The Essential Fairy

This is the backstory to the true incident when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared to the nation that the Tooth Fairy (along with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny) was to be classed as an essential worker during lockdown.

The flowing rhyming text tells the story of six-year-old Ruth writing to Jacinda when the Tooth Fairy did not collect her tooth from beside her bed, which I imagine was possibly a concern of many youngsters during this time. Even the letter from Ruth is written in rhyming text, which is appealing and does not appear forced.

Personally, I found the illustrations a little severe and know that as a child I would have disapproved of the solid outlines and harshness of the images. However, I appreciate that some readers will love the style of these illustrations.

The rhythmical rhyming text is what delighted me most about this book, along with the act of a child being able to advocate change in an adult arena.

Title: The Essential Fairy

Author: Anna Kenna

Illustrator: Tim Hunt

Publisher: CP Books

ISBN: 978 1 99 15600 6

RRP: $20

Format: Paperback

Publication: October 2021

Ages: 5+

Themes: Tooth fairy, lockdown restrictions, children advocating change

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No

Would this book work as a read aloud? Yes

Is there a particular part of the country that it’s set in? No. Children from anywhere in NZ could relate well to the story.

Reviewer: Nadine Molloy, Assistant Librarian, Remarkables Primary School, Queenstown

How are you recommending this book? Recommended

Opening sentence? In the land of the kiwi the borders were shut, planes were all grounded and services cut.

You can buy this book here