Great Encyclopedia of Faeries

Book Description
They are known as the Little People, the Beautiful Maidens, the Godmothers, the Blessed, the Ageless Ones...for it is dangerous to say the name "faeries" without good reason. Ruling over earth, air, fire, and water, they protect forests, animals, and children, and in their hands lie the dreamy souls of all creatures. The faeries rose from the mist long, long ago, in the time of the Golden Age -- well before the creation of gods and men. In their magical fancy they created the singing grasses and the reflection of springs, the music of legends and the far side of the mirror. From the Valkyries of Valhalla to the Babouchka of Russia, Banshees, Dryads, Bogey Beasts, Sirens, and their ilk populate the imaginations and the forests of every culture. In this comprehensive celebration of the world of faery, renowned French elficologist Pierre Dubois describes the extraordinary richness of the faery kingdom, presenting dozens and dozens of lushly illustrated entries on the most powerful and enchanting denizens of this magical world. Dubois provides readers with authoritative information detailing the customs, habitat, and activities of these Little People. Faery Godmothers, we discover, were originally tall, distinguished, and rather severe; only recently have they taken up the magic wands and cheerful smiles we know them for today. We learn that the favorite foods of the Arthurian faery Viviane are the blackberries that surround Merlin's tomb. And among the customs and activities of the Bogey Beast, the prime goal is indeed to scare little children...if only for their protection. Dubois's entrancing descriptions are accompanied by Roland and Claudine Sabatier's marvelous illustrations, which depict the appearance of the faeries, the places where they are found, and their familiar objects. Without revealing any faery confidences (which must never be betrayed), Dubois and the Sabatiers have created a comprehensive and utterly enchanting survey of a magical world as old as time.


About the Author
Pierre Dubois was born in the Ardennes region of France in 1945. In addition to creating a number of major encyclopedic works, he writes film and cartoon scripts and hosts a daily literary feature on French television.


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Meant to instruct those who picture faeries as tiny Tinkerbells with gossamer wings, Dubois's work presents faeries from all over the world, separating them into groups by their elements and habitats. This volume will thrill anyone who is looking for more detail about the background mythology and variety of these fantastic creatures. The entry for each faerie describes its size, appearance, customs, and activities, with an introduction to its mythology. Readers are told that Nixes eat "fish and vegetables," whereas the introduction to the Vouivre reveals that "at night she flies through the air, beating her wings noisily, guided by the luminous carbuncle which serves as an eye." The language used in each entry is lush and poetic. Space is given to explaining the different varieties within each species of faerie, treating each with reverence. Colorful illustrations add to every page. Physical representations, habitats, and icons are presented throughout the book. This book does not offer the ease of access common to an encyclopedia. There is no index, and rather than listing alphabetically, Dubois groups his faeries and celestial beings by their elements, placing Babouchka under "Maidens of Clouds and of Time" and the Banshee under "The Golden Queens of the Middle World." Individual faeries can be found in the table of contents, but not without some effort. This is a book to read and dip into at leisure. It will assist young adults with an interest in folklore and will provide valuable snippets of information for assignments. Illus. Further Reading. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 12 to Adult, 184p, $25. Reviewer: Betsy Fraser


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