I had forgotten Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote a bit of poetry until a friend mentioned Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Fairy Poems, compiled by Stephen W. Hines, illustrated by Richard Hull. Laura is usually more matter-of-fact than fanciful, though some of her descriptions are lovely. So I was interested to see how she did with fairy poems. Hines provides a brief introduction, telling how Laura came to write the poems for the San Francisco Bulletin. Then he shares an adaptation of an essay Laura wrote called “Fairies Still Appear to Those With Seeing Eyes.”

There are only five poems in the book, spread out over several pages with a number of illustrations. The poems are very old-fashioned, naturally, as they describe the various activities fairies are involved in. I’m not normally into fairy poems, so I don’t know how they would measure up for young readers today.

Honestly, I didn’t care for the illustrations much. I think I would have preferred lighter colors, maybe a watercolor effect. I liked the detail of the plants and animals, but not the fairies and people.

Cute fairy poems. I love the illustrations.

A cute children's book

I loves this book. The best part was the introduction! a close second after that were the wonderful illustrations.

beautiful poems to read as bedtime stories for 3 or 4 year olds.

Mostly notable as an interesting bit of the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The poetry is mediocre and the art a bit unnerving. Not terrible, but not great.

This is really just a trifle: five short fairy poems which probably wouldn't garner any notice if they weren't by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They're very typical light verse, and the meter falters in a couple spots. The art isn't to my taste, but that's irrelevant. I think I'd be a little cranky if I'd dished out $15.95 for this bitsy volume instead of reading them at the library. Bottom line -- this is best suited to the top tier of Wilder-devotees, and I have not yet reached that pinnacle.

This fairy poem book was so cute to read! I really enjoyed the poems they had inside and it allows you to flash back to your childhood memories as a little girl. This would be great for students to read, it is simple and short with beautiful pictures to go along with each poem.

Grades: 4-6
Lexile: 900
The collection of fairy poems in this book came about from the happy collaboration that had begun to develop between mother and daughter.

These poems were LI Wilder's first publications. The poems themselves are cute, but the main attraction is the incredible illustrations that reminded me of James Christensen's work. My 5yo was giggling the whole time.

The book is tiny, yet delightful, just like the fairies in Wilder's poems. I've always loved Laura Ingalls Wilder for her "Little House" series and for her exciting life on the prairie. These fairy poems make me love her even more!

Notes:
illustrations were too bizarre and distracting
only a handful of poems (six?) spread out over several pages each
maybe I just don't love the subject enough to love this book