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.

The first installment in a chapter-book series chronicling the adventures of Tinker Bell's younger sisters. While Tinker Bell is off in Never Land with Peter Pan, her younger sisters enjoy their own fairy lives on Sheepskerry Island. Sylva, Tinker Bell's second-youngest sister (youngest being baby Squeak), is looking forward to her birthday, as once she is 8 fairy years old she will be allowed to attend the Fairy Ball. She's crushed when the fairy queen, Mab, schedules the ball for the day before her birthday. Poor Sylva tries to come to terms with having to stay home with baby Squeak while her other sisters go to the ball, but her efforts to help her sisters prepare go awry. Finally, the night of the ball comes, and through the window, Sylva witnesses a large band of trolls heading straight for Queen Mab's palace and the ball. Sylva must (after securing her also-too-young-for-the-ball friend to watch Squeak) make the difficult decision to break the age rule and save the fairies from the trolls, who seek to steal the fairy magic. The narration is sweet and gentle--verging on too sweet--but Sylva's proactive personality makes her an engaging character for readers to follow. Good intentions and heroism wrapped in a dainty package for girls who can't get enough fairies. (glossary of baby Squeak's language, cake recipe, music) (Fantasy. 6-9)

Seven fairy years old, Sylva Bell looks forward to her birthday. Unfortunately, it falls just after the Fairy Ball, which is open to fairies eight and older. Though disappointed, Sylva tries to make her sisters' beautiful gowns even more exquisite and ends up making a mess. Now disappointed and disgraced, Sylva stays home while her sisters go to Queen Mab's ball. But when she realizes that trolls are about to attack the palace, Sylva bravely flies forth to save the day. While the story is told in third person, McNamara occasionally addresses readers directly. For instance, in the beginning she advises those seeking a story about "perfect little fairies" to choose another book, but continues, "If you would like to hear about a brave little fairy who can also be rather naughty and get in very big trouble with her sisters, just turn the page." Readers who find that synopsis inviting will be pleased with what they find in this illustrated chapter book, the first in a series about Tinker Bell's younger sisters.