Wendy Froud

Okay, so technically I cheated a little bit with this one… The book reviewed herein is meant to be paired with a deck of oracle cards, but I spotted the book by itself in a thrift shop and I couldn’t bear to leave it behind, even though it was without its accompanying cards. (Yes, I am aware that my “leave no precious book behind” attitude is a bit of a problem, but go ahead and try to stop me!) Like most guidebooks for oracle or tarot decks by specific creators or artists, this small book takes us through each of Brian Froud’s illustrated oracle cards with words and interpretations provided by his wife and longtime collaborator, Wendy Froud. Each wise and tricksy faerie is given their due with a full page spread that shows a purpled sepia-toned version of their portrait (rather than the full-colour of the cards themselves) and explores their unique nature and advice to the card reader. As much as I would have obviously liked full colour miniatures of the faeries, the muted tones of the book (pale brown page backgrounds with a rich brown serif font) actually work quite well in providing a grounded setting in which to explore the mysteries of the Heart of Faerie. Scattered throughout are a handful of mischievous fey who don’t grace the cards, giving readers a few surprises along their journey - which maybe even provide some extra oracular words if we’re using the book to tell fortunes as well! After we’ve met all of the entire Heart of Faerie court (and they do seem to be a motley court at that!) we stumble back to reality with a personable interview with our guides, the Frouds, and a custom spread of cards that pairs perfectly with the deck to reveal the heart of any readers’ query and one which imbues themes of faerie wishes. I fully enjoyed my journey through this unique oracle deck, but I think that using it might be a bit more complicated than those that I am used to. The fey court, after all, has many opinions, and many of the cards have complex meanings that seem diametrically opposed to human nature. That may be the crux that makes this deck powerful for those who partake, but like all faerie wisdom we would do well to double check for truth-telling and hidden meanings!… (more)

Sneezle is a tree root faerie living in the Old Oak Wood, but through a series of events he soon finds himself facing a fearful giant, a human girl named Rowan. Far from his safe home of the wood, Sneelze finds he is trapped in Spring Cottage, a human dwelling, with no way to return home to his wood.

Sneezle soon finds out that Spring Cottage is full of faeries, but unlike any Sneezle has ever meet before, usual knights serving a King and Queen, brownies turning into boggarts, rats with swords, and dolls come to life. Sneezle's only chance of returning home will depend on courage, new friendships and a story or two.

The Faeries Of Spring Cottage are a strange and dangerous group who have lost their way and allowed their fear to change them, transforming them into angry and mean faeries. But not all the faeries have lost their way and with Sneezle's help they will find peace once again. A story that will delight both young and old and will remind us that it's never too late to believe in faeries.… (more)

One of the most important things a troll possesses is his, or her, tail. It is where they store their tales, the stories that tell of the nature of things, their world, their history, themselves. It is in the remembering, the telling and the sharing of these tales that trolls are able to pass on the knowledge and wisdom that has been learnt over the long, long years. But not all trolls are born to carry these tails, some are hunters, some are fighters, some live under bridges and others on very rare occasions have been known to eat small children.

Trolls leads us into a world where few humans have been before. The Otherworld is a place where every stone, every bone, every feather and every twig tells a story. Trolls are everywhere if you would only open your eyes to see. Although not all trolls are wise or intelligent, all are ancient beings of nature and time, majestic and complex, they are diverse as they are elusive. This beautiful and breathtaking tail reveals soulful and delicate beings who are greatly misunderstood. A stunning and skilfully illustrated guide into the land of Trolls.… (more)