Disney Fairies is a Walt Disney Company franchise which builds on the popularity of the Disney-licensed character Tinker Bell.
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The Fairies
In the 1906 novella Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, J.M. Barrie wrote, "When the first baby laughed for the first time, his laugh broke into a million pieces, and they all went skipping about. That was the beginning of fairies." [1] For the Disney Fairies backstory, a modified version of this story is used, that the Never Fairies are born when a baby laughs for the first time. The laugh that turns into a Never Fairy is quite rare, as it must take a journey across the ocean to Never Land, and when it arrives, it explodes, turning it into a fairy. The Walt Disney Company categorizes their rendition of fairies by talent. Each fairy has a specific talent or sub-talent that they perform. Talents include: water, light, art, nursing, garden, fast flying, harvest, sewing, washing, music, and animal - along with a wide range of other talents and specified sub-talents. Much like The Disney Princesses, the fairy franchise includes many different characters, each with a distinct personality, so that young girls will be able to relate to the fairies that have similar personas.[2]
Tinker Bell: Tinker Bell, also known as Tink, is characterized as being sassy and brave. She is a problem solver and is considered the best pots-and-pans fairy in Pixie Hollow, as she has a passion for fixing things. (Traditonally, a "tinker" is someone who works with tin.) Tink can be easily impatient and annoyed, yet she is extremely loyal. Tinker Bell carries a finger harp in her pocket so she can play a tune at any moment. She is able to connect easily to the wands in the second book, and is the one who "cures" the wand of its small-heartedness. In the film of Peter Pan, she is called a pixie and not a fairy, but in the original novel Peter and Wendy, Tinker Bell is described as a fairy. Beck: Beck is one of the animal-talent fairies. Her primary job is to care for Mother Dove and ensure that she never has to leave the nest. Beck is characterized as curious and good-hearted, though she can be a bit shy. While Beck loves Pixie Hollow, she is very curious about the great world. Bess: Bess is an art-talent fairy. She is characterized as being messy and quite sensitive to criticism. She is Pixie Hollow's most talented painter, and is responsible for providing a new portrait of Mother Dove every year for the Molt celebration. Bess is considered to be Pixie Hollow's foremost art-talent fairy. Fira: Fira, also known as Moth, is a light-talent fairy. She is characterized as fiery and a natural leader. Fira is responsible for training all the fireflies that light Pixie Hollow. Described as one of the most talented of the light-talent fairies, Fira is said to have a glow that could light the entirety of The Home Tree. Lily: Lily is a garden-talented fairy. She has the most beautiful garden in Pixie Hollow. Lily is characterized as being down-to-earth and practical. She is extremely patient. She is the only fairy who prefers walking to flying. One of Lily's hobbies is to sit and watch grass grow (as grass tends to grow quickly in her presence). Prilla: Prilla is the newest fairy in Pixie Hollow. She is the only fairy that did not know what her talent is when she arrived, though in Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg she found out what it was. Prilla is characterized as a good-humored fairy that always has good intentions. She is also described as being very freckled and "pleasantly plump", which is not an insult, but indicators that she is a bit younger than other fairies. Prilla is the only fairy who does not succomb to 'wand madness' in the eleventh book.
Faerie Mary: Faerie Mary is also known as the teacher of all the Disney Fairies at Fairy School. She flits about like a hummingbird. Faerie Mary is the newest character in Fairy Haven. She is a teacher talent fairy and is pictured as a tiny winged, plump fairy with chestnut curls. Queen Clarion: Also known as Queen Ree, Queen Clarion is the Never fairies’ leader. She oversees all life in Pixie Hollow. Queen Clarion is characterized as wise and dignified. Her ultimate concern is the health and well-being of her subjects. But, when she is overcome with 'wand madness' in the eleventh book [Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand], she loses this and regrets it afterwards. Rani: Rani is a water-talented fairy. She is characterized as a passionate dreamer, who is enthusiastic and impulsive. For the sacrifice of her wings to save Mother Dove, Rani is also the only fairy in Pixie Hollow that can swim. In the second book, Rani must permanently live with a bat version of her self inside of her. Terence: Terence is a dust-talent fairy, who hands out pixie dust to other fairies each day so they may do their magic. Since he is male, he is considered a Sparrow Man. He is characterized as charming, calm and kind. Terence has a bit of a crush on Tinker Bell, which she is unaware of. In the second book, he wishes for her to like him romantically, but he accepts when he must give it up at the end. Vidia: Vidia is a fast flying-talented fairy. She has an insatiable desire to be the fastest flying fairy and will stop at nothing to become faster. She is characterized as being unkind, as she often makes cruel remarks, and impatient when she is kept waiting. Vidia does not live in the Home Tree. While Vidia does not enjoy the company of other fairies, Queen Clarion has also banned her from Mother Dove's presence. Silvermist: She is a water fairy. She is Rani's best friend, who cares for Rani and to mostly everyone. She looks on the positive side of things and acts as an influence between Tink and Iridessa. When Tink or Rani's in trouble, Silvermist always helps. Iridessa: Iridessa is a luminescence talented fairy. She dislikes Tinker Bell because Tink's not studying and she does. However, if Tinkerbell needs help, Iridessa will help Tink.
Rosetta: Rosetta is a flower fairy and a beauty obsessed diva. She is not that selfish, but sometimes she matches those snobbish mermaids. She is Lily's friend who looks out for her. Fawn: Like Beck, Fawn is an animal fairy and is usually seen in browns and oranges. She occasionally wears purple in the fourth book. She is naturally friendly. Fawn is probably one of the most easygoing fairies. She is in the movie Tinker Bell, coming in fall 2008. The Disney Fairies reside in the Home Tree, a towering maple tree, which is located in the heart of Pixie Hollow in Never Land. Our fairies thrive side by side in their own communities
Background
At the opening of the 2005 Bologna International Children's Book Fair, the Walt Disney Company revealed its plan to introduce a children’s illustrated novel for girls 6-10 years of age [1] . After much anticipation, Disney Fairies debuted September, 2005, when Disney Publishing Worldwide unveiled the novel, Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, written by Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine. The book, which is considered the cornerstone of Disney Fairies, launched in 45 countries and 32 languages with an unprecedented one million dollar marketing and publicity campaign. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg quickly became a New York Times bestseller and has already sold over 1 million copies worldwide [2].
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg
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| Author | Gail Carson Levine |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | David Christiana |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fiction, Fantasy, Children's book |
| Publisher | Disney Publishing Worldwide |
| Publication date | 2005 |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7868-3491-9 |
The world of Never Land in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan serves as the inspiration for Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. [3]. The book's illustrations were inspired by the tradition and craft of early twentieth century European children's book illustration [4]. The story begins in Fairy Haven/Pixie Hollow, located in the heart of Never Land. Prilla, who is a brand new fairy, born of a baby's laugh, arrives in Never Land and discovers that she has no talent for any of the fairy avocations. Tinker Bell takes Prilla to see Mother Dove, but before the wise bird can advise Prilla, Never Land is shaken by a terrible hurricane. Mother Dove is thrown off her nest, and the precious egg, which holds all the secrets of Neverland, is shattered. Immediately, all those who live in Never Land begin to age. The island's only hope is for some brave fairies to take the egg pieces to Kyto the dragon and ask him to restore it with his fiery breath. The sequel to this book has a similar title: Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand [5]. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg arrived at U.S. bookstores on September 1, 2005, and became available around the world in 45 countries and 32 languages, Fall 2005. [6]. The book was followed by a sequel, entitled Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand in 2007.
Published Work
Chapter Book Series: Tales of Pixie Hollow
- Published by Random House / Disney [7]
- #1 The Trouble with Tink ~ Kiki Thorpe (January 2006)
Tinker Bell is supposed to be the best there is at fixing pots
and pans, but when she loses her hammer, her talent goes with
it. Tink is desperate to reclaim her skill. The good news is
she has another one. The bad news is she left at Peter Pan's
hide out. She hasn't been there since Wendy came to Neverland.
Last time she was there, Peter broke her heart. Does she have
the courage to face up to her past?
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- #2 Vidia and the Fairy Crown ~ Laura Driscoll (January, 2006)
Vidia can be nasty and selfish, but is she a thief? When she is
falsely accused of stealing Queen Clarion’s crown, she
begins an investigation that leads her on a wild-goose chase to
the far corners of the Home Tree. Will Vidia be able to
clear her name in time?
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- #3 Lily’s Pesky Plant ~ Kirsten Larsen (January, 2006)
Lily has a talent for making things grow. So when she finds a
mysterious seed in the middle of the woods, she plants it. But
the seedling that comes up is not anything Lily expected.
It stinks and it oozes sap. Will Lily have to pull up her poor
pesky plant?
-
- #4 Beck and the Great Berry Battle ~ Laura Driscoll (January, 2006)
As an animal-talent fairy, there’s nothing Beck likes better than
speaking Bird, or Chipmunk. So when a conflict breaks out
between the hummingbirds and the chipmunks, she steps
forward to act as a mediator, but nothing she says seems to
help. Will Beck be able to bring peace to the animals?
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- #5 Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon ~ Lisa Papademetriou (April, 2006)
Rani doesn't fit in. Ever since she had to cut off her wings to save Mother Dove, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with the water talent fairies. In fact, without wings, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with any fairies at all.then she breaks the water talent fairies fountin the vidia tells rani without her wings shes useless. Rani sets off on a perilous journey to find a home, a journey that leads her underwater, deep into the lagoon, where the mermaids live. Maybe there Rani will discover who her true friends are!
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- #6 Fira and the Full Moon ~ Gail Herman (August, 2006)
Fira is a take-charge light-talent fairy, who never asks for
help. So when all the fireflies come down with the firefly flu,
who organizes light for Pixie Hollow? Fira. When three new
light-talent fairies named sparkel,helios and glory arrive on the same day, who volunteers to
look after them? Fira. And when the mining-talent fairies set
off on their monthly expedition into the underground caves, who
lights the way? Fira, of course. But she's exhausted, and
the deeper the miners go, the more her glow flickers and
fades. Fira's full moon may turn out to be her darkest hour!
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- #7 A Masterpiece for Bess ~ Lara Bergen (December, 2006)
Messy, creative Bess is perfectly happy creating her paintings
in her out-of- the-way studio, never worrying about
what the other fairies think. But after she unveils a new
portrait of Tinker Bell, she finds herself in a whirlwind of
attention. Every sparrow man and fairy in Pixie Hollow wants
her to paint his or her picture! With hundreds of fairies to please,
suddenly Bess's talent seems more like a chore than a joy!
-
- #8 Prilla and the Butterfly Lie ~ Kitty Richards (April 2007)
Prilla just can't say no. When Nettle asks her to join in on caterpillar sheering for the second day in a row, Prilla<br tells a little white lie—she likes butterflies more than caterpillars. Then all the butterfly-herding talent fairies come down with a case of fairy pox, and because of her "love of butterflies," Prilla is asked to help out. But butterfly herding is a lot harder than it sounds. Butterflies are down right mischievous, making Prilla's life perfectly miserable.it time for Prilla to 'fess up?
- To be released by Random House / Disney
- Tink, North of Never Land [August, 2007]
Tink and Terence are best friends. But sometimes Terence,
well . . . he gets on Tink's last nerve. So when Terence accidentally
squashes Tink's favorite bowl, her anger flares up and she lets
him have it! But Tink soon realizes she made a mistake.
How can she make it up to Terence? With a bunch of
Never flowers? Or legendary pixie dust? Tink sets off an an
epic quest through Never Land. She's never failed
before . . . and she's not about to start now!
- To be released by Harper Collins
- Beck beyond the Sea (August, 2007)
Beck can't help wondering what lies outside Pixie Hollow. Then
Beck meets a flock of Explorer Birds and has her chance.
With Vidia's special pixie dust, Beck can fly faster
and farther than ever before. She joins the far-flying
Explorer Birds, to see what's beyond the sea. But why
would selfish Vidia help Beck? Is it possible she just
wants Beck to leave Pixie Hollow . . . for good?
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- Dulcie's Taste of Magic (January, 2008)
Poor Dulcie! After the overworked baking fairy nearly ruins
breakfast, Queen Clarion tells her to take a holiday. But
Dulcie’s vacation is no fun at all. Her friends are too
busy to spend time with her. And worse, the bossy new
baking fairy, Ginger, has taken over Dulcie’s job! Then Dulcie
stumbles across an ancient magical recipe in the library. She’s
desperate to try it out. But how can she bake the mysterious Comfort
Cake if she’s not allowed in the kitchen? “These books
are classic Disney with little bits of wisdom wrapped
around entertaining adventures.
