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Wings & Co #1
Operatiunea Iepurasul. Aripi & Co. Primul caz al Agenției de detectivi a zânelor
Nici nu vine bine pe lume, că Emily Vole ajunge pe prima pagină a ziarelor, după ce e găsită la aeroport, abandonată într-o cutie de pălării.
E înfiată, dar nu o duce prea bine în familia ei adoptivă: trebuie să aibă grijă de cele trei fetițe ale familiei Dashwood, să spele, să calce și să dea cu aspiratorul.
Până într-o zi, când îi întâlnește pe ciudații ei vecini: domnișoara Firu și motanul Deranj. Prin ei, Emily intră în legătură cu agenția de detectivi a zânelor și descoperă că rolul ei în operațiunea în care sunt implicați detectivul Flagrant Ignatius Savorini, vrăjitoarea Harpella, dar și niște aripi, chei mergătoare și o mulțime de iepurași roz nu e tocmai neînsemnat. Rămâneți pe fir pntru amănunte.
E înfiată, dar nu o duce prea bine în familia ei adoptivă: trebuie să aibă grijă de cele trei fetițe ale familiei Dashwood, să spele, să calce și să dea cu aspiratorul.
Până într-o zi, când îi întâlnește pe ciudații ei vecini: domnișoara Firu și motanul Deranj. Prin ei, Emily intră în legătură cu agenția de detectivi a zânelor și descoperă că rolul ei în operațiunea în care sunt implicați detectivul Flagrant Ignatius Savorini, vrăjitoarea Harpella, dar și niște aripi, chei mergătoare și o mulțime de iepurași roz nu e tocmai neînsemnat. Rămâneți pe fir pntru amănunte.
167 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Sally Gardner
115 books629 followersAKA Wray Delaney
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 5, 2021
Read this to my class of year 2s and they LOVED it. 30 children shouting "NO!!!" everytime I stopped reading is exactly what I want from a book I share with them.
June 27, 2019
This was surprisingly good and entertaining and I love the mix of magic in there!
June 8, 2017
Изключително интересна и вълшебна детективска история за малките читатели. Отново браво на страхотното издателство Рибка!
November 18, 2012
Magic, mysteries and a resilient heroine - fab start to a new series for 7+
Sally Gardner is so great! I've never been disappointed with one of her books, and this quirky magical tale is no different. With shades of Roald Dahl and Eva Ibbotson, this is classic young fiction at its best.
As the first book in a new series, it lays the groundwork for the future, showing how the wonderful cat Fidget and little Emily Vole on the book cover come to be working together at a Fairy Detective Agency. The gorgeous illustrations are perfect, starting with the cover style that shows us this is no 'pink and sparkly' fairy book.
Emily's life has fairytale elements: she's an orphan, found in a hatbox at Stansted Airport and quickly adopted by the incredibly wealthy Dashwoods, who soon grow frustrated by Emily's inability to perfectly complement their otherwise perfectly coordinated life and treat her shockingly. It's through Emily's adoptive parents that comparisons to Dahl are most valid, with their caricature-like superficiality and materialism. Once the magical elements start featuring, things look up for Emily and the adventure truly begins.
Children of around 7 and up will lap this up, revelling as they do in deliciously bad parent-figures and tough and resourceful child protagonists, not to mention magical talking animals. I know I would have loved this as a child (umm, actually I loved it now :) ) and my 9yr old will too.
Overall, this is definitely a fun read for newly confident readers (shortish chapters and lovely b/w illustrations throughout), or would work well as a shared bedtime read.
Sally Gardner is so great! I've never been disappointed with one of her books, and this quirky magical tale is no different. With shades of Roald Dahl and Eva Ibbotson, this is classic young fiction at its best.
As the first book in a new series, it lays the groundwork for the future, showing how the wonderful cat Fidget and little Emily Vole on the book cover come to be working together at a Fairy Detective Agency. The gorgeous illustrations are perfect, starting with the cover style that shows us this is no 'pink and sparkly' fairy book.
