When it comes to children's literature, far too much of it emphasizes the sassy nature of children, both boys and girls. Being naughty is seen as funny, and using unsuitable language is common rather than the exception. We expose them to violence—not the kind found in old fairytales—and even sex. Their young minds are overloaded with images that they cannot really digest, and which do nothing to help them have a healthy imagination. It is not that I am against technology, object to i-pods, or video games, but we push these onto children at far too early an age.

Along comes a rather delightful set of books known as The Illustrated Fairy Gazette with some of the most imaginative illustrations and text written for the young that I have come across in quite some time. These two books hark back to a more innocent time, the kind of time children should have. They remind me of drawings my father started for a book he never had the time to finish. It featured hedgehogs, toadstool and other mushroom houses, fairies elfs as well as ladybugs and other insects. What has become of these watercolor drawings I don't know. But, here, in the two Fairy Gazettes, they reappear in a different form and bring back memories to cherish.

The idea for the Fairy Gazette originates with Avril Tyrrell, who talked her artist daughter Frances into illustrating them. Both Tyrells, who make their home in Oakville, ON, are already known to readers of Lancette Arts Journal through my review of The Woodland Nutcracker, and Frances' unique and highly successful, fully illustrated version of the Huron Carol.

One of the Fairy Gazettes has the subtitle of Bon Voyage and is a guide to enchanted holidays in the realm of the fairies. The other's subtitle is Festivals & Fairs, which is a guide to the four seasons of fairy festivities. Both books contain, among others, regular columns on fairy manners and etiquette that are not amiss among human children.

There are also some good ideas for crafts in each book, how to make a picnic interesting, new ideas for sand castle building, and hints on how to please moms and godmothers on Mother's Day. As in any gazette, there are ads placed there by fairy folk, which gives the publications that air of the real thing.

At the end of each book is an envelope containing a cutout fairy with cutout fashions. "Eeh gads." They ask little girls or boys to actually use their hands to put the clothes on these cutout fairies. "No batteries!" I can just hear the cry of one young child in our family circle who screamed just that when he received a toy that needed his hands to operate.

While the illustrations are easy to comprehend for little ones, it is best when an adult helps to read some of the text, and maybe explain what the two Tyrells have conjured up on behalf of the fairy world in these two books. There is no suggestion as to the age at which they are directed, but my guess is five and up, by up I mean up to 90. Adults will love these books if they are able to put aside their inhibitions and return to their own childhood imagination.