How to Spot a Fairy, page 1
Copyright © 2024 by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Interior and cover illustrations copyright © 2024 by Lilla Bölecz
Cover copyright © 2024 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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First Edition: October 2024
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Print book cover and interior design by Sara Puppala
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Glenn Marsh, Sarah, author. | Bölecz, Lilla, illustrator.
Title: How to spot a fairy : a field guide to sprites, sylphs, spriggans, and more / Sarah Glenn Marsh ; illustrated by Lilla Bölecz.
Description: First edition. | Philadelphia : RP Kids, [2024] | Audience: Ages 8-12 | Audience: Grades 4-6
Identifiers: LCCN 2023054414 (print) | LCCN 2023054415 (ebook) | ISBN 9780762486052 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780762486069 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Fairies—Juvenile literature.
Classification: LCC BF1552 .G54 2024 (print) | LCC BF1552 (ebook) | DDC 398.21—dc23/eng/20231228
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023054414
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023054415
ISBNs: 978-0-7624-8605-2 (hardcover), 978-0-7624-8606-9 (ebook)
E3-20240830-JV-NF-ORI
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction: A Brief History of Fairies
HOW TO SPOT A FAIRY
PROTECTION AGAINST FAIRIES
AN HERBARIUM OF FAIRY FLORA
THE (MOSTLY) COMPLETE FAIRY COMPENDIUM HOUSE FAIRIES Boggarts
Brownies
Butter Sprites
Magpies
Sugar Sylphs
Tea Fairies
GARDEN FAIRIES Flower Fairies
Garden Gnomes
Leaf Sprites
Pixies
WANDERING FAIRIES False Fireflies
Goblins
Leprechauns
Patches
Spriggans
Weeping Women
FRESHWATER FAIRIES Bubble Sprites
Rivermen
Shellycoats
Water Horses
Water Nymphs
OCEAN FAIRIES Fisherfolk
Merfolk
Seal Folk
Sirens
MOUNTAIN AND HILL FAIRIES Dwarves
Giants
Jewel Gnomes
Knockers
Trolls
FOREST FAIRIES Dryads
Elves
Moss Folk
Satyrs and Fauns
Wood Sprites
SKY FAIRIES Cloud Chasers
Ice Sprites
Moon Maids
Storm Sylphs
Sun Sylphs
FAIRY FAMILIARS LAND Biting Toadstools
Black Dogs (Cù-Sìth)
Unicorns
WATER Grindylows
Kappas
Sea Serpents
SKY (WINGED) Dragons
Griffins
Phoenixes
Winged Cats (Cat Sì)
MAP OF FAIRYLAND
MAGICAL ACTIVITIES AND QUIZZES MAKE A FAIRY HOUSE
PLANT A FAIRY GARDEN
CREATE A FAIRY WAND
MAKE YOUR OWN FAIRY BATH POTION
BREW YOUR OWN FAIRY TEA
QUIZ: WHICH TYPE OF FAIRY ARE YOU?
QUIZ: FIND YOUR FAIRY FAMILIAR
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Also by Sarah Glenn Marsh
To Dawn, who fills every day with magic
There is more magic in this strange and wondrous world than we can truly understand.
Introduction: A Brief History of Fairies
Fairies, the fae, Little Folk, the Good People, Themselves, the Neighbors, the Other Crowd—by these names and many more, fairies have long been a part of history all over the world and shaped human customs in many cultures, from the Isle of Man, where some still wave and pay their respects when passing a fairy bridge or leave out bowls of fresh milk at their doorstep as an offering to any wandering magical folk, to Scandinavia, where dwarves and elves remain present in songs and legends, to yet farther-flung places where people still occasionally report encounters with things they can’t explain and wonder in the backs of their minds if they’ve just brushed up against a hint of magic. For centuries now, fairies have captured our imaginations by playing a role in the arts, from appearing in classic works like Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream or the tale of Peter Pan to their part in more modern books like Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted. Fairies have inspired a great deal of artwork as well with their beautiful wings, elaborate clothes, and otherworldly looks; you can find them in music, in poems, and even in stories handed down through generations. They live in our minds when we share traditions like leaving a tooth under a pillow for the tooth fairy or making a wish or when we use expressions like “away with the fairies” to describe someone daydreaming.
Fairies invite children and adults alike to wish, hope, and dream. They remind us that the world is bigger and more mysterious than what we see as we go about our everyday routines. They give our minds a chance to play and explore, to ask what if? From the sweet sugarplum fairies of Christmas tradition to more intimidating presences that might favor mischief over granting wishes, fairies have in some way, however small or subtle, touched each of our lives, be it in a book or a song or instructions and tales handed down by a protective grandparent. But fairies are more than just the stuff of our imagination and dreams: they are, in fact, very real. As real as you here, holding this book.
Regardless of which part of the world you live in, fairies are there as nature’s stewards, guardians and caretakers of the wild places that remain outside our homes. They used to be far more numerous, walking among humans boldly and openly, which is why you’ll find many more accounts of encounters with them in times long past than you will of ones closer to today. The arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s to early 1800s with its smoke-belching machines and the increased use of steel and iron—highly toxic to such magical beings—drove many of them back for good to Fairyland—their magical world that sits alongside our own, unseen but never entirely out of reach, as certain doorways in their realm and ours overlap to make crossings possible at times for human and fairy alike. The arrival of electricity also encouraged some to withdraw to their own world, as our ability to create artificial light at any time of day or night is repellent to both sun-seeking and dark-dwelling fairies.
Yet some remain; they’re simply harder to find, having retreated deeper and deeper into more remote, still-wild places where they can frolic and play and tend to the land unnoticed, not subject to human whims or laws. Rarely, however, fairies still make themselves at home in flower and vegetable gardens; still walk the woods and sometimes roam the mountaintops; still enter the occasional home to check on the occupants or help themselves to something from the kitchen; still protect animals, plants, stones, and other natural things.
Fairies’ personalities and goals, like the fairies themselves, are as diverse as those of a room full of humans—meaning none are entirely bad or wicked, just like none are entirely kind and good, but somewhere in-between. Like us, fairies have good days and bad days. Being treated with kindness and respect often encourages them to give you the same courtesy. A ruined lunch or a rainy day might affect their mood and how they treat someone, but one bad day doesn’t mean they always behave that way. (Of course, just like when meeting a human stranger, it’s important to use caution and common sense in any fairy encounter.)
Researchers have identified three major groups of fairies, which you’ll see referred to throughout this guide as their alignment. First, there are the Seelie fairies, ruled over by a benevolent high king and queen and many lesser royals below them. These fairies tend to be the sort who will grant a wish or do a kind turn for someone purely out of the goodness of their heart. They are generally harmless, and their aim is usually to work and play in a gentler fashion. The Seelies’ opposite are the Unseelie fairies, ruled by an empress an
Within the following pages you’ll find plenty of information on the kinds of fairies researchers have already identified, as well as evidence of ones we’re still learning about, from tales of documented encounters to what these beings like to eat. This guide offers advice to help you spot them, figure out what type they are, and even keep yourself safe should you be wary of their magic and their tricks, whether it’s your first time attempting to meet the Other Crowd or you already have several experiences under your belt. You’ll discover some facts about common fairy pets or companion animals, an index of plants and flowers that have some effect on fairies, a map of Fairyland pieced together by those lucky few who have been, and even some crafts and quizzes to help bring you closer to their world.
We hope this book helps bring a little more magic into your life. So grab a coat if it’s cold out and maybe a trusted friend, and let’s go away with the fairies.
HOW TO SPOT A FAIRY
If you should find that you are—like all fairy researchers!—especially interested in seeing one of these magical, otherworldly beings in the wild for yourself, or wish to invite them into your home, garden, or life, here are some helpful tips on noticing what is usually hidden. Just remember, you should never adventure anywhere without an adult’s permission first. Also, not all fairies may want to be bothered or in any way interacted with, so be sure to use our field guide (starting here) and identify which type of fairy you’ve found before deciding whether or not to approach. The charms in our “Protection Against Fairies” section may also prove useful if your encounter doesn’t go as planned.
GO WILD: Fairies often frequent places where there isn’t much—or any—human activity. A hike in a remote part of the forest or up a quiet mountain trail, for instance, and waiting beside a creek where no one is fishing are things that will put you in a good position to notice something out of the ordinary. Be sure to stay especially quiet while you observe your surroundings, as loud music or conversation won’t encourage the fairies to come near.
FAIRY RINGS: Mushroom circles are a sure sign that fairies have recently been present in an area. If you should spot a ring of mushrooms, try standing in the center—asking permission before entering, of course! Walk backward three steps and then look around for anything unusual. Researchers still aren’t sure why this works, unless it is, in itself, some form of fairy magic that tricks our eyes.
ADDER STONES: Also called hag-stones, toad stones, or snake buttons. Finding a stone with a naturally occurring hole in the center and holding it up to your eye to peer through will reveal any hidden fairies in your area—but only through the hole. If you look around without the stone, all will appear ordinary again.
FOUR-LEAF CLOVER: If you’re lucky enough to find one of these elusive clovers, they work in much the same way as an adder stone, though all you have to do is hold the four-leaf clover in your hand as you look around. You’ll be able to spot any fairies in your vicinity whether they wish to be seen or not.
FAIRY GARDENS AND HOUSES: Planting trees, flowers, and herbs that are pleasing to fairies and providing them with some shelter will surely earn you some magical new friends.
OFFERINGS: Many times, all that’s needed to draw fairies to you is a simple offering left out overnight on your doorstep—a bowl of milk or cream will do. With a few rare exceptions, fairies generally prefer sweets over anything with salt in it. Some of their favorite foods that you could also leave out include honey, bread, or other baked goods.
FAIRY KNOTS: Sometimes you might notice subtler signs of a fairy’s presence, like waking up with tiny braids or troublesome knots in your hair that you’re sure you didn’t go to bed with. Fairies love braiding, though they don’t always get it right. They may also do this to your pet’s fur rather than your hair, so keep a close eye out.
MISSING ITEMS: Another subtle sign that fairies are near comes in the form of missing objects. Usually, these are everyday things that you reach for, like your keys or a favorite pair of earrings—the shinier, the better. Many fairies are fascinated by bright human items, though they most often give them back—they just forget where exactly they got them from in the first place. It might make you think you’re losing your mind when a library book vanishes from your backpack only to reappear the next day on top of the refrigerator.
HOLIDAYS: There are certain times of year when more fairies leave the fairy realm to play and wander in ours, and of course, increased numbers of visitors mean more chances to spot them. Beltane (May 1), Midsummer’s Eve (June 23), and Samhain (October 31) are some of the fairies’ favorite days to pay us a visit.
PROTECTION AGAINST FAIRIES
As we discussed earlier, fairies are much like people in that they have good days and bad days, sweet moods and sour ones—but some fairies, like some humans, tend to be a little more unpleasant to encounter at any given time than others. So, whether you’re traveling alone, hear a pack of goblins howling on the wind, or are simply tired of too much fairy mischief in your life, here are some simple tips, charms, and items you can use to guard yourself against any ill effects of their presence.
FOOD: While offerings of certain foods left on a doorstep overnight can please the fairies (see previous section for their favorites), thus keeping them from doing you any harm, it’s also important to know you should almost never accept any food from a fairy (see notable exceptions on specific fairies’ guide pages). It could make you sick, turn you into one of them, or worse, cause you to become lost in the fairy realm with no hope of returning.
GIFTS: Fairies, like leprechauns, will sometimes give gifts like gold or fine jewelry that later turn into ordinary acorns, leaves, and stones, so be careful whom you trust and be wary of accepting any gift without knowing what is expected in return. Fairies often say, “A fair exchange is no robbery,” meaning they don’t give something for nothing!
INSIDE-OUT CLOTHING: Coats or other clothing worn inside out is the best protection from being led astray by fairies, either into the fairy realm itself or simply off the road into a dangerous area by false fireflies, shellycoats, water horses, or any number of other fairies who like to take travelers down unexpected paths for their own amusements. Sometimes, as in the case of spriggans, inside-out clothing will help you pass by a fairy completely unnoticed.
IRON: A human invention, this metal burns fairies, and they find it especially repulsive in any form, be it nails hammered into a fence post or wall, jewelry someone wears, or horseshoes hanging above the entrance to any building.
PLANTS: There are several herbs and flowers that drive fairies away, from sprigs of rowan trees used to swat them to fresh nettles that sting them and deter curious hands from taking your things. See the herbarium of fairy flora in the following section for detailed suggestions, and remember to be careful not to touch any plants that might be toxic. (Always ask an adult if in doubt!)
RED THREAD: Something about this color when worn in the hair of a person (tied into a braid, for example) or woven into the mane or tail of an animal seems to offend the fairies. It will prevent them from stealing livestock or bothering a traveler entirely.
