Ridiculed by all but her closest friends, the wingless Fia is invited by the boy fairy Kip to accompany him to the annual May dance, where her wingless condition causes a stir until a wing-hungry troll crashes the party. Kindergarten-Grade 3?Lovely illustrations, reminiscent of Arthur Rachkam's ethereal style, are weighted down by a pedestrian plot. Fia is the only fairy without wings. Shunned because of her difference, she amuses herself by befriending woodland creatures and creating alternative modes of transport. When she meets a handsome young stranger who invites her to the annual May Dance, fairy-tale fans will quickly guess that he is a prince. Daunted at first by her sisters' petty cruelty, Fia overcomes her fears and attends the dance with the help of Frog, Crow, and Rat. Prince Hyacinth welcomes her, but his parents' objection causes her to leave in disgrace. She redeems herself, however, when she prevents the fairies' loss of their wings at the hands of a troll. The story ends with the promise of a wedding. While young readers may enjoy the appealing illustrations and feel some sympathy for Fia, the lengthy text, predictability of the plot, and shallow characterization all combine to weaken the book's appeal. Wait for a more successful collaboration from this undeniably talented couple.?Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. Ages 4^-8. In Mills' land of fairies, gossamer wings are prized above all, and Fia is the only fairy without them. In spite of that (and despite her habit of playing with "earthy" creatures like frogs and rats), a boy fairy steals a kiss and invites her to the May Dance. Fia's ingenuity and her earthbound friends save the day when a troll captures the fairies at the dance and prepares to cut off their wings. The writing tends to be syrupy, and too often comments are made "haughtily" or "saucily" or with a similar descriptor, but Mills still manages to create a magical fairy atmosphere that will enchant some readers. Delicate, detailed watercolors add greatly to the book's appeal, with Nolan's ugly troll providing an appropriate shiver. This will make a good read-aloud, but because it contains more text than the usual picture book, the reading might be stretched over two or three sessions. Susan Dove Lempke Excellent reading skills will be required here, but the lovely illustrations and fine story of a fairy born without wings and ridiculed by all but her animal friends makes for an engaging plot for kids who can appreciate a complex picture book story and fairy tale format. -- Midwest Book Review