Biddy Malone loved to sing and dance, but her voice was "like a rusty gate in a wild west wind" and her "great dundering feet fell over each other" when she danced - and then her temper was "a fine fierce thing." One day she stormed away from her parents and brothers and came upon the faerie, where a beautiful "loveling" with "skin like an acorn and hair as soft as midnight" asked her to name three wishes. Biddy wished to be able to sing and dance, and for a "loving heart." After dancing with the faerie, she returned home, where two months had passed, and her family thought she was dead. But over the next years, Biddy worked to become the best singer and dancer in the country, and to have a kind heart as well. Yet, she cannot make herself say yes to any proposal of marriage, still in love with the faerie boy, and eventually she returns to him in a temper, only to find that he did not grant her wishes, because "Something gained for nothing has no value." Now that she has returned, they can be together, for he loves her too. ( )

Oh! Clever story, with the wishes turned round about. I do have a soft spot for a girl with a fiery temper. ( )

Biddy Malone loved to dance and sing, although her talents in that direction were somewhat limited. She also had a heart full of love, although her temper was rather fierce. When her brothers' teasing sends her storming out of the house one day, and down to the riverside, she discovers a fairy village and finds herself attending a magical dance, where she meets a handsome "loveling." Asked by this handsome acorn-skinned stranger to name her three wishes, she mentions the ability to "sing as sweetly as a thrush, and to "dance as lightly as deer," as well as the ability to control her temper. Although only gone for half an hour by her own reckoning, Biddy discovers that she has been missing for two months when she rejoins her family. She also finds that although her wishes have not been granted outright, her time with the fairies has provided her with the inspiration to work on her goals, eventually going on to become one of the most talented singers and dancers in the country, as well as a kindhearted woman much sought after by multiple suitors. Will Biddy, having worked so hard to make her dreams a reality, find true happiness at last...?

I picked this lovely picture-book from New Zealand children's author Joy Cowley up on pure impulse this past weekend at the library, attracted by its beautiful cover artwork. I'd never heard of it before, but was struck by the subject matter and the illustrations, and decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did! The story was engaging, with a believably imperfect heroine whose good qualities (for all her flaws) will win over the reader. I appreciated the fact that Biddy must work toward making her wishes come true, rather than having them granted by an outside power. As the loveling says, "something gained for nothing has no value." I also appreciated the illustrations, done by Christopher Denise in acrylic and charcoal. The artist's palette is gorgeous - I particularly liked his use of blues and yellows - and his human characters expressive. All in all, this was a sweet little tale, one with a very satisfactory (and romantic) ending. Recommended to young readers who enjoy fairy-tales, and stories of The Little People. ( )