I can remember reading about this many years ago, particularly because I was a big Sherlock Holmes fan as I grew up. Arthur Conan Doyle became very interested in the photos of the ‘Cottingley ‘Fairies’ and supported the stories/photos when they were published to a wider audience.

This is the first time I’ve seen the book presented as a story for children. The story is retold from the Frances’ point of view and looks at how children see the world compared to the gloomy, factual world of adults. Some reviewers have mentioned the drawings; the illustrations are drawn in a child-like style to reflect the narrator. If you look closely, there are lots of details to see.

For additional information, there is a page at the end with information about the true story. I like the way it’s presented objectively and without giving a point of view.

The Cottingley Fairies by Ana Sender is an enchanting picture book with whimsical illustrations and a story based on true events. In 1918, cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffith wish that the adults they know could see the fairies who live in the woods near their home in the village of Cottingley (Yorkshire). So, they photograph these mischievous creatures, and the photos cause quite the stir, even coming to the attention of famed author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Though opinion on the authenticity of the photographs was mixed, Doyle championed the photographs across England, sharing them with various media outlets and at different conferences.

It wasn’t until over 60 years later, in 1981, that Elsie and Frances admitted the photographed fairies had all been an elaborate hoax, though Frances always maintained that fairies do indeed exist and that one of the photographs was of the real thing.

Sender’s picture book doesn’t delve into all of these details, but rather grazes the surface of this strange little story, focusing on two girls who love playing with fairies and wish adults could see what they can, so set out to make that happen. The strength of the book lies in the beautiful illustrations and the whimsy they create. For an adult reader, the plot doesn’t really hold up unless you’ve heard the story of Elsie Wright and Frances Griffith before. (I hadn’t, so I appreciated the end page where it tells the story in full.) But for kids, I think they’ll be drawn in by the idea of fairies that adults can’t see, and Elsie and Frances’ enthusiasm for sharing this world with adults who need a little more magic in their lives.

"Elsie and Frances feel sad for adults who simply can’t see the magic in the forests around them. If only they could see what we see.

In 1918, Elsie Wright and her cousin Frances Griffith photographed fairies in their garden, in the small village of Cottingley (Yorkshire). Without expecting it, many people paid attention - including renowned writer and spiritualist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is the story, narrated by Elsie herself, of the true events that led to the Cottingley Fairies becoming a international phenomenon."

I have been obsessed with the Cottingley Fairies for years, so it's no surprise I love this book with it's beautiful illustrations.

*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Maybe this book isn’t really about fairies —though there are fairies in every page. Maybe this beautifully illustrated book is about the things children can see, before adulthood comes knocking and everything looks, to quote the book, “harder and sharper”.

As I read it —or, more accurately, studied its images and few words—, I was immediately transported to my childhood. Like many, I imagine, I remember hearing about the Cottingley Fairies when I was very, very young. My father told me. Though he was a skeptic of all things magical, I still believed in fairies, then; thought I could glimpse them dancing among the leaves in the woods behind my house. Now, as I studied the pictures in this book, I felt six again, playing hide-and-seek with things that don’t exist. There are words for the sensation this little retelling evoked: wonder, and awe, and something like unadulterated delight.

In 1918, as the nations finished their first World War, Elsie Wright and her cousin Frances Griffith took a series of photographs in their garden. In the pictures, the girls claimed, were the fairies. And in the pictures, indeed, there were fairies (if they were real or made of paper, I believe, is up to you). The images, now infamous, were a phenomenon —more so when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle became their biggest fan. Everyone wanted to see them, visit the garden, and find the fairies for themselves. The book tells this story through dozens of illustrations, as recounted years later by Elsie.

"The Cottingley Fairies" is a touching little gem about finding bliss in the darkest time, whether real or imagined, and sharing it with those around us. It is mostly a picture book, though, and I understand this might not be for everyone. The wording is pretty, but it’s scarce. If you’re expecting a long narration, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But, if like me, you still find joy in “reading” a book of pictures, or love illustrations on their own, you’ll enjoy this one.

It will be perfect for parents and guardians who wish to go over the pictures with their children, exploring their details and secrets with them. The illustrations, after all, are gorgeous. There’s a child-like quality to the lines, a wobbliness, that is downright charming. The ever-present blacks, whites and grays make the bursts of blues, oranges and reds stand out, demanding attention. And there are so many fairies, both hiding and parading in plain sight.

I'm not sure about this one. The layout didn't seem right on my Kindle so I struggled to read it. Also, it was more of a picture book than an actual book, which I was surprised about as I wasn't expecting that, and had been led to believe it was more of a reader. So I ended up skimming through most of the book, rather than reading it, as I found there wasn't as much to read as I would have liked. If this is more of a children's book, I'm wondering why. As far as I know, the girls involved were discovered to have made their story up, so I'm doubtful as to whether it would be a good idea to encourage other children with over-active imaginations to do the same. Maybe as a colourful picture book, this would work. On Kindle, it doesn't.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is a nicely illustrated book. Wonderful for children who still believe in magic and fairies. Two young ladies took pictures of fairies and made their town famous. It's beautiful, and I love how history was intertwined with geographical fame.

A story that could be told on five sentences was made into a book (or could be understood by the synopsis). Not sure if this is necessary but the illustrations and drawings were lovely.

Unfortunately I couldn't access the book due to it being in ACSM format as I can't open it on any of my devices. It looks good though & the cover is beautiful so I look forward to getting a chance to review it!

Great plot, engaging story but nekad fairies in a children's book...I don't like that! Glad I prescreen! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

A whimsical book that tells the story of Elise and her cousin Frances Wright and their encounter with fairies in their garden. Surprisingly, the story of their encounter drew a lot of attention including that of a famous author who then wrote about it. Told from Elsie's perspective, the story is based on true life events. I liked the illustrations accompanying the story.

Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Copy...I was split on how to review this. The illustrations are beautiful, might generate interest in the history of the fairies and understand the themes of wanting a private dreamspace to play within the grey adult's world but split on the fact the fairies were fact and debatable on what the girl's motives were and their mentality.

A charming picture book for children explaining how the story of Cottingley Faires unfolded and the passion behind the deceit. Ana Senders' whimsical pencil illustrations gives the book a mystical and ethereal quality. The final page depicting the facts adds to the intrigue and you will want to go on the hunt to find the 5th photo the girls took and see for yourself!!! Are there really Fairies at the bottom of the garden ? A must own for all Fae loving young children.

I’m not sure this book will appeal to any certain audience within a classified age group. The writing is a bit simplistic for the illustrations, and the concepts depicted within the illustrations may take a bit more analysis than the intended age of the targeted reader may be able to achieve.

The illustrations serve as a complement to the age of the narrator, as the story is told through the eyes of Elsie, one of the girls who claims to have seen fairies after WWI. All implications and debate aside, the story does depict a society after a harrowing war in desperate need of something light-hearted and magical. The girls and their claims provide this to them, but at the cost of their own relationship with the fairies.

I would like to have seen some additional details about the fairies and the girls’ interactions with them. I feel, if the book had been only tangentially about the public reaction to the girls’ claims and mainly about the fairies, as the title suggests, the book would be more suitable for a broader audience. Nevertheless, it is illustrated beautifully, and I would not mind at all if my students (and my local library) had this title added to the collection.

This book is a fictional account of the lives of the two cousins, Elsie and Frances, who lived in Cottingley and played with (paper) fairies and took pictures of them.

The Story ...
... is about the girls going through the world with open eyes and seeing the beauty and wonder that is hidden to the eyes of adults. They try taking pictures of the fairies to open this world to their parents. But since it proves difficult to photograph these beings, they resort to taking pictures of crafted paper fairies. The pictures become famous and as many adults come to look for the fairies - which they still cannot see - the fairies go into hiding. Slowly, as the adults leave, the girls manage to regain the trust of the little creatures. In the end, the narrator isn't sure how much of it all was memories or dreams but she suggests that fairies do exist. This is also in accordance with the real life events. The cousins did confess to staging the photos but also claimed that fairies were real after all.

The writing style...
... was very enjoyable and easy for children to follow.

The Illustrations ...
... support the message of the book. The adults look rather colorless whereas the girls and fairies are colorful. The fairies sometimes look like bugs with faces, suggesting that maybe fairies are not real but hinting at the magic in the mundane.

However, I did not really like the story or the drawing style. Something about it felt strange and a bit too dark for my taste. Also, one of the fairies is drawn naked a few times and I do not think this is necessary in a children's book.

This picture book is a cute story about two sisters who made the world believe in fairies. Based on a true story, it gives readers/kids an introduction to the idea that fairies just might be real. Very cute and fun read!

Fairies exist and these girls have proof! Elsie and Frances feel sad for adults who simply can’t see the magic in the forests around them. If only they could see what we see. Taking photos is like opening windows. And that’s just what they did. In 1918, Elsie Wright and her cousin Frances Griffith photographed fairies in their garden in the small village of Cottingley (Yorkshire). Without expecting it many people paid attention including renowned writer and spiritualist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Although initially reluctant, famous author convinced a large part of public opinion. This is the story, narrated by Elise herself, of the true events.

Inspired by real events, this book presents the story of Frances and Elsie, two young girls enamored of nature who one day decide to photograph the fairies living around them. The illustration style is very soft, and intimate and works perfectly to create a universe of poetry and vivid creativity. The writing style is good and displays with elegance the emotions of the two girls. A charming book that I enjoyed reading.

The Cottingley Fairies is a charming picture book based on a true story. In 1918, two girls in Cottingley - a village in Yorkshire - photographed fairies in their garden. The story is told from the girls' perspective, who want to share their magical world with the adults around them. Unexpectedly, people paid attention, most notably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The question was, are the photos real or doctored? Doyle strongly advocated that the photos were genuine. What ever the truth, the curiosity of adults has them swarming the girls' precious world.

I thought this was a delightful story. It reminded me of my own childhood, playing in the woods and imagining stories and magical occurrences. The artwork was absolutely beautiful - the soft, muted colors and wispy lines went along perfectly with the magic of the tale.

The book ends with a message that really stuck with me - just because you're an adult, doesn't mean you have to stop believing in the magic you believed in as a child. This makes the story accessible to both young and old readers.

Overall, this was a luscious and endearing book - I could see myself reading it again, or reading it to a child in the future.

Ana Sender takes on a story about a true scandal from the early 1900s England. Elsie and Frances are two young, sweet girls growing up on the English countryside, where they use their imagination to play in the forest all day with their fairies. They notice how adults are filled with worries about war, and decide to take pictures of their fairies. The pictures are shared, and defended by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, bringing thoughts and serious questions to adults minds; do fairies really exist?

With beautiful, whimsical illustrations, _The Cottingley Fairies_ is part historical fiction, part a reminder of the importance of imagination and play in all humans.

I first fell in love with the cover of The Cottingley Fairies, and after I read in the blurb it was based on true events I was fully intrigued. Proof that fairies really exist, and a reference to the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? It cannot get more intriguing than that. I was looking forward to find out more about Elsie and Frances' story, since this was the first time I had heard about it. In the end I was unfortunately quite underwhelmed by The Cottingley Fairies. The first thing that stood out for me had to do with the illustrations. While I loved the cover illustration, I wasn't so sure about the rest of the picture book in general. They felt a bit simple and almost unfinished to me, and lacked that 'magical' feel that would have worked better with this story. I don't think children are as attracted to the illustrations as it is. That said, I wasn't really convinced by the text either. The story paints the fairies as something that really exists and the 'proof' are photos the girls actually confess to have fabricated themselves. Fairies made out of paper are shown instead of 'real' fairies, and even though in the back the story is explained and it's said that Frances until the day she died stood by her words that fairies are real, it's really hard to believe. Also, I think the story kind of shone a negative light on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I'm sure little children will still find this story entertaining enough, but it's best to treat The Cottingley Fairies as a little fairy tale and not really look for a deeper meaning behind it.