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Old Oak Wood series #1
A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale
Building on the dazzling success of "Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, " Windling and the brilliantly talented dollmaker Wendy Froud present a charming and visually stunning faery tale about true love and simple truths. 22 color photos.
51 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 1999
11 people are currently reading
3180 people want to read
About the author
Terri Windling
118 books712 followersTerri Windling is an American editor, artist, essayist, and the author of books for both children and adults. Windling has won nine World Fantasy Awards, the Mythopoeic Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and her anthology The Armless Maiden, a fiction collection for adult survivors of child abuse, appeared on the shortlist for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award. She was also honored with SFWA's Soltice Award in 2010, a lifetime achievement award for "significant contributions to the speculative fiction field as a writer, editor, artist, educator, and mentor". Windling's work has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Lithuanian, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, and Korean.
In the American publishing field, Windling is one of the primary creative forces behind the mythic fiction resurgence that began in the early 1980s—first through her work as an innovative editor for the Ace and Tor Books fantasy lines; secondly as the creator of the Fairy Tales series of novels (featuring reinterpretations of classic fairy tale themes by Jane Yolen, Steven Brust, Pamela Dean, Patricia C. Wrede, Charles de Lint, and others); and thirdly as the editor of over thirty anthologies of magical fiction. She is also recognized as one of the founders of the urban fantasy genre, having published and promoted the first novels of Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, and other pioneers of the form.
With Ellen Datlow, Windling edited 16 volumes of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror (1986–2003), an anthology series that reached beyond the boundaries of genre fantasy to incorporate magic realism, surrealism, poetry, and other forms of magical literature. Datlow and Windling also edited the Snow White, Blood Red series of literary fairy tales for adult readers, as well as many anthologies of myth & fairy tale inspired fiction for younger readers (such as The Green Man, The Faery Reel, and The Wolf at the Door). Windling also created and edited the Borderland series for teenage readers.
As an author, Windling's fiction includes The Wood Wife (winner of the Mythopoeic Award for Novel of the Year) and several children's books: The Raven Queen, The Changeling, A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale, The Winter Child, and The Faeries of Spring Cottage. Her essays on myth, folklore, magical literature and art have been widely published in newsstand magazines, academic journals, art books, and anthologies. She was a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales, edited by Jack Zipes.
As an artist, Windling specializes in work inspired by myth, folklore, and fairy tales. Her art has been exhibited across the US, as well as in the UK and France.
Windling is the founder of the Endicott Studio, an organization dedicated to myth-inspired arts, and co-editor (with Midori Snyder) of The Journal of Mythic Arts. She also sits on the board of the Mythic Imagination Institute. A former New Yorker, Windling spend many years in Tucson, Arizona, and now lives in Devon, England. She is married to dramatist Howard Gayton, co-director of the Ophaboom Theatre Company.
In the American publishing field, Windling is one of the primary creative forces behind the mythic fiction resurgence that began in the early 1980s—first through her work as an innovative editor for the Ace and Tor Books fantasy lines; secondly as the creator of the Fairy Tales series of novels (featuring reinterpretations of classic fairy tale themes by Jane Yolen, Steven Brust, Pamela Dean, Patricia C. Wrede, Charles de Lint, and others); and thirdly as the editor of over thirty anthologies of magical fiction. She is also recognized as one of the founders of the urban fantasy genre, having published and promoted the first novels of Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, and other pioneers of the form.
With Ellen Datlow, Windling edited 16 volumes of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror (1986–2003), an anthology series that reached beyond the boundaries of genre fantasy to incorporate magic realism, surrealism, poetry, and other forms of magical literature. Datlow and Windling also edited the Snow White, Blood Red series of literary fairy tales for adult readers, as well as many anthologies of myth & fairy tale inspired fiction for younger readers (such as The Green Man, The Faery Reel, and The Wolf at the Door). Windling also created and edited the Borderland series for teenage readers.
