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Project Fairy
Mab's mum is obsessed with fairies - she even named Mab after the Fairy Queen! Their flat is full of fairy ornaments, tiny fairy furniture and they've even got fairy lights in the toilet. Mab doesn't quite get it, but she knows that fairies make her mum happy, especially after Dad left.When Mab comes into school with a new fairy dress on her birthday, her teacher gives her a book all about Victorian fairies. She reads it with her mum and her little brother Robin, and she's surprised to see the drawings inside are nothing like the sweet fairies she imagined.But the biggest surprise of all is a tiny thing that tumbles out of the pages of the book...A magical, captivating story about fairies, families and friendship from the brilliant, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
45 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
391 books5,722 followersJacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 20, 2022
A couple days ago I met Jacqueline Wilson at her book signing/talk for Project Fairy. A lifelong fan of her books, I was thrilled to hear her speak about the novel and discuss her life. From this event, I quickly read the book, enjoying its child intended audience plotline. I was very disappointed to see that Nick Sharratt is no longer Wilson's illustrator, although she explained that this is because (after 30 years) he wants to focus on something else, I was still saddened not to see the tell-tale art type expected from Wilson's books. Although this initially put me off the novel, I still enjoyed the expected elements Jacqueline portrays in her texts, hard subject matter and topics made understandable and relatable for children. Wilson dares to confront topics most children authors wouldn't dream of - and as always, it pays off.
Although Mabs is not always the most likeable character, I believe Wilson presents her as a realistic child struggling to cope with her separated parents and bulling classmates. The narrative is relevant and features current lingo and contemporary issues, I believe that any child would enjoy this book. As an adult, it only took me a couple hours to complete this book, but it has resparked my love for her books and I rushed today to borrow all of her teenage fiction that was available at my library. I'll defiantly be rereading all of my Jaqueline Wilson favourites!
Although Mabs is not always the most likeable character, I believe Wilson presents her as a realistic child struggling to cope with her separated parents and bulling classmates. The narrative is relevant and features current lingo and contemporary issues, I believe that any child would enjoy this book. As an adult, it only took me a couple hours to complete this book, but it has resparked my love for her books and I rushed today to borrow all of her teenage fiction that was available at my library. I'll defiantly be rereading all of my Jaqueline Wilson favourites!
April 23, 2023
Every book by this author is fantastic- so easy to read, amazing illustrations, and as soon as I picked it up, I felt like I knew Mab like a best friend.
March 27, 2024
Do you believe in fairies?
While her mum is obsessed with them, Mab doesn't care for them - but she ends up meeting one anyway!
I loved this tale of family and friendship, and think it could make a really great movie some day too. Mab's family troubles are realistically portrayed, I loved meeting all the characters, and the way the situation with the dad was handled was original and realistic in how it played out. I loved Micky and wish we could have seen more of him and Mab hanging out, outside of school too, or seen more of his home life.
Either way, it was a great book!
While her mum is obsessed with them, Mab doesn't care for them - but she ends up meeting one anyway!
I loved this tale of family and friendship, and think it could make a really great movie some day too. Mab's family troubles are realistically portrayed, I loved meeting all the characters, and the way the situation with the dad was handled was original and realistic in how it played out. I loved Micky and wish we could have seen more of him and Mab hanging out, outside of school too, or seen more of his home life.
Either way, it was a great book!
January 4, 2024
gahhh this was good i love jacqueline wilson. bit upset that nick sharratt isn’t doing the illustrations anymore, but i did love this art style too! a lovely storyline- the historical elements were my fave
January 29, 2023
So good best book yet!
November 22, 2022
Content Warnings: Ableism, Panic Attacks
I first just want to say, OH MY GOD THE HARDBOOK COVER IS BEAUTIFUL!!! I always take off the dust cover on hardback's I'm actively reading to keep them safe and my jaw dropped when I saw what was under it. Genuenly a stunning, beautiful design. Not sure I'll put back on the dust cover now lmao!
I'm not sure how to feel about this book overall, but I did enjoy it even so. I've been reading Jacqueline Wilson's books since I was a child and I think this one is just a teeny bit lacking than her other books. The characters didn't feel overly filled-out or had full arcs, but in comparason the general world and the fairies felt the complete opposite, and that was great! I loved reading about the fairy lore and the tales about that world.
The ending felt a little rushed. Some character arcs where never resolved and some plot points felt a little shoved in with a "it's magic!" but overall the plot flowed well enough for a kids book.
The mental health aspects where done, in my opinion, very well. But I wouldn't expect anything else from JW, normally her books approch touchy subjects pretty well and this was no different. Having panic and stress portrayed in a child and the heavy weights she carries without processing that/being fully aware of what is happening is heartbreaking as it's something many real kids experience. Certainly one of the books I wish I had as a kid.
