Princess April Morning Glory by Letitia Fairbanks

Letitia Fairbanks, the niece of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford, lived a life guided by artistic passions. In 1939, wanting to commemorate her late uncle, Letitia began work on Princess April Morning-Glory, allowing a creative outlet for combining her lifelong loves: painting, writing, and illustration.

Holding firm to her artistic identify, Letitia gravitated toward portraiture, landscapes, and still-lifes. She was also a biographer, co-authoring Douglas Fairbanks: The Fourth Musketeer, with Ralph Hancock. Her marriage to Hal Smoot in 1966 marked the beginning of a particularly joyful and creative period. Needle points and annual Christmas cards, which featured a painting from the previous year, not to mention her role as a wife, mother, step-mother and grandmother brought her much fulfillment. After a life rich in artistic accomplishment, Letitia passed away in September of 1992.

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Kelley Smoot Garrett was born in Dallas, raised in Manhattan and has lived the life of a West Texas wildcatter as well that of an IT professional. At one time or another in her life she’s called places as diverse as Scourie, Scotland; Austin, Abilene and Midland, Texas; Singapore; Paris; and Auckland, New Zealand — home. She is proud to be the daughter of Sue Ashby and Harold Smoot and the step-daughter of Letitia Fairbanks Smoot. She currently lives with her husband Danny Garrett, three cats, and one happy only-dog, Moxie in the Texas Hill Country.

At long last, Princess April Morning-Glory emerges as a lost treasure from the golden age of Hollywood.

Written and illustrated in 1941 by Letitia Fairbanks, the niece of silent film stars Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford, the seemingly traditional children’s book is transformed into a modern-day fairy tale that will captivate child and adult readers alike.

Letitia was inspired to create portraiture for the characters of Princess April Morning-Glory from film stars of the day. John Barrymore, and Letitia's cousin Douglas Fairbanks Jr., provided glamorous inspiration through their then-current films. The Wicked King's (Barrymore) costume was sparked by his role as Louis XV in Irving Thalberg's 1938 Marie Antoinette, while the hairstyle resembles his eponymous role in Archie Mayo's 1931 Svengali. Prince Chivalry was inspired by her cousin's (Fairbanks) sword-fighting role in David O. Selznick's 1937 The Prisoner of Zenda.

Viewed as unconventional when it first debuted – up until then, no one had thought to meld a Disney-like moral tale with a swashbuckling adventure – the story centers on the prescient acknowledgment that we create our destinies by the choices that we make.

The main narrative is focused around the brave and courageous Princess April who must first transcend darkness and evil before she can realize her true potential. Intrigued by the Great World and its sense of adventure, a young Princess April decides to abandon the familiarity of her home in Fairyland and undertake a voyage into the unknown. Once outside the Enchanted Forest, she finds comfort and friendship in the company of various creatures who ensure her safe passage.

But returning home proves more difficult than at first she realized. In order to go back to Fairyland, a friendly wizard informs Princess April that she must first accomplish three good deeds. Can Princess April resist the temptation of darker forces and summon enough courage to continue doing good deeds? And if she dares to hold true to herself, will it someday lead her back home again?

Letitia Fairbanks' book, Princess April Morning Glory is whimsical, magical and transports you to Fairyland, an enchanted forest.  You'll find fairies (good and wicked), a princess and her faithful creature followers, a prince, a wizard,  and more.  The Princess becomes unsatisfied with her world so she enters into the Great World for an adventure of her life.  Will she be able to handle all that awaits her as she explores the new world outside the enchanted forest boundaries.

Only thing I see about this book that may be somewhat of a hindrance is the font that is used.  Throughout the whole book the font is Old English type, it does make for the mood; however, I found it difficult to read.  I found myself having to really concentrate on the words they didn't flow because of the type set.  Other than that  I loved the book and its story very nicely written. 

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Fairy May by Jo Linsdell

NOTE:  This just in from author today and today only......In honour of International Book Giving Day, Fairy May is available for today only as a free kindle download from Amazon.

Fairy May dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy but she struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong. With hard work and determination she prepares for her test. Will she realise her dream and become a tooth fairy?

Jo Linsdell is back with a new children's book, Fairy May.  This delightful picture book is bound to become the favorite book of anyone who believes in fairies.  The rhyming verse and soft delicate pictures will take you into the fantasy land of Fairy May's; a land you won't want to return from. Linsdell will have your child wondering if Fairy May really makes it to be her dream-tooth fairy.  A fun read-a-loud and wonderful for beginning readers, very easy to read.  This book will help your child see that you can be what you set out to be. 

Visit the tour page here and see what others are saying about this book.
Find out how you can download a free coloring page of Fairy May and a tooth brushing chart here
Visit the author's web site here. 

Jo Linsdell is a best selling author and illustrator, award winning blogger and freelance writer. Originally from the UK, she now lives in Rome, Italy with her husband and their two young sons.

a pdf copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review

The Bouncing Boy by ILIA

Jack was laughed at by many - he was teased and called names. From his birth he was a BIG boy, BIG baby, BIG toddler, BIG boy & BIG teenager. Jack was blamed for all the problems in town. After the death of his parents Jack didn't take care of himself so the towns people banished him to the woods outside of town. He lived a lonely life. One day however, a problem arose in town. Everyone started sprouting flowers in place of hair--even bald heads. Problem was the flowers stunk. Before long the whole town stunk. There was one man that was able to overcome the sad situation. He was as frail and old as the bouncing boy was as big and round. They made for a mighty sight to see. The boy bounced rhythmically up & down as the man hobbled from side to side. They set out to find a way to save the town from the horrible smell. Along the way they had to overcome many obstacles. What a rescue team they were. They were an unlikely duo, but they were racing against time. The remedy was found in plenty in the woods that the boy lived in just outside of town. I'll leave you to read the rest of the story. To find out if they duo was able to save the town.

You may find ILIA here.