Fairy Houses... Everywhere!

Fairy Houses

by Barry Kane, Tracy Kane

From rustic dwellings to fairy mansions, this whimsical collection of photographs depicts fairy habitats in various places—from woods and parks to backyard gardens and the beach—and encourages children to explore nature using creativity and imagination.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Picture Books, Childrens, Fairies, Crafts, Gardening

56 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Tracy Kane's Fairy Houses - a storybook about a young girl who creates a fairy-house while on vacation with her parents in Maine - which I liked, but did not love, I was curious to see how I would respond to this, a collection of photographs of actual fairy houses. After all, I really liked the idea of Fairy Houses , and was curious to learn more about their origin and construction. Unfortunately, although this volume contains many photographs - both of fairy houses in their entirety, and close-up shots of specific details - there is almost no text.

I have to say that I found this more than a little disappointing, since one of my main areas of interest, when it comes to this sort of thing, is tracing how the custom developed. Of course, I suppose I could always track down Maureen Heffernan's Fairy Houses of the Maine Coast , but I'm starting to get discouraged! Still, those who are interested in fairy houses, either because they want to make some themselves, or because they just love all things fairy, will derive significant pleasure out of perusing these photographs.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The projects are so creative and amazing (and they and the idea gets a full 5 stars.) I so wish I knew about these when I was working with groups of children. Heck, I wish this idea had been around when I was a child; I’d have had a blast participating in/creating fairy houses.

The photos of finished fairy house projects are wonderful, and they show a variety of settings and materials and objects made. I particularly liked the use of gourds but almost all of the materials and finished fairy houses were special.

I do wish there had been even more photos. I realize there are other related books, but I’d love a huge coffee table type book with photos of fairy houses: made by those of all ages and ability levels. This book could definitely give inspiration to a family or classroom or any group or individual to create some fairy house projects, and it would be really fun to make these with kids.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My eye naturally looks for places where faeries might live. The author of this book shows many minature houses created for the faeries. And the first quarter of the book was filled with dreamy landscapes and delightful little homes for the faeries.

For a crafter, this book is great - it has detailed instructions on construction. Although I'd rather have had just a good photography book of faerie houses...the book provides artists with good ideas in creating unique pieces.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My art challenge this month was "house," so I decided to create a fairy house. While I didn't re-create what they had in the book, it gave me inspiration. Now I'm eager for Halloween to create one out of a pumpkin....

[Terry]

We've got a review at the Reading Tub.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of great inspiration for building entirely natural fairy houses that can be left out without fear of polluting/littering the area or harming nature

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT. It was so cool to see all the different fairy homes. Great photographs!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perhaps the fairies are hidden in between the layers that Nature reveals to us as we quietly make a gift by leaving a small shelter built with resources at hand."

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a gift. After reading it I put it on my coffee table as it is so lovely and it still hasn't left my coffee table. It is a truly lovely book:

"From rustic dwellings to fairy mansions, this beautiful collection of photographs depicts these small structures and whimsical habitats in woods, parks, backyard gardens, and even at the beach. Enticing a fairy to stop by for a visit, building fairy houses can be addictive for all ages and encourages exploring the outdoors, being creative, using the imagination, and discovering nature's enchantment."

Some lovely photographs. You will be greatly tempted to start building your own faerie houses...

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am having so much fun looking at this book with my 4 year old granddaughter. We have been having a great time building our own fairy house and collecting treasures for the next. She was worried that fairies would visit the house and she wouldn't know. I told her she could tell they had been there because they leave behind fairy dust. So that first night, after building our fairy house, I went out and sprinkled glitter on the path we made leading up to the house. She was so excited that that was all she talked about all the next day.

[Jenni De la mare · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much of a story line to the book but overall I thought it gave some fantastic ideas of how to get children back into nature. I know I loved (and still sort of do) the idea of fairies when I was little and would have spent hours looking for or making fairy houses. This is something I would do with children, and it's something that can be done wherever you live.

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has fabulous pictures of amazing faerie houses, made from natural materials such as twigs, flowers, gourds, seashells, etc. The pictures will inspire readers to want to go out and try building their own faerie houses!

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, it's complete awesomeness.

[Megowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

We saw some of these delightful houses in Boothbay at the arboretum. Delightful pictures. A fun project to keep in mind for the kids.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly just pictures, but it did inspire the 6 and 8-year-old to go outside and start colleting material to build their own fairy house.

[Ilana Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually kind of glad this book didn't exist when I was a kid. If it had, I likely would've become obsessed with fairy houses and failed grammar school.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

E's book. We are planning to make one when she comes back next time.
Mostly wordless with just a few paragraphs at the end about making them.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vic read it.

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a novel but I did "read" it. Cute pics of houses that fairies live in.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has beautiful photographs of a tradition on the East Coast: fairy houses. Building small nature filled houses for the fairies. It's astounding to see the detail and creativity in them, and frankly, I'm ready to make some myself.