As an author, Windling's fiction includes The Wood Wife (winner of the Mythopoeic Award for Novel of the Year) and several children's books: The Raven Queen, The Changeling, A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale, The Winter Child, and The Faeries of Spring Cottage. Her essays on myth, folklore, magical literature and art have been widely published in newsstand magazines, academic journals, art books, and anthologies. She was a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales, edited by Jack Zipes.
As an artist, Windling specializes in work inspired by myth, folklore, and fairy tales. Her art has been exhibited across the US, as well as in the UK and France.
Windling is the founder of the Endicott Studio, an organization dedicated to myth-inspired arts, and co-editor (with Midori Snyder) of The Journal of Mythic Arts. She also sits on the board of the Mythic Imagination Institute. A former New Yorker, Windling spend many years in Tucson, Arizona, and now lives in Devon, England. She is married to dramatist Howard Gayton, co-director of the Ophaboom Theatre Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 8, 2024
Sneezle, as Bilbo & Frodo before him, has been given a quest of which is bumbling and stumbling does not deter. Lavish photography posing Wendy Froud’s magical figures alongside the text of Terri Windling. Good and evil, of course play their parts.
December 1, 2013
Written, I believe, to showcase Froud's dolls, this book is a sweet story about finding your role in life. With links to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream through Oberon and Titania, a reference to the changelings, and a little snippet of Shakespearean song, I was disappointed that these were not stronger. Indeed Oberon was far nicer to this Titania then Shakespeare's version. I just desperately wanted to discover that Shakespeare had somehow misread the story of one midsummer night.
March 28, 2024
"What fools these mortals be!"
-William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
I had a hard time finding this book anywhere. After I discovered it in the appendix of Brian Froud's Faery Oracle guide book, I knew I had to have it in my personal library.
Now that I finally own a copy of this book, I'm so glad I got to read it. It saddens me that this little treassure is no longer in print. This is just the magickal piece of children's literature that you can't find anywhere these days. It's a beautiful book with morals for children and adults alike. The story in itself is simply beautiful and the accompanying pictures breathtaking.
It's not so easy to find books or movies from artists who truly get the world of the Fae and know what it's all about. Therefore, I finished this book with a bittersweet feeling. I wished there where more treassures out there like this one.
I would also like to note that this is not a retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as the title of the book might suggest. It's a truly original telling, with little hints of paganism and Irish folklore sprinkled about, and even a quite suprising plottwist at the end of the book!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves faeries or The Lord of The Rings, and to anyone who has children and would like to read something that's a little bit different from the avarage children's storybook of today.
Truly spellbinding!
-William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
I had a hard time finding this book anywhere. After I discovered it in the appendix of Brian Froud's Faery Oracle guide book, I knew I had to have it in my personal library.
Now that I finally own a copy of this book, I'm so glad I got to read it. It saddens me that this little treassure is no longer in print. This is just the magickal piece of children's literature that you can't find anywhere these days. It's a beautiful book with morals for children and adults alike. The story in itself is simply beautiful and the accompanying pictures breathtaking.
It's not so easy to find books or movies from artists who truly get the world of the Fae and know what it's all about. Therefore, I finished this book with a bittersweet feeling. I wished there where more treassures out there like this one.
I would also like to note that this is not a retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as the title of the book might suggest. It's a truly original telling, with little hints of paganism and Irish folklore sprinkled about, and even a quite suprising plottwist at the end of the book!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves faeries or The Lord of The Rings, and to anyone who has children and would like to read something that's a little bit different from the avarage children's storybook of today.
Truly spellbinding!
July 19, 2015
Just a beautiful book. I love Wendy Froud's art dolls as illustrations. This is a great addition to my book collection along with all the other Froudian books!
February 23, 2014
Lovely to read and to look at. Delightful and charming without becoming saccharine. Terri Windling + faery tale = great big win.
A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale is high on my list of books to buy as gifts for children.
A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale is high on my list of books to buy as gifts for children.