I first just want to say, OH MY GOD THE HARDBOOK COVER IS BEAUTIFUL!!! I always take off the dust cover on hardback's I'm actively reading to keep them safe and my jaw dropped when I saw what was under it. Genuenly a stunning, beautiful design. Not sure I'll put back on the dust cover now lmao!
I'm not sure how to feel about this book overall, but I did enjoy it even so. I've been reading Jacqueline Wilson's books since I was a child and I think this one is just a teeny bit lacking than her other books. The characters didn't feel overly filled-out or had full arcs, but in comparason the general world and the fairies felt the complete opposite, and that was great! I loved reading about the fairy lore and the tales about that world.
The ending felt a little rushed. Some character arcs where never resolved and some plot points felt a little shoved in with a "it's magic!" but overall the plot flowed well enough for a kids book.
The mental health aspects where done, in my opinion, very well. But I wouldn't expect anything else from JW, normally her books approch touchy subjects pretty well and this was no different. Having panic and stress portrayed in a child and the heavy weights she carries without processing that/being fully aware of what is happening is heartbreaking as it's something many real kids experience. Certainly one of the books I wish I had as a kid.
August 1, 2025
[3.5] This is a Jacqueline Wilson book that I didn’t read as a kid as it’s a recent novel of hers. I enjoyed it overall but it definitely would be more enjoyable for a younger reader. Fairies never really captured my imagination so the idea of finding a fairy and looking after it didn’t exactly carry the story for me as intended. I would have much rather seen Mab’s relationships with her friends be explored.
September 20, 2022
A very cute read with interesting characters. I thought Bindweed was pretty funny and the situation involving the dad was sad. It was a lovely time over all.
November 27, 2022
I never, ever thought I'd come back to Jacqueline Wilson again. I swore I wouldn't; that I was officially done after reading the crime against humanity, the abominable 'Opal Plumstead'. But I was suddenly transfixed by the cover of 'Project Fairy' in the book section of a shop one day. It was by JW, but I couldn't resist. It was too adorable - Rachael Dean is a fine, lovely illustrator for this type of children's lit - and I was in the mood for some lighthearted, harmless escapism (at least I hoped it would be harmless), maybe some fairy fantasy, and nostalgia.
Also, I didn't want to carry hate in my heart forever, and not for an author's long bibliography (not the author herself, to be clear) and works that had been a part of my childhood, and of my start in my reading life.
I decided to give her one last chance, with one final and new book. I wanted to see if she had improved some things, some issues, in her writing. Who knows? Besides, I have to give JW huge props for writing still, for doing what she loves for decades, even though a majority of her books do follow a familiar, tired formula, and use the same stock characters for the same roles and functions - the silly little brother, the absent, deadbeat father, OTT catty mean girls at school, the ex-best friend who joins the bully girls, the new best friend who's a boy, a climax involving the protagonist running away or just briefly going somewhere far away from it all, etc.
'Project Fairy' ended up being no different. But on the whole, it is a harmless little light fantasy read.
Fairies are real! Or is it the little girl protag Mab's imagination, born out of sadness and desperation? You can come to your own conclusion after finishing it. I think the fairies, who are not so sweet and saccharine like you see in other children's media, are intended to be real in 'Project Fairy'.
There's nothing really toxic here. At least there is no sign of any abusive parent apologist BS that unfortunately plagues quite a lot of JW's books - 'The Illustrated Mum', 'Lily Alone', 'Secrets', 'The Diamond Girls', 'Love Lessons', 'The Suitcase Kid', 'Best Friends', 'The Bed and Breakfast Star', 'Little Darlings', and of course 'Opal Plumstead' (I'm still seething) - which I'm sure is unintentional, it's just something I've noticed. There's no fat-shaming and fat-hatred either, but that might be because no one is described as being fat in 'Project Fairy'. Except maybe for Mab's teacher Mrs Horsely, who is only described as old, but the illustration of her is plump and bulky, too. Mab actually mentions fat-shaming once in calling another character out, which feels tacked on, unnatural and not something a young girl of indiscernible age, even in modern times, would say.
She calls a boy out on making a sexist remark, too. Is she an avatar, a proxy, of JW trying to be feminist and sensitive nowadays after all? I can only tell when a character is not white by the illustrations. Did JW have a hand in that?
How old is Mab supposed to be, anyway? I was confused. She acts mature, and then immature depending on which way the story wants her to go. She sucks her thumb once, she doesn't know what some "big" words mean (but a few times she uses other difficult words in her POV narrative), when she's supposedly a good and bright student (mostly told and not shown, typically), it is explicitly stated at one point that her school year doesn't do homework (what?), and it is also said in passing that she's a Junior. I'm British and I'm not sure what that means in terms of school years in the UK. Is it a new term? Is it before British primary school years, which are for children who are about nine to twelve years old? To add more to the confusion, an illustration of Mab's birthday cake has ten candles! In the end, I had Mab, a bundle of childhood hardships and innocence, pegged as seven or eight years old. Surely even her silly and indulgent mother wouldn't give her a pink fairy dress on her birthday and make her wear it to school if she were ten?
Woohoo, segue! Onto the mum now. Who I actually like, surprise of all surprises.
In spite of the typical girl-on-girl hate with the school bullies, and with other girls, and Mab moving on to being friends with a boy, Micky, because, and I quote, "[...] the boys in my class still talked to me. The girls were all under Cathy's influence and ignored me completely, apart from holding their noses." (page 15), there are good adult female figures in Mab's life. Like the lovable teacher Mrs Horsely, and her mum. Unlike too many JW mums, she isn't nasty, abusive or outright neglectful. She loves and adores her kids and tries her best. She's just depressed.
Before the start of the book, she had a breakdown after Mab's dad left them, and it caused Mab and her little brother Robin to be put into care, and a foster home for a bit. Since then Mum has been trying to get better in raising her kids, so she doesn't lose them again. Her obsession with fairies, and believing they are real to an extent, are in fact harmless quirks. It's her hobby, and part of who she is. Fairies and fairy paraphernalia make her happy. Mab, who initially wasn't interested in pink and "girly" things like fairies and was embarrassed by her mother's love of them, comes to see this, and appreciate her mum more later on. She never wanted her to be depressed again, that's for sure.
I kind of wish there was a mention, like a suggestion, of whether Mum was taking any kind of medication, any antidepressants, however. What about therapy? Asking for help when dealing with mental health problems big enough that you had to be institutionalised and separated from your children for a while is a good thing to represent in children's lit! Was it a good thing for Mum to deal with her depression mostly on her own? I'm not sure. It depends on the context. What I am certain and adamant about is that Mab shouldn't have to act like an adult and take care of her out of anxiety.
Something that's not important to mention but I feel I want to because it's personal and relatable: Mab's mum works in a supermarket (grocery store to my US readers), and at first she is scared of her new boss because he appears cold and distant to her, and acts like he wants to fire her. But later on, he is kind and sweet to her; it's only the adjustment period that had stressed him out, and made him distant and seemingly scary. Yeah, I totally relate to that, in my own work in retail.
Additional note: Mab is shown to be good at playing football once - brought on by her new best boy-friend, Micky, because feminism - but it never comes up again.
Mabs like rats and snakes and jungles and other cool "boy" things. Why is this not also expanded upon?
The ending is kind of rushed, too, but perhaps an open ending, where we don't know most of the characters' fates, is realistic? In a story about fairies?
JW has shown she's not afraid to include LBGTQ characters in her kids' books before (though in my opinion, 'Rent a Bridesmaid' contains her one true positive rep), and in 'Project Fairy', there is only the slight implication of queer content. When we first see Robin's group of five-year-old friends, a girl and a boy want him for a boyfriend. He agrees to be a boyfriend to both. Of course, this could be viewed as merely toddlers being cute (Mum is like, "Awe bless 'em!") and not understanding how relationships work. Plus the girl and boy aren't named and they don't appear again afterwards. Mab mentions her neighbours Michael and Lee twice or three times, and they might be a gay couple, but we never meet them, so am I reaching?
The reveal later down the line that Mab's parents were never married is an offhanded, whatever remark. Cool.
It seems that older writers can just reference Twitter once in order to convey that their story definitely takes place in the current age.
Overuse of exclamation points! are! unnecessary!!!
In conclusion, as predictable as 'Project Fairy' is - to me, who is well versed in JW's formulas - and as silly and nonsensical as the kids' book is, I'm pleased I gave it a chance, and gave Jacqueline Wilson a second chance. I am well aware I am around two decades past her predominant target audience now (OW, that is depressing), and I shouldn't judge too harshly. Likely I'll never read any other new novels by her, unless Rachael Dean's pretty and colourful covers can strike my childlike whimsy heart again, but it was worth a shot. Nothing lost, nothing wasted.
Final Score: 3/5
Also, I didn't want to carry hate in my heart forever, and not for an author's long bibliography (not the author herself, to be clear) and works that had been a part of my childhood, and of my start in my reading life.
I decided to give her one last chance, with one final and new book. I wanted to see if she had improved some things, some issues, in her writing. Who knows? Besides, I have to give JW huge props for writing still, for doing what she loves for decades, even though a majority of her books do follow a familiar, tired formula, and use the same stock characters for the same roles and functions - the silly little brother, the absent, deadbeat father, OTT catty mean girls at school, the ex-best friend who joins the bully girls, the new best friend who's a boy, a climax involving the protagonist running away or just briefly going somewhere far away from it all, etc.
'Project Fairy' ended up being no different. But on the whole, it is a harmless little light fantasy read.
Fairies are real! Or is it the little girl protag Mab's imagination, born out of sadness and desperation? You can come to your own conclusion after finishing it. I think the fairies, who are not so sweet and saccharine like you see in other children's media, are intended to be real in 'Project Fairy'.
There's nothing really toxic here. At least there is no sign of any abusive parent apologist BS that unfortunately plagues quite a lot of JW's books - 'The Illustrated Mum', 'Lily Alone', 'Secrets', 'The Diamond Girls', 'Love Lessons', 'The Suitcase Kid', 'Best Friends', 'The Bed and Breakfast Star', 'Little Darlings', and of course 'Opal Plumstead' (I'm still seething) - which I'm sure is unintentional, it's just something I've noticed. There's no fat-shaming and fat-hatred either, but that might be because no one is described as being fat in 'Project Fairy'. Except maybe for Mab's teacher Mrs Horsely, who is only described as old, but the illustration of her is plump and bulky, too. Mab actually mentions fat-shaming once in calling another character out, which feels tacked on, unnatural and not something a young girl of indiscernible age, even in modern times, would say.
She calls a boy out on making a sexist remark, too. Is she an avatar, a proxy, of JW trying to be feminist and sensitive nowadays after all? I can only tell when a character is not white by the illustrations. Did JW have a hand in that?
How old is Mab supposed to be, anyway? I was confused. She acts mature, and then immature depending on which way the story wants her to go. She sucks her thumb once, she doesn't know what some "big" words mean (but a few times she uses other difficult words in her POV narrative), when she's supposedly a good and bright student (mostly told and not shown, typically), it is explicitly stated at one point that her school year doesn't do homework (what?), and it is also said in passing that she's a Junior. I'm British and I'm not sure what that means in terms of school years in the UK. Is it a new term? Is it before British primary school years, which are for children who are about nine to twelve years old? To add more to the confusion, an illustration of Mab's birthday cake has ten candles! In the end, I had Mab, a bundle of childhood hardships and innocence, pegged as seven or eight years old. Surely even her silly and indulgent mother wouldn't give her a pink fairy dress on her birthday and make her wear it to school if she were ten?
Woohoo, segue! Onto the mum now. Who I actually like, surprise of all surprises.
In spite of the typical girl-on-girl hate with the school bullies, and with other girls, and Mab moving on to being friends with a boy, Micky, because, and I quote, "[...] the boys in my class still talked to me. The girls were all under Cathy's influence and ignored me completely, apart from holding their noses." (page 15), there are good adult female figures in Mab's life. Like the lovable teacher Mrs Horsely, and her mum. Unlike too many JW mums, she isn't nasty, abusive or outright neglectful. She loves and adores her kids and tries her best. She's just depressed.
Before the start of the book, she had a breakdown after Mab's dad left them, and it caused Mab and her little brother Robin to be put into care, and a foster home for a bit. Since then Mum has been trying to get better in raising her kids, so she doesn't lose them again. Her obsession with fairies, and believing they are real to an extent, are in fact harmless quirks. It's her hobby, and part of who she is. Fairies and fairy paraphernalia make her happy. Mab, who initially wasn't interested in pink and "girly" things like fairies and was embarrassed by her mother's love of them, comes to see this, and appreciate her mum more later on. She never wanted her to be depressed again, that's for sure.
I kind of wish there was a mention, like a suggestion, of whether Mum was taking any kind of medication, any antidepressants, however. What about therapy? Asking for help when dealing with mental health problems big enough that you had to be institutionalised and separated from your children for a while is a good thing to represent in children's lit! Was it a good thing for Mum to deal with her depression mostly on her own? I'm not sure. It depends on the context. What I am certain and adamant about is that Mab shouldn't have to act like an adult and take care of her out of anxiety.
Something that's not important to mention but I feel I want to because it's personal and relatable: Mab's mum works in a supermarket (grocery store to my US readers), and at first she is scared of her new boss because he appears cold and distant to her, and acts like he wants to fire her. But later on, he is kind and sweet to her; it's only the adjustment period that had stressed him out, and made him distant and seemingly scary. Yeah, I totally relate to that, in my own work in retail.
Additional note: Mab is shown to be good at playing football once - brought on by her new best boy-friend, Micky, because feminism - but it never comes up again.
Mabs like rats and snakes and jungles and other cool "boy" things. Why is this not also expanded upon?
The ending is kind of rushed, too, but perhaps an open ending, where we don't know most of the characters' fates, is realistic? In a story about fairies?
JW has shown she's not afraid to include LBGTQ characters in her kids' books before (though in my opinion, 'Rent a Bridesmaid' contains her one true positive rep), and in 'Project Fairy', there is only the slight implication of queer content. When we first see Robin's group of five-year-old friends, a girl and a boy want him for a boyfriend. He agrees to be a boyfriend to both. Of course, this could be viewed as merely toddlers being cute (Mum is like, "Awe bless 'em!") and not understanding how relationships work. Plus the girl and boy aren't named and they don't appear again afterwards. Mab mentions her neighbours Michael and Lee twice or three times, and they might be a gay couple, but we never meet them, so am I reaching?
The reveal later down the line that Mab's parents were never married is an offhanded, whatever remark. Cool.
It seems that older writers can just reference Twitter once in order to convey that their story definitely takes place in the current age.
Overuse of exclamation points! are! unnecessary!!!
In conclusion, as predictable as 'Project Fairy' is - to me, who is well versed in JW's formulas - and as silly and nonsensical as the kids' book is, I'm pleased I gave it a chance, and gave Jacqueline Wilson a second chance. I am well aware I am around two decades past her predominant target audience now (OW, that is depressing), and I shouldn't judge too harshly. Likely I'll never read any other new novels by her, unless Rachael Dean's pretty and colourful covers can strike my childlike whimsy heart again, but it was worth a shot. Nothing lost, nothing wasted.
Final Score: 3/5
May 27, 2024
I enjoyed this little read. It was so nice reading a new Jacqueline Wilson book, although it hardly felt like it was hers. I guess I’m so used to her older writing like Candyfloss and My sister Jodie, that a fairy tale was a pleasant change. It was beautifully illustrated by Rachael Dean and there was lots of lovely illustrations throughout the book. I liked Mab’s mum and felt sorry for the family dealing with life without their dad. But I loved the family dynamic and how hard they all tried to be together, how Mab didn’t want to hurt her mums feelings and how she looked out for her mum.
Potential spoiler:
I did think though that something should’ve been resolved at her school. JW could’ve had Billie stick up for Mab and join her and Micky in play. And I think Mr Henry could’ve shown interest in fairies for Mab’s mum to feel better about her liking of them, when Mab’s dad called her weird for liking them. Like there should’ve been more of a happy ending with her family and friends, so I think the ending was a bit rushed to be finished with the fairy.
Like I said, I didn’t feel like this book was written by JW as it was similar to some of her previous books she had written. We have fairies (midnights), A bunch of bullies in a club called the ABCs as their names start with the first letter of the alphabet (sleepovers), and a girl has to make a project on something (the lottie project). This book also had a bit of clean break similarities, and although I did enjoy this story, it wasn’t anything particularly special and unique. But it is a children’s book so 🤷♀️😂
Potential spoiler:
I did think though that something should’ve been resolved at her school. JW could’ve had Billie stick up for Mab and join her and Micky in play. And I think Mr Henry could’ve shown interest in fairies for Mab’s mum to feel better about her liking of them, when Mab’s dad called her weird for liking them. Like there should’ve been more of a happy ending with her family and friends, so I think the ending was a bit rushed to be finished with the fairy.
Like I said, I didn’t feel like this book was written by JW as it was similar to some of her previous books she had written. We have fairies (midnights), A bunch of bullies in a club called the ABCs as their names start with the first letter of the alphabet (sleepovers), and a girl has to make a project on something (the lottie project). This book also had a bit of clean break similarities, and although I did enjoy this story, it wasn’t anything particularly special and unique. But it is a children’s book so 🤷♀️😂
September 25, 2022
I was lucky enough to meet Jacqueline at an event earlier in the month and managed to get a signed copy of her new book Project Fairy.
I grew up on Jacqueline Wilsons stories and still enjoy them as an adult reader so I was excited to get started on this one. Despite the fact I will always have a soft spot for the covers illustrated by Nick, I love what the new illustrator has done with this cover and I think it captures the characters and story perfectly.
The book beneath the dust jacket is illustrated beautifully too which is a nice touch.
I don’t like to include spoilers in any of my reviews so I will just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and like all the authors other works, the book managed to pull me in with the strong believable characters and plot even as an adult reader. I would have loved this story as a child.
I loved the main character Mab and Bindweed was such an imaginative creation. It’s not easy to bring a fairy to life but this was done brilliantly. The book also deals with other topics such as fitting in at school, bullying and friendships.
I would highly recommend buying this for children but also for any adult veteran Jacqueline Wilson fans (like me) as well.
I grew up on Jacqueline Wilsons stories and still enjoy them as an adult reader so I was excited to get started on this one. Despite the fact I will always have a soft spot for the covers illustrated by Nick, I love what the new illustrator has done with this cover and I think it captures the characters and story perfectly.
The book beneath the dust jacket is illustrated beautifully too which is a nice touch.
