliza does have quite the journey, each moment adding a new level to the fantasy to make it hard to guess what is coming next. It all flows together well and rounds off at the end with the promise of more to come.
The text is great for those, who are pretty sure of their words, but might need a bit more practice before attempting middle grade novels. The chapters are not too short or overly long, giving a good reading pace the entire way through. There are many illustrations sprinkled in between the pages, which not only help keep the plot clear but add a lovely touch to the fantasy. It's fun just to look at these and dream of the story.
It's an enjoyable story with fun fantasy and is sure to especially draw in those, who dream of entering a fairy world themselves. I received a DRC, enjoyed the wholesome/imaginative tale, and am giving it 4.5 stars while rounding up.
July 9, 2025
Gorgeous middle-grade read! 🧚🏼♀️✨
I read and listened to this book, and the two together really bring the story to life. The narrator does a superb job of giving each character their own distinct voice, making the experience even more immersive. I absolutely adore the illustrations! I've previously read Wolfgang the Ghost by Lenny Wen and immediately fell in love with her art style. It’s the perfect match for this whimsical story!
Even if you’re not a middle-grade reader, I highly recommend picking this up just to enjoy Lenny’s gorgeous illustrations and see how well they complement the tale.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!
I read and listened to this book, and the two together really bring the story to life. The narrator does a superb job of giving each character their own distinct voice, making the experience even more immersive. I absolutely adore the illustrations! I've previously read Wolfgang the Ghost by Lenny Wen and immediately fell in love with her art style. It’s the perfect match for this whimsical story!
Even if you’re not a middle-grade reader, I highly recommend picking this up just to enjoy Lenny’s gorgeous illustrations and see how well they complement the tale.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!
February 9, 2025
A teeny-tiny fairy door.
Now imagine it is magic.
Open the door.
To some, the low door in Eliza’s bedroom might look like an ordinary entrance to a crawl space under the stairs. But to a believer like Eliza of the Elves, it’s the door to the Land of UnderStair, a secret hideout all her own. In this launch of a new series, Megan McDonald brings her well-honed flair for wordplay to delicious villains like the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna as she follows a child with a big imagination to a different fairy realm in each book.
This was such a fun children’s book. The story was very imaginative and full of wonder. The door inside the door in Eliza’s bedroom opened to a fairy world, not unlike the wardrobe door to Narnia. And the other side of it was a garden full of beautiful flowers with personality, not unlike the garden in Alice in Wonderland.
I really enjoyed Eliza’s adventure. It had great suspenseful scenes too. Listening to the audiobook, I realised I was missing out on the beautiful illustrations that the picture book would have. But even without that, the story itself was rich and magical. So glad to see this was just the first book in a series!
(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
Now imagine it is magic.
Open the door.
To some, the low door in Eliza’s bedroom might look like an ordinary entrance to a crawl space under the stairs. But to a believer like Eliza of the Elves, it’s the door to the Land of UnderStair, a secret hideout all her own. In this launch of a new series, Megan McDonald brings her well-honed flair for wordplay to delicious villains like the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna as she follows a child with a big imagination to a different fairy realm in each book.
This was such a fun children’s book. The story was very imaginative and full of wonder. The door inside the door in Eliza’s bedroom opened to a fairy world, not unlike the wardrobe door to Narnia. And the other side of it was a garden full of beautiful flowers with personality, not unlike the garden in Alice in Wonderland.
I really enjoyed Eliza’s adventure. It had great suspenseful scenes too. Listening to the audiobook, I realised I was missing out on the beautiful illustrations that the picture book would have. But even without that, the story itself was rich and magical. So glad to see this was just the first book in a series!
(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
June 6, 2025
This charming and whimsical read, reminiscent of classic children’s fairy tales, is equally strong in its plot and illustrations, which makes it a wonderful book, particularly as a bedtime story. The lyrical writing brings to life the story of Eliza as she gets transported into the world of the flower fairies. There she meets fairies that have an association with particular flowers and enjoys the wonders of beautiful flora. Readers track Eliza’s journey as she figures out how to save her friends and beloved nature from disarray when witches put a curse on them. Eliza meets a good witch who helps her save the day and heads home to share her experience with her little sister.
I absolutely adored this title and it made me feel immersed in the fairy stories that I loved as a child. Impressively, the author of the Judy Moody series crafts this lighthearted read with an engrossing mix of environmental education/appreciation, problem solving, and social-emotional values in a soothing manner. As mentioned, I think this book would be perfect for bedtime because of its coziness and dreamy atmosphere that adults and older siblings would likely also enjoy for several days as it is a chapter book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
I absolutely adored this title and it made me feel immersed in the fairy stories that I loved as a child. Impressively, the author of the Judy Moody series crafts this lighthearted read with an engrossing mix of environmental education/appreciation, problem solving, and social-emotional values in a soothing manner. As mentioned, I think this book would be perfect for bedtime because of its coziness and dreamy atmosphere that adults and older siblings would likely also enjoy for several days as it is a chapter book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
February 1, 2025
Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies, the start of a new series by Megan McDonald, is a whimsical and enchanting tale that invites readers into a miniature world of magic and mischief. Known for her beloved Judy Moody books, McDonald brings her signature charm and humor to this delightful fairy adventure.
Stephanie Willing’s narration brings the characters to life with warmth and energy, making the audiobook an engaging experience for listeners of all ages. And while the story itself sparkles with imagination, the stunning illustrations by Lenny Wen add an extra layer of magic. With intricate, dreamy artwork, Wen’s visuals perfectly capture the wonder of the fairy realm, making it a joy to flip through the pages.
A perfect read (or listen!) for young fantasy lovers, Fairy Door Diaries is a promising start to what is sure to be a captivating new series.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, the author And NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the first book of what will surely become a beloved series.
Stephanie Willing’s narration brings the characters to life with warmth and energy, making the audiobook an engaging experience for listeners of all ages. And while the story itself sparkles with imagination, the stunning illustrations by Lenny Wen add an extra layer of magic. With intricate, dreamy artwork, Wen’s visuals perfectly capture the wonder of the fairy realm, making it a joy to flip through the pages.
A perfect read (or listen!) for young fantasy lovers, Fairy Door Diaries is a promising start to what is sure to be a captivating new series.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, the author And NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the first book of what will surely become a beloved series.
February 3, 2025
Eliza has a secret hideout under the stairs. From there she goes to a world full of flower fairies.
Here are four things I loved about this first book in the series:
🌷The fairy world is brightly colored and each flower is a fairy friend. They all have their own name and personality. For Eliza, these are friends!
🐝Eliza's little sister Bee gets to hear her stories after each visit. Love the bond that will develop as Eliza shares her stories. Soon, I'm sure, Bee will get to go with Eliza.
🥀When Eliza makes a mistake and flowers start to droop, she takes steps to overcome the evil of the weeks and wind and their effects on the garden.
🎨 The illustrator paints generous and colorful illustrations for us to see Eliza's story for ourselves. I am a fan of the primary-infused palette used.
The lines between good and evil are not as neatly drawn as I would like. Will see how the series develops. Thank you to Candlewick and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Here are four things I loved about this first book in the series:
🌷The fairy world is brightly colored and each flower is a fairy friend. They all have their own name and personality. For Eliza, these are friends!
🐝Eliza's little sister Bee gets to hear her stories after each visit. Love the bond that will develop as Eliza shares her stories. Soon, I'm sure, Bee will get to go with Eliza.
🥀When Eliza makes a mistake and flowers start to droop, she takes steps to overcome the evil of the weeks and wind and their effects on the garden.
🎨 The illustrator paints generous and colorful illustrations for us to see Eliza's story for ourselves. I am a fan of the primary-infused palette used.
The lines between good and evil are not as neatly drawn as I would like. Will see how the series develops. Thank you to Candlewick and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2025
Eliza’s favorite book is one filled with wonder and magic: The Daisy Chain Book of Fairies. Little did she know what magic existed in her own little corner, where a tiny door she fashioned would sparkle and shine. Transporting her to a special place where the flowers always bloom and each fairy has a special job.
Not everything is sunshine and roses and Eliza soon realizes that the fairies she has instantly befriended have been cursed! She comes face to face with the evil ones: Wolfsbane and Belladonna. Now Eliza must act quickly, find the good Witch Hazel, and save her fairy friends; but will be fast enough?
I love tales of fairies and magic so I welcomed this book with open arms! With a whimsical story and colorful illustrations, it is an easy book to fall in love with. Then imagine my delight when I saw a tiny little #1 on the spine, yes! A new series to enjoy and I can’t wait to read more about Eliza and her fairy friends.
Not everything is sunshine and roses and Eliza soon realizes that the fairies she has instantly befriended have been cursed! She comes face to face with the evil ones: Wolfsbane and Belladonna. Now Eliza must act quickly, find the good Witch Hazel, and save her fairy friends; but will be fast enough?
I love tales of fairies and magic so I welcomed this book with open arms! With a whimsical story and colorful illustrations, it is an easy book to fall in love with. Then imagine my delight when I saw a tiny little #1 on the spine, yes! A new series to enjoy and I can’t wait to read more about Eliza and her fairy friends.
