Stella, Fairy of the Forest

Stella

by Marie-Louise Gay

In their third adventure, Stella and her little brother, Sam, explore the magic of the forest. Butterflies, snakes, rocks and sheep provide fuel for Sam's curious little-brother questions and Stella's confident big-sister answers. Stella, Fairy of the Forest is gently humorous and perfectly captures the playful yet trusting relationship between Stella and Sam.

Marie-Louise Gay's exquisite, joy-filled watercolor illustrations bring the wonder of the forest alive as the duo journey towards their fort where Sam resolves to stay forever.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Nature, Animals, Fiction, Adventure

32 pages, Novelty Book

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Marie-Louise Gay is the illustrator of many award-winning children's books. She is from Montreal, Canada.

Reviews

[itselv]

What a silly &whimsical journey!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of reading the endearingly written and whimsically illustrated Stella and Sam books. In this one, Stella and Sam venture into the forest to see if they can find a fairy. Sam, ever cautious, has lots of questions for the adventurous Stella, which she answers with the utmost confidence, if not accuracy. I like to think of her answers as poetically correct. "Do butterflies eat butter?" asked Sam. "Yellow butterflies do," said Stella. Another sweet and fun read from Marie-Louise Gay.

[Heather Bowden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book for its content but it would be great for a mini-lesson on quotation marks and different ways to enter and get out of the quotation marks.

[Carolyn]

Marie-Louise Gay’s picture books about Sam and Stella are marvelous. This, their third adventure, begins when Sam asks Stella about fairies. Stella knows just where to find some. She leads Sam on a pleasant walk through gorgeous meadows, across a sparkling stream and into a magical forest.

This Stella and Sam story is truly lovely especially in its treatment of the siblings’ relationship. Sam, who is nervous, clearly looks up to his confident older sister and Stella is more than happy to share her knowledge of the outdoors and all things magical with her younger brother.

Ms. Gay’s distinctive illustrations have a luminous quality, particularly her depictions of the delightful red-head heroine, Stella. Don’t miss it!

32 pages and suitable for children aged three and up. Stella, Fairy of the Forest is well- suited to circle time and could be used as part of a preschool or kindergarten Family or Forest theme.

On our list of Wonderful Canadian Picture Books
http://goo.gl/bxDAro

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books're very sweet, in a way that isn't too adult-geared to appeal to kids.

In this one, Stella and Sam venture (alone! it's a bit free-range, which may thrill or terrify you) into the woods, with Sam asking lots of cautious questions and Stella offering confident - if somewhat inaccurate - answers. But even in their inaccuracies they're good answers.

[Scott Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations. Lends itself to children who use their imagination and have many questions about nature. I would use this book for children to write about an adventure they had in the woods or field with a friend or family member. Would be a good intro for talking about animals in nature such as bees, turtles, snakes and how they can be scary but misunderstood.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Stella and Sam on tv, but Mini-Me is usually less impressed - which is why I was surprised when she chose this book from the library. Lucky me, though. :) This book has all the whimsy and joy of the show, and Mini-Me at least seemed interested. I'm hoping this one gets chosen for a re-read or two.

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie-Louise Gay is, by far, my favorite illustrator. She's combined her talents here and written one of a series of books that captures the heart, imagination and curious spirit of anyone who reads it.

I love love LOVE the Stella (and Sam!) series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet story, well- loved for its whimsical illustrations and endearing exchanges between Stella and her little brother Sam.

"Do butterflies eat butter?" asked Sam.

"Yellow butterflies do," said Stella.

"Then I guess blue butterflies eat pieces of sky."

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella helps her brother Sam to overcome his fears. It is a wonderful story about looking out for others and being creative. I also love that there are several Stella and Sam books so we can follow their characters!

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book of Stella's continuing tale of adventures with her brother, they find themselves heading to the forest in search of fairies. Along the way they encounter different animals and postulate about the trees and rocks.

Lovely illustrations.

[Kayli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just got a bunch of these books (Stella books) from the library and I thought they were so cute.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is too sweet--the narration and dialogue is just right and the illustrations are amazing. She is too cool of an artist...

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Brother and sister exchange questions and answers that may or may not be exactly correct

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lovely and fun installment in the Stella series. The illustrations and lovely and lively and the story and dialogue are very fun.

[Rachel Flan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Probably wouldn't use in class discussions.

[Sara Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I stumbled across these Stella books. Gay captures the essence of imaginative conversation that occurs between two young siblings as they go exploring. LOVE. IT.

[Sonia Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Stella and her red hair which makes a splash of colour in the forest

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two remind me of my daughter and son, Lucy and Lincoln resp.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and series charmingly depict two young kids exploring the outdoors and coming up with creative explanations for their curious question.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 a cute book about trees, and rocks, and the woods and fairies. It got a good chuckle.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite book about siblings. The dialog sounds exactly like what I'd expect from my little ones. I am so glad there's a series of them.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goes on a bit compared to Stella by the Sea.

[Maexo♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love reading Stella and Sam books. They're so whimsical with their light-heartedness, and make me feel like I'm right there with Stella and Sam on their adventure. I really enjoyed reading this one because Stella and Sam go on this little woodland adventure through a meadow with sheep below, through a little creek, and end up laying beneath this fort of ferns and twigs. Sam is ever so curious and Stella is such a great big sister and always encourages Sam to use his imagination. It's just such a pleasant read!

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story isn’t what I was expecting, the watercolor illustrations are beautifully whimsical. The story started off great - the too-trusting little brother Sam following after Stella, his big sister. Stella’s imagination and clever child-like answers to Sam’s questions are the best parts of the book. However, after awhile, the pattern of 1. Encounter an animal 2. Sam asks a question 3. Stella answers the question becomes tedious. I was really hoping for an encounter with a fairy.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella invites Sam to visit the forest so they can see the fairies. Sam has a lot of questions, but Stella has a lot of answers. They observe and explore and build, and maybe, they even see something magical.

There isn't a strong plot here, but Stella and Sam are so clever and cozy. It warms my heart to read about them and see their childlike logic. The illustrations are sweet, and the concept thoughtful. New favorite picture book series!

[Iggylizard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was cute when it was the only “Stella” book we had read. But, by the time I got through three of these books, I was over saying “Said Stella” and “said sam” over and over again. The books read like a conversation and don’t really have much a story element to them. Out of all the children’s books there are to choose from, I probably wouldn’t willingly pick these up again.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up, I had a book called “Yuck: A Love Story” and when researching Canadian children’s book authors I recognized that Marie-Louise Gay wrote and illustrated it! That took my on an adventure to finding the Stella books. I love her relationship with her brother, Sam, and their adorable imaginative conversations. I also adore the illustrations!

[Debbie Reads]

Started working at my new school!! I usually play games like hot potato and stuff like that at circle but today I wanted to read a book. It was hard to get them to transition to a book instead of games but I managed to do it. I loved this book, kids didn’t. I still remember Sam and Stella as a kid (that’s dating me but I swear I’m not ancient as the kids say I am)!

[Cleyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes you through a fun and magical adventure from a childs perspective. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. I liked how the illustrator used several perspectives and found a way to capture how a child can turn regular woods into something enchanted.