I don’t like to include spoilers in any of my reviews so I will just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and like all the authors other works, the book managed to pull me in with the strong believable characters and plot even as an adult reader. I would have loved this story as a child.
I loved the main character Mab and Bindweed was such an imaginative creation. It’s not easy to bring a fairy to life but this was done brilliantly. The book also deals with other topics such as fitting in at school, bullying and friendships.
I would highly recommend buying this for children but also for any adult veteran Jacqueline Wilson fans (like me) as well.
September 1, 2024
4.5⭐️ better read in one sitting.
December 21, 2022
Another lovely book from Jacqueline Wilson, an easy 4.25 stars from me. I've read all her new books and absolutely adore Rachael Dean's illustrations, and this was no different for me... and definitely the kind of book I would have loved to read as a child, filled with fairy magic and history and all the heartache and family angst you'd expect from JW.
'Project Fairy' follows Mabs, an albeit irritating protagonist (hence the missing 0.75 star!) and her unconventional mother and little brother. Mabs does encompass the same trademark features of most JW protagonists, with her pale skin and mousy hair and skinny legs, but that's probably to do with her own childhood and insecurities. The illustrations are more diverse than I've seen in a JW book for a long time, which was also so nice to see.
Mabs was just so jarring at points, with her strange grasp of... I don't even know how to word it. Maybe that was the point of her character, I don't know, but as an adult, it's easier to see through her supposed maturity at a poor attempt at being politically correct. Mabs criticises someone for "fat-shaming" when they refer to her as a "lump" (referring to her size, as the person in question was about seven centimetres tall) and goes on to call another boy sexist, which comes across as quite out of character for a nine or ten-year-old.
Unlike some of JW's earlier books, Mabs' mum is clearly suffering (from depression, it would appear her confidence in general) but the subject is broached with care and sympathy, and it's apparent Mabs doesn't blame her mum for sometimes not being able to care for them. At those times, the care system stoops in to look after the siblings, with her mother's recovery their main priority. This isn't surprising. JW's books have become so much more sensitive over the years, thinking from a different perspective to the books which perhaps most readers my age might remember. The care system is portrayed with little distaste, and don't try to tear the family apart, but put them back together again.
I really love how realistically the storyline with Mabs' dad comes across, too. Without spoiling the plot, he doesn't serve as some fairytale prince coming to whisk Mabs' mum off her feet, but for what he is... a coward, and a failure. But it doesn't really matter, because Mabs' mum is trying her best to stay happy and healthy, and the kids are well-rounded and have everything they need. The illustrations and depictions of their lives are just so cosy.
The fantasy element was equally lovely, with that typical Victorian twist present in all my favourite JW books. If you haven't read Jacqueline Wilson for a while, I definitely recommend starting with this.
'Project Fairy' follows Mabs, an albeit irritating protagonist (hence the missing 0.75 star!) and her unconventional mother and little brother. Mabs does encompass the same trademark features of most JW protagonists, with her pale skin and mousy hair and skinny legs, but that's probably to do with her own childhood and insecurities. The illustrations are more diverse than I've seen in a JW book for a long time, which was also so nice to see.
Mabs was just so jarring at points, with her strange grasp of... I don't even know how to word it. Maybe that was the point of her character, I don't know, but as an adult, it's easier to see through her supposed maturity at a poor attempt at being politically correct. Mabs criticises someone for "fat-shaming" when they refer to her as a "lump" (referring to her size, as the person in question was about seven centimetres tall) and goes on to call another boy sexist, which comes across as quite out of character for a nine or ten-year-old.
Unlike some of JW's earlier books, Mabs' mum is clearly suffering (from depression, it would appear her confidence in general) but the subject is broached with care and sympathy, and it's apparent Mabs doesn't blame her mum for sometimes not being able to care for them. At those times, the care system stoops in to look after the siblings, with her mother's recovery their main priority. This isn't surprising. JW's books have become so much more sensitive over the years, thinking from a different perspective to the books which perhaps most readers my age might remember. The care system is portrayed with little distaste, and don't try to tear the family apart, but put them back together again.
I really love how realistically the storyline with Mabs' dad comes across, too. Without spoiling the plot, he doesn't serve as some fairytale prince coming to whisk Mabs' mum off her feet, but for what he is... a coward, and a failure. But it doesn't really matter, because Mabs' mum is trying her best to stay happy and healthy, and the kids are well-rounded and have everything they need. The illustrations and depictions of their lives are just so cosy.
The fantasy element was equally lovely, with that typical Victorian twist present in all my favourite JW books. If you haven't read Jacqueline Wilson for a while, I definitely recommend starting with this.
October 10, 2022
🧚♀️
Even though I'm not in the typical bracket for her books, I will continue to buy and read Jackie's books until she no longer does.
🧚♀️
The main reason I will continue, is one, I have bought and read all of her books since I was a child, and they hold a very special place in my heart. Secondly, reading them is like the return of a friend, or a cosy jumper. Jackie's writing style, although has evolved over the years, keeps a similar structure, such as a non traditional home life/family, characters being themselves, even though it may not appear to be the "norm".
🧚♀️
As I've got older, I've understood a lot more about the adults/parents, with their struggles, such as protecting their families, financial worries, mental health and general well-being.
🧚♀️
My favourite part of this book, as similar to her other books, the last quarter of the book is the best part, the story starts to wrap up neatly, and even though everything isn't perfect, that's OK.
Even though I'm not in the typical bracket for her books, I will continue to buy and read Jackie's books until she no longer does.
🧚♀️
The main reason I will continue, is one, I have bought and read all of her books since I was a child, and they hold a very special place in my heart. Secondly, reading them is like the return of a friend, or a cosy jumper. Jackie's writing style, although has evolved over the years, keeps a similar structure, such as a non traditional home life/family, characters being themselves, even though it may not appear to be the "norm".
🧚♀️
As I've got older, I've understood a lot more about the adults/parents, with their struggles, such as protecting their families, financial worries, mental health and general well-being.
🧚♀️
My favourite part of this book, as similar to her other books, the last quarter of the book is the best part, the story starts to wrap up neatly, and even though everything isn't perfect, that's OK.
May 31, 2024
As a child Jacqueline Wilson was my favourite author so every time I feel a little low I'll either re-read or read one of her books to give me a bit of escapism into my childhood. Jacqueline Wilson has written some absolutely incredible books in her time.... however this one, not so much.
I did love Mab as a character and think she's incredibly brave and enjoyed how the book highlighted things like mental illness, parents abandoning families, bullying, financial difficulties, children having to support siblings and parents etc in a gentle manner to highlight how it can impact a child - the story itself was slow and at times, a little boring. 3/5 stars from me. However I will never ever give up on Jacqueline Wilson books and she will always remain one of my favourite authors.
I did love Mab as a character and think she's incredibly brave and enjoyed how the book highlighted things like mental illness, parents abandoning families, bullying, financial difficulties, children having to support siblings and parents etc in a gentle manner to highlight how it can impact a child - the story itself was slow and at times, a little boring. 3/5 stars from me. However I will never ever give up on Jacqueline Wilson books and she will always remain one of my favourite authors.
August 23, 2023
2,75⭐️
Bon un peu déçue de cette lecture. J’adore les jeunesses, mais pour le coup c’était vraiment enfantin :(
On nous parle de fées dans le résumé, j’attendais vraiment plus de magie dans l’histoire, dommage car ça aurait rajouté un peu de paillettes à l’intrigue.
Par contre je suis impressionnée de la façon dont des sujets importants sont traités. Inconsciemment la d*pression, l’abandon d’un parent, l’acceptation d’une famille recomposée, l’h*rcèlement scolaire sont traités. J’ai trouvé ça très bien mené par l’autrice.
Je conseille pour des parents qui souhaiteraient initier leurs enfants à la lecture 🥰
Bon un peu déçue de cette lecture. J’adore les jeunesses, mais pour le coup c’était vraiment enfantin :(
On nous parle de fées dans le résumé, j’attendais vraiment plus de magie dans l’histoire, dommage car ça aurait rajouté un peu de paillettes à l’intrigue.
Par contre je suis impressionnée de la façon dont des sujets importants sont traités. Inconsciemment la d*pression, l’abandon d’un parent, l’acceptation d’une famille recomposée, l’h*rcèlement scolaire sont traités. J’ai trouvé ça très bien mené par l’autrice.
Je conseille pour des parents qui souhaiteraient initier leurs enfants à la lecture 🥰
December 31, 2025
A sweet story,
about a girl who doesn't like how her Mom really likes fairies.
the girl thinks if anyone found out that her house is filled
with fairy decorations she would be such a loser.
Then the teacher gives her a book about fairies,
she then finds a fairy in the book and she finds out that
fairies are not myths.
Then her opinion on fairies starts to change
and she finds out that fairies aren't rainbows and sunshine.
That there small creatures with a bit of magic and live in the plants
so they are not seen.
They don't eat cakes and sugar every day ( though this fairy does like most food ).
Fairies are amazing.
about a girl who doesn't like how her Mom really likes fairies.
the girl thinks if anyone found out that her house is filled
with fairy decorations she would be such a loser.
Then the teacher gives her a book about fairies,
she then finds a fairy in the book and she finds out that
fairies are not myths.
Then her opinion on fairies starts to change
and she finds out that fairies aren't rainbows and sunshine.
That there small creatures with a bit of magic and live in the plants
so they are not seen.
They don't eat cakes and sugar every day ( though this fairy does like most food ).
