Birdie's Book: The Fairy Godmother Academy    by Jan Bozarth & Andrea Burden Order:  USA  Can Random House, 2009 (2009) Softcover, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Jan Bozarth's Birdie's Book begins The Fairy Godmother Academy series. The story opens on a train as Sarah Cramer Bright (nicknamed 'Birdie') journeys to New Jersey to meet her mom's mom, 'Mo' - for the first time ever! Andrea Burden's black and white illustration help set the scene for what follows. Grandmother and granddaughter soon discover a shared passion for flowers and plants - Mo grows and sells plants and teas from her garden and greenhouse. Birdie meets Mo's Siamese cat Willowby, reads the fairies' Book of Dreams, and hums along to the broken Singing Stone. Mo tells Birdie she's there to heal the Glimmer Tree, find the missing half of the Singing Stone, 'and to help put our family back together.' Soon Birdie befriends Kerka, who introduces her to magical Aventurine. They explore together, and meet Patchouli, Queen of the Willowood Fairies, who helps them dress for adventure. Now Birdie's fairy godmother training has begun - her Arbor Lineage 'has magic that helps the green world the most.' Birdie begins her quest, helped by Kerka, by a special map, and by the Queen's gifts. They ride the Redbird Wind, and face their fears as well as dangerous foes. Though it's very hard, Birdie succeeds with Kerka's help. She returns and finds that the healing she's achieved in Aventurine has its echoes in the real world too, where her mother and grandmother reconcile. Birdie's Book is a sweet chapter book read and a sound beginning to a magical new series, aimed at girls. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews