ALA Booklist

The second volume in the Fairy Bell Sisters series focuses on another of Tinker Bell's little sisters, Rosy. Though all the fairies know to avoid contact with the "summer people" who vacation on Sheepskerry Island, Rosy befriends Louisa, a lonely girl who is recovering from a foot injury. The other fairies still fear the "summer children," but they come to help when Rosy risks her life to save her friend. This short, illustrated chapter book should be just right for fairy fans who enjoy a bit of adventure as well as a cozy setting. An appealing craft section on making fairy houses is appended.

Horn Book (Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

Five lesser-known sisters of the famous Tinkerbell are given their own adventures in this charming series. The first two volumes introduce Sylva and Rosy as they battle trolls and brave the company of children vacationing on their island home. Denos's spot art and occasional full-page illustrations provide visual interest and help break up the short chapters, which are perfect for emerging independent readers.

Kirkus Reviews (Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

Fairy Rosy Bell strikes up a forbidden friendship with a human child. In August, the Summer People--human vacationers--arrive at their vacation cottages on Sheepskerry Island. They bring loud noises, trample fairy gardens and are dangerous; when humans discover fairies, they chase them off and leave them homeless. Rosy intends to follow the rules and avoid the Summer People, but then she overhears an injured little girl's parents hoping the island's magic will cheer up their daughter. Overwhelmed by compassion, Rosy sneaks into Lulu's room to tidy up, accidentally wakes up Lulu and is spotted. The two strike up a hidden friendship, meeting and passing notes in secret. Lulu is a Peter Pan fan who loves hearing about Rosy's big sister Tinker Bell, and in return, she shares her grandmother's stories about visiting the island back when fairies played with Summer Children. But Lulu, not content to be a secret, wants to meet the rest of the Fairy Bell sisters. When a big storm rolls in, Rosy must confess her friendship and enlist the other fairies to help her rescue Lulu, who is on the beach and has lost a crutch. In return, Lulu has the Summer Children help rebuild the fairy homes destroyed by the storm. The story's sweetness is tempered by the friendship's secrecy. Not the subtlest book, but girls who love fairies won't care. (how to make a fairy house, glossary of baby Squeak's language) (Fantasy. 6-8)

School Library Journal (Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

MCNAMARA, Margaret . Sylva and the Fairy Ball . Bk 1. ISBN 9780062228024 ; ISBN 9780062228017 . LC 2012024990. ea vol: illus. by Julia Denos. 128p. (The Fairy Bell Sisters Series). score. HarperCollins / Balzer &; Bray . 2013. Tr $15.99; pap. $4.99. Gr 1-3 Tinker Bell's younger sisters star in this series by a seasoned author. In Fairy Ball, the sisters are making a practice cake for Sylva's eighth birthday the following week, when an invitation for a special fairy ball arrives. Only those eight years or older can attend. Since Sylva can't go, she tries to make her sisters' gowns even more beautiful (to their dismay). When trolls arrive in town in hopes of attaining the Narwhal's Tusk, the young fairy is the only one who takes notice. The siblings' adventures continue in Secret Friend , in which the dangerous Summer People make their appearance. Instead of avoiding them as usual, Rosy befriends a girl named Louisa. A bit on the saccharine side, these titles will appeal to tenderhearted girls who dream of magical places. The books do include some conflict among the sisters, but it is resolved quickly and feels typical of any sibling relationships. Denos's black-and-white illustrations capture sweet moments. Large type and good amounts of white space make these titles appropriate for beginning chapter-book readers. Additional purchases, particularly where fairies are still popular. Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN