ReadItDaddy's Second Book of the Week - Week Ending 23rd September 2016 - "The Pressed Fairy Journal of Madeline Cottington" by Brian and Wendy Froud (Abrams Books)

Without a doubt, Brian and Wendy Froud are two of the most accomplished fantasy artists ever. Their work has found its way into amazing movies and glorious books, and our second Book of the Week is sheer brilliance...!
The fictional journal of one Madeline Cottington makes a reassuring claim as soon as you open it and start exploring this amazing fantasy tome. No fairies were harmed in the making of this book, so despite the title "The Pressed Fairy Journal of Madeline Cottington", rest assured that no squishing took place. Fairies merely leave a psychic and spiritual imprint of their cheeky selves if you try to trap them between the pages of your book.

Madeline Cottington first discovered this unique talent when uncovering several dusty old documents and weird old machines in her ancestral home, Cottington Hall.

Her eccentric family also share this amazing ability, and soon Madeline begins her first experiments in fairy pressing.

Written in the style of an awesome steampunk-obsessed teen, Madeline's journal is fabulously tongue in cheek and of course - as you'd expect from the Frouds - beautifully illustrated...

Gorgeous fairy illustrations and awesome steampunk machinery abound in this glorious book!

Using a mixture of Brian's delicate and lovely watercolour fairy illustrations and Wendy's glorious steampunk machinery and costume creations, each page is a dazzling showcase of the couple's fantastic talents (Point of note for Star Wars fanatics, Wendy Froud was the original sculptor for Yoda, don't y'know! What an amazing claim to fame!)

Catching fairies isn't as easy as you think!

Wonderful dream-like stuff, don't miss this as it really is something quite unique and special.

Charlotte's favourite bit: The hilarious (and very cheeky) expressions on the fairy impressions left throughout the journal!

Daddy's favourite bit: Beautiful art, an entirely original idea for a fictional journal, and some really fantastic Steampunk shenanigans. We totally fell in love with Madeline!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Abrams Books)

"The Pressed Fairy Journal of Madeline Cottington"

Written and Illustrated by Brian and Wendy Froud

Published by Abrams Books

Publication Date: 27th September 2016