International Book from Australia "Jethro Byrd"

Graham, Bob. (2002). Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

*Note: Book was originally published in Australia.

This storybook is about a young girl named Annabelle and her fascination with a make-believe family of fairies. She discovers the fairies one day through a small opening in her fence. Annabelle strikes a friendship with the family, which consists of a boy named Jethro Byrd, Offin Byrd (the father), Lily Byrd (the mother), Cecily (the baby), and Grandma Byrd. Annabelle decides to ask the fairy family to come and have tea at her house. The family accepts her kind offer and she asks her mother to prepare the tea. Annabelle brings the fairies to meet her parents. Her parents can't actually see the "pretend" fairies, but they play along with Annabelle and say that they can. However, Annabelle realizes that her parents can't see the fairies and asks Lily why. Lily explains that grown-ups aren't able to see fairies, but children can. Annabelle's mother ends up preparing fairy cakes and tea to share with the fairies. The fairies enjoy an afternoon of tea with Annabelle and then say that they have to go to a "Fairy Travelers' Picnic." Annabelle begs to go with them, but they explain that she can't go. Jethro leaves her with a fairy watch so that she will be able to tell fairy time. The watch was big enough to fit on her finger like a ring. She runs proudly to parents to show them her new watch, but of course they play along to amuse her. That night before Annabelle fell asleep wearing her fairy watch, she looked out her window to see a sky filled with fairies.

I would highly recommend this story for young children. This book involves the fun of a child's brilliant imagination! I relate to Annabelle's strong love of pretending and creative imagination because I was also a child that loved playing make-believe games. Other young children would definitely enjoy reading about the fairy family, especially girls. I loved how the author gave small details of the afternoon tea that Annabelle had with them. Graham described the music played by Offin Byrd and his fiddle, Lily's dancing and the wind chime sounds created by her bracelet charms hitting together, the sound of Jethro's silver whistle, and the sweet singing voice of Grandma Byrd. I could easily create these images and sounds in my mind as I read the story.

Bob Graham is a children's author and illustrator in Australia. He has written other children's books such as: Max, Greetings from Sandy Beach, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate. His works have received many awards. Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child actually was recognized in 2002 for Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award and won the Kate Greenaway Medal (2002).