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- Rani and the Three Treasures (unknown)
- Tinker Bell Takes Charge (unknown)
- Silvermist and the Ladybug Curse (unknown)
- Rosetta's Daring Day (unknown)
- Queen Clarion's Secret (unknown)
Additional Books
- In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow ~ By Monique Peterson
- Mysterious Messages ~ By Tennant Redbank
- Prilla's Prize ~ By Lisa Papademitriou
Fairies Magazine - Secret Fairy Homes
- A Poem for Tink
- The Disappearing Sun
- The Shell Gift
- "Fairies in Flight" by Posner
Disney Fairies Magazine / Comic
In June 2006, Egmont Magazines launched a new monthly magazine for girls for 5-9 years old, produced by The Walt Disney Company Italia, S.p.A. and published in Italy a couple of months prior to the Egmont translations. The magazine, entitled Fairies, began with an initial print of 110,000 copies and a cover price of £1.99. The magazine's content is centered around Tinker Bell, and her fairy friends from the Pixie Hollow. Each issue features a collectable pull-out story, games, puzzles, posters and colouring pages. [8]. Fairies Magazine has been launched in Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, Russia, Spain, the Nordic countries, Portugal and Benelux[9].
The Expanded Disney Fairies Franchise
In addition to the Published work, The Walt Disney Company provides support for the Disney Fairies across all business units. The campaign includes The Disney Fairies Website, a global online experience, where visitors can explore and discover information about the Disney Fairies. The website allows users to learn about the fairies, create a fairy, visit the Pixie Hollow, and explore related merchandise. Disney Consumer Products have also extended Disney Fairies into the homes and lives of girls around the world with a new line of dolls and role play assortments. The first Disney Fairies Products to officially hit stands were a series of 10-inch dolls, which were a Disney store exclusive in January 2006 [10]. Since then, Playmates Toys Inc teamed up with Disney in October 2005 to design and produce a line of toys for the Disney Fairies, which will include 3.5" small dolls, 8" fashion dolls, playsets & activity sets with DVDs and collectible story cards. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg was the inspiration for the line of toys. [11]. The franchise has been working closely with a series of specialty stores and better department stores that was launched for the 2006 Holiday Season. Disney Consumer Products launched a wide variety of Disney Fairies branded items, consisting of everything from apparel to stationary[12].
Film
Multiple films are currently in development to further extend the storytelling and bring the world of Disney Fairies to life. A computer-animated feature film, Tinker Bell, is reportedly in development by Walt Disney Pictures, and is scheduled to be released on VHS and DVD by Walt Disney Home Video Fall 2008. The movie brings the enchanting world of Disney Fairies to life in CG-animation, and audiences will see the Pixie Hollow for the very first time. While a voice was given to Tinker Bell in TriStar's Hook, this will be the first time that Disney is providing the fairy that has been mute for 50+ years with a voice [13]. The Disney Fairy friends are expected to be voiced by some of Hollywood's most talented actors, including Brittany Murphy who will be the voice of Tinker Bell [14].
Postal stamps
A series of ten postal stamps were issued by Japan Post in 2006. Each stamp has a face value of 80 JPY, and they were distributed in a hardcover case, including some information about the Fairies. The stamps could be ordered at some post offices in Japan, and were delivered by mail to a Japanese postal address.
See also
References
- Bradley, L. (2002). Fairy Diaries Rebecca’s Quest: Rebecca's Quest. Penguin Young Reader Group.
- "Brittany Murphy Gives Tinker Bell Her Voice" Consumer Products: 2006 Press Releases, June 20, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Coleman, S.M.(1939). The Myth of the Fairy Birth. Psychoanalytic Review 26. pp. 301-314.
- "Disney Fairies franchise gets ready to take flight" Jim Hill. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney hopes fairies will fly into girls' hearts" USA TOday.com, August 25, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney Publishing Sprinkles Fairy Dust on New Children's Book" LPWire, April 14, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney Publishing Worldwide Announces Unprecedented Global Initiative: Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" Disney Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, August 26, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Egmont unveils Disney Fairies magazine in UK Media Bulletin, may 31, 2006.Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Factsheet Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Fairies from Never Land Arrive at Disneyland" Disney Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, August 28, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg Amazon.com. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Franchise Overview Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- Franklin, A (2005). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
- Leland, C. G. (2004). Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches. Kessinger Publishing
- Levine, G.C. (2005). Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. New York: Disney Press
- Peterson, M. (2006). In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow. New York: Disney Press
- "Playmates Toys Enters the Fairy World of Disney's Newest Franchise - Disney Fairies" Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, October 27, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Publishing Disney Consumer Products, April 2006. November 11, 2006.
- Disney Fairies: Books Random House: Disney Fairies. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
External links
- Disney Fairies Official website
- Official Disney Fairies Book Web Site
- Official Disney Fairies Online Shop
Footnotes
- ^ J.M.Barrie, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and Peter and Wendy, Oxford Press, 1999, page 32
- ^ Laura Petrecca. "Disney hopes fairies will fly into girls' hearts", USA TODAY, 2005-08-25.
