The only lonely fairy

Making friends in the early grades, even getting someone to play with you for a little while, can be a thorny business, especially after the pandemic interrupted so much vital socialization development for so many children. Button, an early childhood educator, shows the problem--and solution--in this book that can be read as a springboard for discussion. Leah is in school, wearing wings, asking kids if they want to play fairies with her. What she doesn't notice is, first, that the kids are in the middle of another game, and second, there's another girl, Allie, who looks eager to play with her. Leah goes into full self-pity mode: "Look at me--the only lonely fairy in line." The cheerful digital illustrations play up the ironic humor beautifully by letting readers in on the joke that Leah is missing all the social cues around her. A nice resolution comes with Allie picking up Leah's discarded wings and saying yes to her invitation. An author's note gives tips on how adults can help kids make friends.

Friendship isn't always easy, even for fairies, but Leah and Allie figure it out. After Leah fails to find friends who want to play fairies with her, she falls to the floor in protest and laments being the "only lonely fairy." When she casts off her green fairy wings, Allie, who has been watching from afar, returns them. In no time at all, Allie has happily tried the wings on, and the two children are working together to create a set of pink wings for Allie. Now, they're the two happiest fairies in the land, but they're also perceptive enough to notice another child looking longingly at their wings. The final illustration shows the happiest three fairies in the land, each wearing fairy wings. Bright artwork, dominated by pastels, shows a diverse classroom. Leah and her friends are generally presented against a plain white background, making this a good read-aloud choice. Clearly capturing the children's emotions, the illustrations can help start conversations about whether Leah's actions are helping or hurting her chances of making a new friend and about what Allie is feeling as she watches. An author's note encourages parents and guardians to help kids practice social-emotional skills as they learn to approach and ask friends to play. Leah has light tan skin, while Allie and the third, unnamed friend present Asian. A simple story that will sprinkle fairy dust on budding preschool friendships. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.