cover image The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart

The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart

Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, illus. by Christine Davenier. Little, Brown, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-316-18559-2

For a sparkle-loving fairy princess like Andrews and Hamilton’s Gerry, it’s no surprise that Valentine’s Day is an extra-special occasion. Tiara, wings, and “all my heart-shaped accessories” are needed for her school party. However, in her haste to catch the bus, Gerry leaves with her father’s work folder instead of the one containing her valentines—a disappointment, yes (“Fairy princesses must maintain their composure, especially in public”), but one that turns into an improvisational opportunity. Fans of Gerry’s earlier books should find the heroine as vivacious as ever. Davenier blends carefree color swirls and accents with precise pencil lines, keeping the story from feeling cookie-cutter. Ages 3–6. (Jan.)