Emily's life has fairytale elements: she's an orphan, found in a hatbox at Stansted Airport and quickly adopted by the incredibly wealthy Dashwoods, who soon grow frustrated by Emily's inability to perfectly complement their otherwise perfectly coordinated life and treat her shockingly. It's through Emily's adoptive parents that comparisons to Dahl are most valid, with their caricature-like superficiality and materialism. Once the magical elements start featuring, things look up for Emily and the adventure truly begins.
Children of around 7 and up will lap this up, revelling as they do in deliciously bad parent-figures and tough and resourceful child protagonists, not to mention magical talking animals. I know I would have loved this as a child (umm, actually I loved it now :) ) and my 9yr old will too.
Overall, this is definitely a fun read for newly confident readers (shortish chapters and lovely b/w illustrations throughout), or would work well as a shared bedtime read.
October 24, 2012
I have read and enjoyed many of Sally Gardner's novels including those targeted at the Young Adult market. I'm delighted to see her return her attentions to the 8-12 age group as my children loved her Magical Children Series.
This is the first in a series of books about Wings & Co, a fairy detective agency resurrected by Emily Vole, a young girl who has had a lot to deal with in her short life so far - abandoned as a baby at Stansted Airport in a hat box, adopted by emotionally challenged wannabes, condemned to a life of drudgery. However, hope comes in the shape of Miss String and Fidget...I won't spoil the story by saying any more. Suffice to say, Operation Bunny has Sally Gardner's usual humour, charm, pace and overall feeling of whimsy which will spellbind young readers.
Suitable for independent readers from age 7 upwards, probably aimed more at girls than boys, Operation Bunny is a beautifully written, original story complemented perfectly by David Roberts' quirky illustrations.
This is the first in a series of books about Wings & Co, a fairy detective agency resurrected by Emily Vole, a young girl who has had a lot to deal with in her short life so far - abandoned as a baby at Stansted Airport in a hat box, adopted by emotionally challenged wannabes, condemned to a life of drudgery. However, hope comes in the shape of Miss String and Fidget...I won't spoil the story by saying any more. Suffice to say, Operation Bunny has Sally Gardner's usual humour, charm, pace and overall feeling of whimsy which will spellbind young readers.
Suitable for independent readers from age 7 upwards, probably aimed more at girls than boys, Operation Bunny is a beautifully written, original story complemented perfectly by David Roberts' quirky illustrations.
October 17, 2020
A very funny book about an orphan girl found in a hatbox, a witch, some fairies, a spirit lamp and a very large talking cat. There's more than a touch of Ronald Dahl- ish humore, slightly dark and definitely dangerous, in that one runs the risk of being turned into a pink bunny at any time.
The audiobook, narrated by Simon Russell Beale is fabulously done. It was a joy to listen to- I only wish it were longer. Thankfully, there are more books in the series.
The audiobook, narrated by Simon Russell Beale is fabulously done. It was a joy to listen to- I only wish it were longer. Thankfully, there are more books in the series.
January 31, 2015
Intermediate: Operation Bunny by Sally Gardner (2014 in the United States) Independent reading.
Mya, who is interested in mysteries, fantasies, and humorous books should really like this one. It even has a talking cat, too! This was the second intermediate book that I read, and it was my favorite. This is the first book in a series, and took a little bit of time to set up the background to the story, but once it got going, I enjoyed it. I think, if I were younger that I would have liked this book/series.
This is the story of a nine year old girl, who was adopted into a wealthy family to be their spoiled princess. It did not work out that way, because Emily Vole, (the child) was opposite of what they wanted in their child. When Emily turned five, her mother gave birth to perfect, blonde twins. Emily was turned out of her princess room, and was given the task of housemaid and nanny to the girls. Almost like a modern day Cinderella at this point. Emily is home alone during the day and meets the neighbor, Miss String and her talking cat Fidget. When Miss String dies, Emily inherits a shop from her and discovers a magical world. Fidget, the talking cat, helps her save fairies from a terrible witch.
This book is humorous! I enjoyed how the parents reminded me of the movie, Matilda, in how Matilda’s parents acted. The twins have a run in with a witch who takes their undisciplined spirits and replaces them with strange children who follow rules and tell the truth all of the time. This drives the mom crazy, and she needs to join with Emily to defeat the witch, and get her “real” children back. Do the twins get back to normal? Why do the fairies need help? Is the terrible witch defeated? Will Emily have to go back to live with her parents? You’ll have to read it and see.