June 2, 2023
Two stars mostly for the art. I’ve been wanting to read this one since high school but lost access to it for a good long while until I realized my current library system had a copy.
This tale was…okay. I wasn’t expecting it to be a masterpiece, but as another reviewer mentioned it definitely feels like the story was tacked on somewhat. Windling’s mention of “Goblinese, a language of squeaks and giggles and shrieks” feels vaguely insulting, but perhaps I’m reading too much into this?
Also, damn I’m tired of the weird faerie tale pattern of all men are represented as swarthy and their partners are pale as moonlight, sunlight, snow, something people think of as white and “pure”. While not overtly racist, it strengthens that signification in Western culture of whiteness and light being pure, while dark means intimidating or ominous. Oberon and the Raven handmaiden complicate this symbolization at least, but it’s still weird how much people cling to such representations.
Anyway, overall this is cute. But I’m glad high school me didn’t buy a copy of this. It didn’t age very gracefully.
This tale was…okay. I wasn’t expecting it to be a masterpiece, but as another reviewer mentioned it definitely feels like the story was tacked on somewhat. Windling’s mention of “Goblinese, a language of squeaks and giggles and shrieks” feels vaguely insulting, but perhaps I’m reading too much into this?
Also, damn I’m tired of the weird faerie tale pattern of all men are represented as swarthy and their partners are pale as moonlight, sunlight, snow, something people think of as white and “pure”. While not overtly racist, it strengthens that signification in Western culture of whiteness and light being pure, while dark means intimidating or ominous. Oberon and the Raven handmaiden complicate this symbolization at least, but it’s still weird how much people cling to such representations.
Anyway, overall this is cute. But I’m glad high school me didn’t buy a copy of this. It didn’t age very gracefully.
January 18, 2022
A wonderful magical story about a fairy called Sneezle. Who's full name is actually Sneezlewort Rootmuster Rowanberry Boggs the Seventh. It is nearly Midsummer Night and he wants to help this year. So he looks for how he can help. Than he finds out that Lady Titania has been put under a sleeping spell and that her crown hasn't been picked up yet at the oldest Rowan tree. A small young fairy gets the task from King Oberon to pick up the crown but because of circumstances she entrusts the task to Sneezle. Than he embarks on a quest.
This story is wonderful for young and old. Anyone who loves fantasy stories about fairys and magic actually and the wonderful beautiful photos of beautiful dolls set in wonderful settings make this book even more magical.
This story is wonderful for young and old. Anyone who loves fantasy stories about fairys and magic actually and the wonderful beautiful photos of beautiful dolls set in wonderful settings make this book even more magical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2019
The first in the "Old Oak Wood" trilogy, this story draws on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The story is beautiful and pairs well with the gorgeous photos. It also shows us the true nature of the Other Crowd which I really appreciate. They are not all goodness and light. They are quite contrary and their moods are subject to change at a moments notice.
July 24, 2019
Beautifully written faery tale that showcases Wendy Froud's dolls to spectacular effect. The story and art work together to make this a book worth coming back to again and again. I find that I notice something new on each reread because the artwork is so intricate that there's always some new detail to discover. The charming story and beautiful art make this one of my favorites.
January 1, 2022
A beautiful picture book and fairy tale all wrapped up into one. I love the story being told, of Oberon and Titania and the Midsummer Festival. The photography of the scenes created with Wendy Froud's dolls is extraordinary! Love the details!
February 20, 2019
Nice read. Liked the writing style. Will read more from this author.
March 2, 2019
The endiny is so remarkable.
Want to read
January 22, 2020سوف اقرأه
April 5, 2024
A magical and charming story filled with magical and charming pictures.
