Fairy Houses and Beyond!

This book arrived and gives me joy each time I pick it up. I keep it next to my bed for ideas to craft the next day.

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever seen a fairy's house? Author Tracy Kane has written and illustrated The Fairy Houses Series® of children's books, which consists of Fairy Houses, Fairy Boat, and Fairy Flight. These have sparked an interest in building fairy houses, which has fostered various workshops and community events, which in turn have helped to bring families closer together as they explore the wonders of nature. One of the "rules" for building fairy houses is that they must be made of all-natural materials. Tracy's husband, Barry Kane, photographed many of these fairy houses and published Fairy Houses . . . Everywhere! It shows how fairy houses are evolving into fairy villages, castles, art colonies, garden communities, other neighborhoods, and even spas! So the Kanes have produced this second enchanting book of photographs with Fairy Houses and Beyond, which shows different environments, such as woods, beaches, meadows, mountains, the tropics, and even the tundra, in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, along with the stories behind some of them. Most of the books that I review for Stories for Children Magazine are children's picture books and youth literature, including fiction and nonfiction. I have also done a few volumes of poetry. Fairy Houses and Beyond is much different and would probably be classified primarily as a work of photography. And truly the colorful photographs by Barry Kane are sumptuous feasts for the eyes. What a creative way to capture the attention of children and stimulate their imaginations!

Genre: Children's Environmental Book Title: Fairy Houses and Beyond! Author: Barry & Tracy Kane The authors of, Fairy Houses and Beyond, have captured the true essence of the child's way of life through imagination and creation. In writing an environmentally-friendly book, they were able to bring adult and child together in a new way that hasn't been known to man in a very long time. By reading this book, you will see that it has the power to rekindle any mind, young or old. Every photograph tells a story. The story that it tells is perhaps unknown to the reader but not to the creator. The presence of the exotic pictures gives the reader so many new ideas and you can feel your imagination widening by the turning of every page. This book shows us that every child has the ability to visualize a whole new world outside of their own and that they should embrace it, not hide from it. Barry and Tracy Kane have put together a book that just might have enough influence to change our generation. Tracy Kane majored in illustration at Philadelphia College of Art and worked in Public Television as a commercial artist for several years. She created the highly successful "Fairy Houses Series" of children's books with her husband, Barry Kane who is a photographer. In conclusion, by adding personal stories from real people and real `Fairy Houses', it makes the book that much more relative. This book is a beautiful piece of art and it just might have the potential to break the barrier between humans and technology. Highly Recommended for parents wanting to create a stronger bond between their children and nature by Reviewer: Nicole Harris, Allbooks Reviews

Reviewed by Avery McGinn (age 7) for Reader Views (9/08) "Fairy Houses and Beyond!" by Barry and Tracy Kane is a book mostly made up of fascinating and beautiful pictures of fairy houses and villages. There are a few stories in the book about other people's experiences with building fairy houses. I got a great idea to use dog hair to make a soft floor for the fairies. I can't wait to brush my dogs! The pictures in this book are fantastic. They gave me lots of ideas for building future fairy houses. I now plan to have a fairy-house-building birthday party. I can look at the pictures and make a list of all the supplies I will need for my party. "Fairy Houses and Beyond!" by Barry and Tracy Kane is perfect for kids of all ages and even grownups too. My mom really, really loves this book. Your mom (or your kid) will love it too.

One doesn't need to visit a crafts store to enjoy all the fun enjoyed in the practice of building what are known as 'Fairy Houses". Co-authored by Barry and Tracky Kane, "Fairy Houses and Beyond!" is a compilation of photographs of various craft projects out in nature created by products found in nature such as the remains of fruits and vegetables, leaves, twigs, and other natural remnants. Aimed to appear as the village of fairies, and highly recommended to the attention of anyone seeking to create this unique structures themselves, "Fairy Houses and Beyond!" is a collection of charming full color photographs showcasing and illustrated what can be done with a little imagination and a lot of enjoyment.