Bloom

Description: When the glass kingdom begins cracking, the king and queen fail in their quest to get help from the fairy Bloom, who can work great magic but was banished because of her muddy boots and messiness, so they send Genevieve, an ordinary girl who will do what it takes to save the day.

Brief description: David Small is the Caldecott Award-winning illustrator of So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George. He also received Caldecott Honors for The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo. He's illustrated dozens of other award-winning books, including That Book Woman by Heather Henson and The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, and lives in Michigan with his wife, Sarah Stewart.

Review Quotes: K-Gr 3-Though her outward appearance is chock-full of dirt, the fairy Bloom is delightfully talented. Underappreciated and misunderstood, she retreats into the wilderness. Without Bloom's magical touch, her kingdomfalls into disarray, "held together by duct tape, glue, and peasants." Thoughthe king and then the queen search for answers to fix their kingdom ("I amlooking for a magical creature, gone so many years ago"), they are too haughtyto understand the sprite's message when she places mud at their feet. Aseemingly ordinary girl named Genevieve, whose only job in the kingdom is tocarry the queen's delicate, unbreakable spoon, is next sent in their stead.Though initially puzzled by Bloom's mannerisms, Genevieve learns from the fairyand develops the skills she needs to rebuild her kingdom Bloom's inspiringoutlook ("Tell them there is no such thing as an ordinary girl") paves the wayfor Genevieve to return home. Humor is laced throughout the charming narrative, highlighted through Genevieve's dramatic growth and the expressive ink andwatercolor illustrations. Wavy, thin lines accentuate the ebb and flow ofBloom's magical world. Changing typography emphasizes key ideas and naturalpauses within the story line. VERDICT This engaging, empoweringtale proves the future of happily ever after is in one own's hands, regardlessof how much dirt they may have on them.--School Library Journal *STARRED REVIEW* "January 1, 2016"