February 27, 2025
I feel like a grump, but I found this book extremely confusing. I know chapter books are low word count, but usually they explain a bit more. For instance, the Rainbow Magic series will tell you in each book the two protagonists are friends who can enter their fairy land, but no one else knows. Here . . . I had no idea what was going on. At first it really was not clear if Eliza had been to the fairy land before or not. She also expressed no emotion about BEING in a fairy land (I guess for the first time?) like suprise or much wonder. It just was. Everything just was. Maybe that's through the lens of a child, but it made the book more confusing for me as an adult who wanted to know what on earth was going on. Elements of the plot were also confusing. I just really didn't get this one, especially from a well-known and experienced author.
April 8, 2025
Thank you Candlewick Press for the ARC! This was such a fun book and I’d definitely recommend it for children! It’s made with picture book–quality paper even though it’s more of a chapter book—totally random, but I thought that was a nice touch. The illustrations were absolutely stunning and they were on practically every page. I think they’d keep a child entertained while they read it for sure. I can’t remember if there are really any lessons taught in the story, but it’s just a fantastical and imaginative tale. I love the trope where you get to escape to a magical world. On a side note, the synopsis of the book essentially spoils the entire story, but it’s still a fun read regardless.
4.5/5 Stars
4.5/5 Stars
March 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan McDonald, Lenny Wen, and Candlewick Press for the ARC audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was such a fun read and I loved that I could share the experience with my daughter in a way that she was just as excited to listen in. Perfect for young listeners or middle readers the story is thoughtful and sweet and we both enjoyed it immensely. I also loved all of the name choices throughout the book utilizing both beautiful flowers and poisonous plants as foreshadowing. I can’t wait to investigate additional books by Megan to continue listening with my daughter.
This book was such a fun read and I loved that I could share the experience with my daughter in a way that she was just as excited to listen in. Perfect for young listeners or middle readers the story is thoughtful and sweet and we both enjoyed it immensely. I also loved all of the name choices throughout the book utilizing both beautiful flowers and poisonous plants as foreshadowing. I can’t wait to investigate additional books by Megan to continue listening with my daughter.
March 24, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this beautiful book!
📖 Book Review 📖 Fairy Door Diaries is a beautiful book that truly captures the magic of childhood. The fairy world is at Eliza’s fingertips with the help of some fairy dust and her beautiful dragonfly pin. In this charming world with spritely friends, Eliza is strong and brave, taking on the evil forces to save her friends from evil forces. Nature, spells, and the depths of friendships (which sometimes means saying goodbye) come to life in this absolutely stunning story that will spark imaginations in minds and hearts of children of all ages.
📖 Book Review 📖 Fairy Door Diaries is a beautiful book that truly captures the magic of childhood. The fairy world is at Eliza’s fingertips with the help of some fairy dust and her beautiful dragonfly pin. In this charming world with spritely friends, Eliza is strong and brave, taking on the evil forces to save her friends from evil forces. Nature, spells, and the depths of friendships (which sometimes means saying goodbye) come to life in this absolutely stunning story that will spark imaginations in minds and hearts of children of all ages.
March 24, 2025
I’m giving this one a two star, and it’s the beautiful illustrations that saved the day!
Unfortunately, this story was very confusing, had so many plot holes, and was missing the key details or background that was needed to fully grasp the story.
My seven year old and I kept flipping back to previous pages to see if we missed pages or information. I also found the names for characters and the constant alliteration unnecessarily confusing.
Overall, a confusing story- the magical elements and plot lines need to be better explored, especially for a first book in a series. Hopefully this can be done if there is a sequel.
Unfortunately, this story was very confusing, had so many plot holes, and was missing the key details or background that was needed to fully grasp the story.
My seven year old and I kept flipping back to previous pages to see if we missed pages or information. I also found the names for characters and the constant alliteration unnecessarily confusing.
Overall, a confusing story- the magical elements and plot lines need to be better explored, especially for a first book in a series. Hopefully this can be done if there is a sequel.
December 28, 2025
Megan McDonald paints a beautiful world of color and mysticism through her words. The illustrations by Lenny Wen take Megan’s words and help the world come to life. Eliza is a relatable character for the target age of 4-8 years old, but I think 9-11 year olds who love magic and fairies will still enjoy the plot. For the younger children, the book will need to be read by an adult as the descriptions and wildlife are more complicated vocabulary; however, it is a book that can be reread as the child grows. Overall, I easily slipped into Eliza’s magical world and explored the Land of Understair with her.
January 31, 2025
Pub date: Feb 4, 2025
A magical whimsical story of fairies, witches and and the Land of UnderStair. A tale of friendship and adventure, this story captivated my 6 year old. We listened to it before bed and she now wants her own crawl space hideout (and tiny magical door to the land of fairies). We’ll be sure to check out future installments of the series.
Stephanie Willing did an excellent job with the voices that really captured the fun spirit of the story. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook in exchange for an early review. All opinions are my own.
A magical whimsical story of fairies, witches and and the Land of UnderStair. A tale of friendship and adventure, this story captivated my 6 year old. We listened to it before bed and she now wants her own crawl space hideout (and tiny magical door to the land of fairies). We’ll be sure to check out future installments of the series.
Stephanie Willing did an excellent job with the voices that really captured the fun spirit of the story. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook in exchange for an early review. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2025
This is a charming children’s story about a little girl who saves the day by rescuing some flower fairies. Very cute and engaging. We received the audio book version and my nearly 8 year old and I listened to it in one sitting. Special thanks to Dreamscape media for allowing us this opportunity.
Child’s review: This is a good book for kids. Because there is a girl saving a fairy, fairy tales and humongous surprises!
I recommend that everyone who sees this book read it. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I hope it is exciting and fun!
Child’s review: This is a good book for kids. Because there is a girl saving a fairy, fairy tales and humongous surprises!
I recommend that everyone who sees this book read it. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I hope it is exciting and fun!
February 14, 2025
Eliza and the Flower Fairies is part of the Fairy Door Diaries.
When Eliza of the Elves takes the teeny magical door in her secret hideout, she is transported to the land of the Flower Fairies. But, when Eliza ventures too far, and tries to pick a strange flower, she falls beyond the safety of the hedgerow.
When Poppy tries to save Eliza, she is captured. Can Eliza brave her fears to save her fairy friends in time?
Eliza and the Flower Fairies is a heartfelt journey of friendship, bravery and love.
When Eliza of the Elves takes the teeny magical door in her secret hideout, she is transported to the land of the Flower Fairies. But, when Eliza ventures too far, and tries to pick a strange flower, she falls beyond the safety of the hedgerow.
When Poppy tries to save Eliza, she is captured. Can Eliza brave her fears to save her fairy friends in time?
Eliza and the Flower Fairies is a heartfelt journey of friendship, bravery and love.
May 24, 2025
Darling fantasy with willing, brave young Eliza, helped by a dragonfly pin that becomes alive named "Haiku"! Eliza raced home from school to race into a magical land, the "Land of Understair"! There are fairies who care for flowers, one special one to Eliza named Poppy. Of course, there is danger, too, and Eliza faces it all, with help from the good fairies. It's a lovely adventure for young readers, enhanced by Lenny Wen, told in chapters by Megan McDonald.
Thanks to Candlewick for my copy!
Thanks to Candlewick for my copy!
June 8, 2025
Not impressed! The illustrations are not cute (imo, sorry illustrator), they are just creepy and trippy in a 60's/70's kind of way, not calm or warm or even magical. The story was confusing, did not like all of the characters. Reminded me a bit of the "Wild Fairies #1" book with the fairies named after flowers, but the stakes in that one were much lower - this one was kinda scary given the audience, like... the fairies were dying? Eliza had to save their lives? It gave me like James and the Giant Peach creepy vibes. Just not a fan and would not recommend, and Emily was very meh also.
February 8, 2025
The Fairy Door Diaries by superster kidlit writer Meg MdDonald is a sweet, simple book about a girls journey to fairyland. It's a delightful book for children and their adult listening companions. It is a good fit for children who love fantasy that is magical but not scary. The narrator sets just the right tone for the story. You can listen to the story by itself or purchase the print book for a read along experience.
February 14, 2025
What a fun and magical adventure following Eliza of the elfs who has a secret space called the Land of UnderStair. Upon going through the door Eliza picks the wrong flower and things go a miss. The story used poisonous plant names as the name for the villains Belladonna and wolfsbane. I had the benefit of being able to listen to the audiobook and can only imagine how magical the pictures are in the book.
(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted review copy)
(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted review copy)
February 1, 2025
An enchanting story, eliza and her fairy adventures.
A magical doorway to the fairy world and a journey with a few flower friendships, each with a different talent.
An accidental fall puts her in a flower graveyard which is guarded by 2 evil witches.
My grandson loved it. Especially the narrator, she was brilliant.
A magical doorway to the fairy world and a journey with a few flower friendships, each with a different talent.
An accidental fall puts her in a flower graveyard which is guarded by 2 evil witches.
My grandson loved it. Especially the narrator, she was brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews