NEWBIE FAIRY

An inexperienced young Slug Fairy finds the perfect use for her curious talent.

Oona Bramblegoop cares for a coterie of snarky slugs and cavorts in Blackberry Bog with her cousin Horace. Her magic is rather wonky; her conjuring efforts often result in minor disaster. The only magic she’s mastered is a spell that keeps her clumsy cousin from tumbling down…by giving him a wedgie when he’s about to fall. Oona isn’t a popular fairy, and when she isn’t invited to the Fairy Awards, she opts to throw her own show—the Slug Awards. But when she accidentally casts a stinky spell that ruins the Fairy Awards, her powers are temporarily suspended. In hopes of improving her social standing, she decides to help Lucy, the celebrated Tooth Fairy, with her nightly duties. Their partnership results in some goofy antics (slugs and undies are involved) as well as positive developments for both fairies. Though there’s plenty of wacky humor, the book also folds in sound messages about persistence, teamwork, and constructive responses to criticism. And a fairy who socializes with gastropods and conjures up undergarments makes for a delightfully unlikely hero—the potential for future Bramblegoop adventures is high. Shading and hairstyles imply racial diversity in the pink-hued illustrations; Lucy wears braids and appears to be darker-skinned than Oona.

Weirdly conceived but strangely compelling.