dragons in the flower bed Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 My children have been reading Dave Barry's series of prequels to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. They're eager to spend as much time in this fantasy world as possible. I had been avoiding the Disney Pixie Hollow books because they seem so very much like they exist only to sell merchandise, but, seeing as how Peter and the Starcatchers is just as much a licensed Disney product as Pixie Hollow, and we've already gone there, I'm looking again at the fairy books. Are they consistent with each other? Are they awful? Do your children like them? Do your children who otherwise do fine and reading stuff like Louisa May Alcott and Frances Hodgson Burnett like them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 No idea about the Pixie Hollow books. I will say, though, that the audio versions of Dave Barry's PP prequels are marvelous. They are very well done. I hope your kids are able to enjoy them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 The Pixie Hollow books aren't going to win any major awards and aren't "brain food" by any stretch of the imagination - but my girls really enjoyed the series. The illustrations alone make it worth reading the books! :) There always seems to be a moral/lesson learned in the stories. hths!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Are these the books that introduce you to the fairies? When they are born they know their 'gift', etc.? My dd 10 has read two of these, but I do not know if they are the same. They were cute, nothing wonderful, but a nice read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I've seen Peter and the Starcatchers many times at the bookstore but I had NO idea Dave Barry was one of the authors. I think we've found a new read aloud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca in GA Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 We like the prequels -- doesn't hurt that Ridley Pearson is co-author, so all is not sweetness and light and humor. We finished "Starcatchers" and are about halfway through "Shadow Thieves." We take turns reading chapters out loud as a family and have found it great fun to speak in different voices for Tubby Ted, Black Stache, Lord Ombre, Slank, etc. Don't know about the Pixie Hollow books. They look cute, but DD isn't really interested. I think she's kind of outgrown pixies and princesses. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaid Dad Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 The Pixie Hollow books are pretty fluffy, but they usually have some sort of positive message: "be kind," "have courage," "honesty is the best policy," "know your limits" that sort of thing. They are not great literature by any means, but they're better written than I had expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamasteff Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I am going to go back to your original message - I think you have hit the nail on the head. The Barry/Pearson books may well be licensed by Disney, but I have not seen Peter and the Starcatchers beach towels, toothbrush holders, pajama sets, action figures, etc. I have however seen all that and more for the fairies. I have a "thing" about marketing directly to children. It bothers me. (I will agree with other opinions about the writing as well - the Barry/Pearson books are AWESOME - funny- sometimes disturbing or frightening, but imo that is one thing that helps the story along. Pirates aren't nice! The pixie books are meh. Not any worse than the A-Z Mysteries or Magic Tree House.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen sn Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 My children have been reading Dave Barry's series of prequels to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. They're eager to spend as much time in this fantasy world as possible. I had been avoiding the Disney Pixie Hollow books because they seem so very much like they exist only to sell merchandise, but, seeing as how Peter and the Starcatchers is just as much a licensed Disney product as Pixie Hollow, and we've already gone there, I'm looking again at the fairy books. Are they consistent with each other? Are they awful? Do your children like them? Do your children who otherwise do fine and reading stuff like Louisa May Alcott and Frances Hodgson Burnett like them? Don't know much about Peter Pan, but dd really loves the Pixie Hollow faerie books. My mom got her started and since it was something she actually wanted to read, I didn't care about the fluff or no fluff aspect. I just like that she wants to read. I have probably sacrificed morals for reading progress, but that's where we were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I"m reading Shadow Thieves right now - i am LOVING these books! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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