Mya, who is interested in mysteries, fantasies, and humorous books should really like this one. It even has a talking cat, too! This was the second intermediate book that I read, and it was my favorite. This is the first book in a series, and took a little bit of time to set up the background to the story, but once it got going, I enjoyed it. I think, if I were younger that I would have liked this book/series.
This is the story of a nine year old girl, who was adopted into a wealthy family to be their spoiled princess. It did not work out that way, because Emily Vole, (the child) was opposite of what they wanted in their child. When Emily turned five, her mother gave birth to perfect, blonde twins. Emily was turned out of her princess room, and was given the task of housemaid and nanny to the girls. Almost like a modern day Cinderella at this point. Emily is home alone during the day and meets the neighbor, Miss String and her talking cat Fidget. When Miss String dies, Emily inherits a shop from her and discovers a magical world. Fidget, the talking cat, helps her save fairies from a terrible witch.
This book is humorous! I enjoyed how the parents reminded me of the movie, Matilda, in how Matilda’s parents acted. The twins have a run in with a witch who takes their undisciplined spirits and replaces them with strange children who follow rules and tell the truth all of the time. This drives the mom crazy, and she needs to join with Emily to defeat the witch, and get her “real” children back. Do the twins get back to normal? Why do the fairies need help? Is the terrible witch defeated? Will Emily have to go back to live with her parents? You’ll have to read it and see.
September 2, 2015
This book is really adorable. I'd definitely recommend it to kiddos who want to read hilarious magical mystery books!
Coming up is a discussion totally off-topic of the book so I'm going to hide it in a spoiler alert and anyone who is fond of talking about language and political correctness can continue on!
Coming up is a discussion totally off-topic of the book so I'm going to hide it in a spoiler alert and anyone who is fond of talking about language and political correctness can continue on!
January 2, 2022
Adorableness oozes out of this book in great gooey globs. It is a
delightful book for young readers. If your kids are too young for Harry
Potter, then try this series. It has a lot of the same themes without
being so dark. It’s perfect for just starting to read middle grade fiction.
Emily Vole gets adopted by some horrendous people who make her a family
slave until their neighbor dies and leaves Emily a large inheritance.
Emily decides to run away and try to defeat the witch Harpella before she murders any more fairies. That last bit sounds morbid, but I promise you that this book is not disturbing in the least. It is a light, fun fantasy mystery that kids will love. It has a wicked witch, a giant talking cat, and a couple of fairies to keep things interesting. And bunnies. Lots of bunnies.
The illustrations are fantastic. I love David Roberts’ style. There are several black and white illustrations peppered throughout the book to give kids a visual.
I can’t wait to read the next one. Highly recommended for kids ages 7 and up.
delightful book for young readers. If your kids are too young for Harry
Potter, then try this series. It has a lot of the same themes without
being so dark. It’s perfect for just starting to read middle grade fiction.
Emily Vole gets adopted by some horrendous people who make her a family
slave until their neighbor dies and leaves Emily a large inheritance.
Emily decides to run away and try to defeat the witch Harpella before she murders any more fairies. That last bit sounds morbid, but I promise you that this book is not disturbing in the least. It is a light, fun fantasy mystery that kids will love. It has a wicked witch, a giant talking cat, and a couple of fairies to keep things interesting. And bunnies. Lots of bunnies.
The illustrations are fantastic. I love David Roberts’ style. There are several black and white illustrations peppered throughout the book to give kids a visual.
I can’t wait to read the next one. Highly recommended for kids ages 7 and up.
September 28, 2015
This was a fun read. We have talking cats who keep coming up with new clean ejaculations, all cat oriented of course. We have a Cinderella style orphan who takes care of herself. There are fairies who have lost their wings to the bad witch. Very bad witch! Who turn victims into either zombies or somewhat talking bunnies....they can only say the last sentence they said before transformation. This was lively reading and is the start of a series. We need more intelligently silly books in our life!
June 7, 2014
I got this book for my daughter because of the illustrations--the pink bunnies look so cute. In fact, so cute I read the book myself. And I didn't dislike it, but the premise troubled me.
***Spoiler Alert***
So, the premise is this: a male fairy dumps his fairy wife, and she goes on a rampage and kills a lot of fairies of both genders. There's also an evil stepmother (adoptive mother, in this case). Anyway, I don't think I want my daughter to read this.
***Spoiler Alert***
So, the premise is this: a male fairy dumps his fairy wife, and she goes on a rampage and kills a lot of fairies of both genders. There's also an evil stepmother (adoptive mother, in this case). Anyway, I don't think I want my daughter to read this.
February 26, 2015
Very silly stuff in here.
March 9, 2016
Really childish but surprisingly very well written and quite emotional (my fault :)). Short but heartwarming, funny and strange at the same time.Can't wait to pick up the next book in the series.
March 8, 2025
We start by finding out a couple have been unable to have a child, and their neighbour tells them to make a wish for one. And so the mother makes a wish to adopt an orphaned girl they read about in the news. But the cautionary joke becomes 'be careful what you wish for', because the girl they wished to adopt has (shock, horror) black hair and dark eyes! And not the blond hair, blue eyes the mother always wanted.
I just find this all a bit problematic because a couple's desire to have children is a precious thing, and adoption is a beautiful thing, so this plot point was just really disappointing. I know the author is mocking these characters, but it's a shame that infertility and adoption are used as the device to do it.
And then the parents' treatment of Emily is appauling and abusive and not at all funny. You're obviously supposed to be outraged at how she's treated, but I think it might be a bit distressing for some children to hear about her being treated like that. The poor girl has to escape into her book of fairytales to get away from these adoptive parents who loate her and mistreat her, and her neighbours basically have to come and take care of her while the parents are out. The adopted mother talks about wanting to put down the neighbour's cat and says she wishes she could do the same to... (we don't hear the rest of the sentence), implying Emily. When their own biological children arrive, their treatment of her gets even worse. It's so awful and casts such an awful shadow on adoption.
It's just got a horrible feeling, this book. It just makes you want to cry for the poor little girl. And no giant, talking cat or bunnies can make it funny or light or enjoyable to me.
I think sensitive kids will find it really distressing.
CW:
"Oh, my days", "blooming", "nosy old batskin", "ruddy"
Creepy zombie children, abusive adoptive parents, threats of violence to a child.
I just find this all a bit problematic because a couple's desire to have children is a precious thing, and adoption is a beautiful thing, so this plot point was just really disappointing. I know the author is mocking these characters, but it's a shame that infertility and adoption are used as the device to do it.
And then the parents' treatment of Emily is appauling and abusive and not at all funny. You're obviously supposed to be outraged at how she's treated, but I think it might be a bit distressing for some children to hear about her being treated like that. The poor girl has to escape into her book of fairytales to get away from these adoptive parents who loate her and mistreat her, and her neighbours basically have to come and take care of her while the parents are out. The adopted mother talks about wanting to put down the neighbour's cat and says she wishes she could do the same to... (we don't hear the rest of the sentence), implying Emily. When their own biological children arrive, their treatment of her gets even worse. It's so awful and casts such an awful shadow on adoption.
It's just got a horrible feeling, this book. It just makes you want to cry for the poor little girl. And no giant, talking cat or bunnies can make it funny or light or enjoyable to me.
I think sensitive kids will find it really distressing.
CW:
"Oh, my days", "blooming", "nosy old batskin", "ruddy"
Creepy zombie children, abusive adoptive parents, threats of violence to a child.
August 19, 2022
Nu m-am asteptat la nimic. Aveam nevoie pur si simplu de o pauza de la lumea YA, asa cum se intampla si in viata de zi cu zi. Prima carte de copii din biblioteca pe care am vazut-o, a fost asta. Nu pot spune ca m-a impresionat, sau ca a fost ceva nemaipomenit, insa a fost sentimentul acela de liniste de care aveam nevoie. Mi-a facut placere sa rad si sa ma distrez alaturi de personaje. Like come on, for real now, un pisoi urias vorbaret? Care spala, intinde și calca rufele? Cum sa nu iti placa asta?? :))
Your reminder to read children's books when you feel like stepping out of this reality.