July 16, 2025
Para quienes aman el arte de Wendy Froud, este libro es una joya. Está completamente ilustrado con fotos de sus muñecas-esculturas, como ciertops libros que se editaban en nuestra infancia. Pero llevado a un nivel mucho más fino. La historia de Terry Windling cautiva, mostrando el mundo de las hadas como un lugar que nos resulta cálido y nostálgicamente familiar, a la vez de tener todo tipo de seres en distintas formas, y no todos de tan buen corazón como se podría esperar. Nos transmite el mensaje de no dejarnos llevar por las apariencias, ya que a veces las hadas más bellas pueden ser las más superficiales, o incluso celosas y crueles. Y que no importa que tan pequeño y "poca cosa" pueda parecer el héroe del cuento (y su amiga hada), siempre pueden hacer grandes cosas, demostrar su valor, determinación y bondad y hacer un gran cambio que salve la historia.
July 1, 2016
Mr. Froud’s fascination and delight with the idea of hidden worlds shine through in this story about a fuzzy, furry creature who gets tossed willy nilly into a quest to rouse a sleeping queen and aid her worried spouse. The posed figures easily capture the fey spirit of the imaginary paths Sneezle must negotiate. Each illustrated page brims with detail, from pointed ears to button mushrooms. It is a thoroughly wonderful collaboration with a team whose artistry brings to life a story both familiar and unreal, brimming equally with amusement and danger in unexpected places.
March 7, 2010
Very sweetly written with lovely puppet style dolls! Wendy Froud is just as talented as her amazing artist husband Brian is! I love her whimsical sculptures they are so magical and lifelike. Being an artist and a sculpture artist, I am truly inspired by her style and creativity she brings to each piece that she creates. They are absolutely breathtaking. The story is charming that brings out the child in us all. Lovely to read as a bedtime story for any little person
September 21, 2013
Windling and Froud create a magical little tale of a young dwarf named Sneezle who can't seem to do anything right. Sneezle always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - until he meets the Faery King Oberon and must go on a quest for the midsummer's crown. Sneezle may be an unlikely hero, but his heart is in the right place for him to help the rightful Queen of the Forest Titania be crowned before the celebrations of the night begin.
June 2, 2013
"A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale" will forever be one of my most cherished picture books! I read it long ago at friend's house; she and her mother did much to help cultivate my love of fantasy and art. The book itself is completely adorable with a simple story and breathtakingly detailed photos of the characters. An enchanting read for lovers of fey of all ages to relax and have a cup of tea with!
December 23, 2011
I bought this a long time ago, long before I had any children... and utterly enjoyed it. However, now that I do have children I read this book to my oldest every so often. She loves it. The artwork is enchanting and the story is wonderful. The Frouds are amazing!
Sneezle is a character for the ages and someday I want to dress one of my kids up as him for Halloween.
Sneezle is a character for the ages and someday I want to dress one of my kids up as him for Halloween.
August 14, 2014
Loved this book made with Wendy Froud's dolls after I read her husband's Goblins of Labyrinth. I must say I like this better than that one - totally magical. I can't get over the one scene where Twig pecks Sneezle on the cheek - the expression on his face is so cute! Will read this again just for the sake of the pictures.
Read
July 5, 2009wendy froud's dolls are amazing. i kind of wish that the format of the books was more organic. i haven't looked at the books in a while, though... so i'm not sure if i'm right or wrong. i could look at endless images of these environments and never want for actual written stories.
January 31, 2010
This is a wonderful book. The story of Sneezle who wants to attend his first Midsummer's celebration, a quest, and his saving the day. Beautifully illustrated with Wendy Froud's creations. Utterly charming
December 9, 2011
Loved this picture book! The dolls were exquisite!
December 14, 2014
Love all things Shakespeare related .... And gorgeous pictures.
November 24, 2013
A charming, captivating, beautiful story that I could read over and over again! -- eps, 06/12/04
March 22, 2016
Has been one of my favourite kids storys since I was little and now I enjoy reading it with my younger sister.
August 26, 2015
I really loved the unique illustrations in this book using art dolls!
January 13, 2009
Absolutely gorgeous picture/storybook of Wendy Froud's DOLLS!! =^^=
March 21, 2009
Nat loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews