Carol's Notebook

The Problem Child by Michael Buckley Suggested reading level: Ages 9-12 Amber (10) and I read this one together. It's the third in the Sisters Grimm series, about Sabrina and Daphne Grimm and the grandmother, Relda. They are fairy tale detectives who solve mysteries in and around Ferryport Landing, a town where a lot of Everafters, fairy tale folk, live. In this one, the bad guy is a psychotic Little Red Riding Hood who has a  pet Jabberwocky. Unfortunately the Jabberwocky takes Puck, Amber's favorite character, out of commission for most of the book. The girls also meet Uncle Jake, who no one in town aside from Granny Relda seems to remember. Sabrina is drawn to him and his unabashed use of magic. Sadly, he's addicted to the magic he uses and believes it's the answer to every difficulty. "You wouldn't believe the power! It's like a waterfall, like the sun. I'm bigger than life, bigger than even the most powerful Everafter. I'm the kind...

Mr. Skelmersdale in Fairyland by H. G. Wells I tend to associate H. G. Wells with science fiction, so I was surprised to come across this short story, which was first published in 1903. It's a fairy tale for adults, more or less. The narrator of the story hears about a shopkeeper, Mr. Skelmersdale, who everyone seems to believe has actually been to fairyland. Eventually, the narrator gains Skelmersdale's trust and hears the story. After an argument with his girl, Skelmersdale wandered out to Aldington Knoll and fell asleep. When he awoke he was somewhere entirely different and elves escorted him to fairyland. There he met the beautiful, enchanting Fairy Lady, who becomes his companion. A time came, indeed, when she sat on a bank beside him, in a quiet, secluded place "all smelling of vi'lets," and talked to him of love. Eventually he has to leave fairyland and has nothing to show for his time spent there. He wants to return desperately, but can't. Often,...