The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and sixty-eight

When I was growing up I was sure that I would choose a job and that I would then do that job for the rest of my life. That was what most of the people I knew did. Nowadays it is hard to find anyone who stays in one job of work long. People change their minds about what they want to do, businesses go under and employees have to adapt to the market.

In today's picture book you will meet a fairy who encounters technical problems with her wand, and as a result she has to consider changing her job. The story is funny, and it will resonate with anyone who has had to make a drastic life change.

Gone with the wand

Margie Palatini

Illustrated by Brian Ajhar

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Scholastic, 2009, 978-0-439-72768-6

One day Bernice Sparklestein, “once the best Fairy Godmother in the entire universe and beyond,” is having tea with her friend Edith. B. Cuspid - Tooth Fairy Second Class - when she tells Edith that she is in trouble. She has lost her ability to cast successful spells. There is no doubt about it either. Bernice is having a “bad wand day.” Edith is determined to do what she can to help her friend, and the two fairies go to Edith’s house because Edith has a large collection of fairy outfits. Maybe they can find something that will suit Bernice.

   Bernice tries on a Fairy Dusting outfit, but it soon becomes clear that she is allergic to fairy dust. She likes the look of the Snow Fairy costume but she finds the work too cold. The Sugarplum outfit doesn’t work either and poor Bernice is feeling very upset. “What does a Fairy Godmother do when her wand is really gone?”

   Children are sure to love this extremely funny story about a Fairy Godmother who needs a new line of work. With comical illustrations and delightful characters, this is a story even non-fairy fans will find enjoyable.