Fairies are amazing.
April 16, 2023
This is a really good book. Mab doesn't have many friends and is bullied, partly due to fairies. Things change when a real fairy comes out of a book. Will it be good or bad? I like how fairies don't fit what people believe. I really like the illustrations because they make each character look different. I like the characters because they remind me of other books I like. The book makes me feel a bit sad for Mab, but I like what I've read so far. I would definitely recommend it because it is a really hilarious book.
December 30, 2024
Project Fairy is, OH MY GOODNESS! Amazing! I love little Robin, Mab's little sister, and her princess, fairy mum. She's always hanging fairy lights and glitter around the house at night, so when Mab wake up, mum says the fairy's have been. Robin, who's only young, takes it seriously, but Mab's getting very sick and tired of it. The flat smells of sickly sweet perfume, and when mum gifts her the worst present ever for Mab's birthday, she's had enough, are fairy's real? Will Mab believe them? Another great story from Jacqueline Wilson, Thank you so much! Recommendation: 10/10!
June 12, 2025
reading a Jacqueline Wilson book transports me right back to my junior reading days. this was a lovely story about a young girl who lives with her mum and little brother who is given a strange book about fairies and discovers a world outside of her little bubble. ad an adult reading this you can see Jacqueline covers many themes that may affect young people who this is aimed for, broken families, mental health, bullying and freidnships and the power or being kind and being rewarded for kindness. this was a whimsical nostalgic book for me which I enjoyed.
March 28, 2023
After all these years, Jacqueline Wilson still has the power to captivate readers with her wonderful, emotionally charged books. I love how she mixed the real-life feelings of a child dealing with bullies at school and an absent father with the fantasy world of fairies and magic. Rachael Dean's illustrations beautifully complimented the story. It was a great book that I'd happily recommend to any Jacqueline Wilson fan, young or old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2022
Do you believe in families, friendship and fairies? Mab deals with bullies at school and a family still recovering from the shock exit of her father which lead to her mother's breakdown. Plus there is her mother's fascination with fairies which really doesn't suit our tomboy protagonist. But when something falls out of a book given to her by her teacher, things begin to change and she discovers that life can be better.
April 15, 2023
2.5 stars
Not a single problem presented was solved by the end. It’s also painfully obvious how there are (incorrect) references put in for modern kids to relate to, like watching cat videos on YouTube. Y’know, that thing youtube was used for over a decade ago? I’m fully aware I’m not the intended audience, but still, this was boring.
Not a single problem presented was solved by the end. It’s also painfully obvious how there are (incorrect) references put in for modern kids to relate to, like watching cat videos on YouTube. Y’know, that thing youtube was used for over a decade ago? I’m fully aware I’m not the intended audience, but still, this was boring.
July 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Mab read like a real child, and I especially loved how the book handled complex family situations in a casual and natural way. The personal relationships in the book were a highlight. The vocabulary of the writing was also nice - mostly simple, but engaging, with some bigger words dotted in to help children expand their vocabularies.
January 8, 2025
Mab's mum is a single parent who was poorly and adores fairies: fairy trinkets, paintings, fairy houses, and fairy costumes for her daughter to wear. But Mab doesn't like fairies the same way and doesn't want to upset her mum, knowing she has been through so much. It's a kind teacher, a school project, and a real fairy that helps Mab with her family.
January 4, 2023
An easy read to start the year with. Obviously not aimed for adults but still a nostalgic read. I enjoyed the up to date references and the attempt to include themes such as mental health struggles and bullying which I believe are important to vocalise for young people who are the intended audience.
January 21, 2023
I enjoyed it quite a lot. I loved the way the fairy's have a bit of attitude and do not look quite how you'd expect them to! It does have a few sad moments,but overall a very good book! Would recommend! And would read again!
April 5, 2023
Project fairy is a great book of a gorgeous connection between a fairy and a human called Mab.
When her dad leaves her very early and gets a new family, Mab, her brother and her mother start to feel ill. Then the new visitor, the fairy, needs a new home. Can they solve all of there problems?
When her dad leaves her very early and gets a new family, Mab, her brother and her mother start to feel ill. Then the new visitor, the fairy, needs a new home. Can they solve all of there problems?
October 31, 2025
A very fun and sweet story, with good emotional beats. I really enjoyed the characters, mainly Mab and Bindweed.
However, I felt the book ended too abruptly--at least one more scene in the classroom with the ABCs and Mikey was really needed, it somewhat felt like they were forgotten by the end!
However, I felt the book ended too abruptly--at least one more scene in the classroom with the ABCs and Mikey was really needed, it somewhat felt like they were forgotten by the end!
October 31, 2022
A lovely easy read while I wasn't feeling very well. I will always love and enjoy Jacqueline Wilson's books
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