Your reminder to read children's books when you feel like stepping out of this reality.
November 15, 2023
Personajul meu preferat a fost Deranj pentru că el a fost implicat în a face posibil să salveze zânele și să scape de Doris Harper sau Harpella.
Ce m-a surprins pe mine foarte mult e când am aflat că Domnișoara Firu era o zână dar asemenea m-a și surprins atunci când Emily a rupt vraja de la cheile magice care deschideau sertarele cu aripile de la zâne.
Nu aș schimba sfârșitul pentru că mie personal îmi plac finalurile fericite în cărți dar nu aș schimba pentru că aproape totul revine la normal și toată lumea își vede de treaba ei.
Ce m-a surprins pe mine foarte mult e când am aflat că Domnișoara Firu era o zână dar asemenea m-a și surprins atunci când Emily a rupt vraja de la cheile magice care deschideau sertarele cu aripile de la zâne.
Nu aș schimba sfârșitul pentru că mie personal îmi plac finalurile fericite în cărți dar nu aș schimba pentru că aproape totul revine la normal și toată lumea își vede de treaba ei.
May 28, 2018
Whimsical, fun, fast paced adventure of Emily Vole, who abandoned at three months old, and found in a hatbox at Stansted Airport, and raised to be a housemaid inherits an abandoned shop, and opens the Wings & Co. Detective Agency to locate her missing parents. But first she must battle a very determined witch, who is out to destroy all of fairy land, and solve the case known as Operation Bunny.
April 17, 2018
It's a somewhat charming and cute story....if you overlook the tragic story of Emily's "adoption" and her horrible "parents." The illustrations of the zombie triplets were creepy, with the huge staring eyes.
A little more explanation of the background story would be nice. It felt as if I was thrown into the middle of the story and aspects of the world were not properly explained.
A little more explanation of the background story would be nice. It felt as if I was thrown into the middle of the story and aspects of the world were not properly explained.
August 24, 2018
Une couverture à tomber (une flopée de lapins roses tous différents..., avec moustaches, lunettes...), de l’humour à la Roald Dahl (Les adultes en prennent pour leur grade !) et une bonne dose d’inventivité : animaux qui parlent, objets doués d’une volonté propre, une maison qui marche, une sorcière au look excentrique qui transforme tout le monde en lapins roses... Quel bonheur !
October 23, 2019
I loved this book! Perfect for confident younger readers (7+) but entertaining enough for older kids too. Like all good fairy tales it is dark in places, but with a thread of humour throughout. Well written, pacy and funny, with some lovely illustrations in each chapter. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
January 7, 2021
Our first read aloud of 2021.
My daughter and I happened upon this one while ordering a different book. She's a fan of bunnies so we decided to give this one a try. It ended up a fun, quick read. Both of my kids enjoyed it and requested the next book, which I will order up for them to read on their own
My daughter and I happened upon this one while ordering a different book. She's a fan of bunnies so we decided to give this one a try. It ended up a fun, quick read. Both of my kids enjoyed it and requested the next book, which I will order up for them to read on their own
February 16, 2018
Amusing adventurous story that young children will enjoy. Takes place in England so some of the language phrases are more familiar to that audience but added to the fun this American reader had. The illustrations were delightful.
April 30, 2019
În carte este vorba despre o fetiță și o pisică,care formează agenția "Wings & co.
Ei au un caz în care sunt îngrijitori pentru o familie în care sunt copii mici și năzdrăvani.
Cănd am citit cartea am fost captivată de poveste.
Ei au un caz în care sunt îngrijitori pentru o familie în care sunt copii mici și năzdrăvani.
Cănd am citit cartea am fost captivată de poveste.
February 5, 2018
had me at talking cat!!!
February 26, 2018
Starts slow finishes better, a little strange, but still enjoyable.
March 23, 2018
Great pictures, good main characters, interesting plot and great fun. Plus it has bunnies.
July 3, 2018
I finished the book in three days. It's kind of short but it is really nice. It's worth to read it!
August 3, 2018
Silly, had a British feel to it. Illustrations are cute.
December 16, 2018
Great fun little read will read more from this series
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June 1, 2019A fun read with good illustrations
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews