Stink: Fairy vs Boy

Stink: Fairy Vs Boy is a new diary series created and illustrated by Jenny Mclachlan. It is a laugh-out-loud tale of magical mischief which will delight any young reader. Its themes will relate to children and its character will bring entertainment and joy to their reading time.

We are first introduced to Danny Todd, an 11-year-old by who loves drawing cartoons, when he decides to write a diary based upon the peculiar events that happen to him. It all starts on his birthday when his younger sister Sophie gives him an unforgettable gift - a fairy door sticker. So, when the door is opened by a real fairy - S.Tink - Danny is dumbfounded and he doesn't realise just how much is life is going to be turned upside down.

'Stink' is no normal fairy, in fact, she is the 'worst fairy ever', as Danny eventually discovers when things start going wrong. She hides in his hair, rides around on his rats, turns the next-door neighbours foxes all different colours and accidentally shrinks his best friend. Danny desperately wants to send Stink back to fairyland, but she cannot go back straight away because she has been sent to 'humanyland' to do a good deed. Stink must earn 100 golden nuggets by doing a good deed; in return, she will receive new wings and be able to return to fairyland. There is one problem; she is not very good at doing good deeds and Danny does feel like he is going to be stuck with Stink forever.

I really enjoyed reading this book it was full of humour and there are so many relatable things for children to be entertained by. The illustrations bring the diary to life and the quirky comments make the story seem real. This book would be an excellent teaching resource for diary style writing, children would get a good understanding of writer's voice, emotive vocabulary and general humour.

Fans of Diary of the Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates would love reading this book.

240 pages / Reviewed by Hayley Summerfield, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

We all remember those surprise birthday presents when we think that people have bought us things that they wanted! None of us have received a present like Danny Todd was given by his little sister Sophie. Out of an innocent looking fairy door came Stink, the rudest, naughtiest fairy that there has ever been. From the moment Stink attached to Danny's hair, he knew that she was going to be trouble. How will he earn the fairy nuggets to make her go back to Fairyland? What happens when a gnome and a troll join her in Danny's room?

As you read this cleverly written diary you are taken into 11-year-old Danny's world, complete with laugh-out-loud moments and times when you feel like it would be your worst nightmare. Jenny has carefully chosen a dyslexia-friendly font with wide line spaces to make it visually appealing to pupils who often struggle to ead. It will draw children in with the antics of Stink and her friends and will be hooked by the humour.

Once I started reading Stink. Worst. Fairy. Ever. I could not put it down and read it cover to cover. I have already identified pupils who I know will be inspired to read for pleasure thanks to this book. I cannot wait to share it with them. This is a fairy book which is a must-read for all children.

240 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+