First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts

Quick Look

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A skilful blend of fable and fiction as Helen embarks on an exciting race through Scotland’s diverse landscapes, accompanied by an array of creatures from mythology and folklore.

Description

Helen has absolutely no interest in becoming a vet like her mother. So she isn't best pleased when asked to help an injured horse. Only this horse isn't entirely normal . . . and nor are his friends.

Without warning, Helen is thrust into an extraordinary world full of magical rituals, fantastical creatures and a dangerous, powerful beast known as the Master, who would destroy it all. Everything hinges on finding the lost Book of Wisdom before the Winter Solstice. Can Helen work out the riddles and help her new friends to make amends for a foolish prank?

This is a wonderful mixture of fable and fiction, woven together into an exciting race through Scotland's diverse landscapes, accompanied by an array of creatures from mythology and folklore.

Winner of the Royal Mail Award for Younger Readers (8-11).

Reviews

'This is an exciting story with lots of things happening... It's as good as Harry Potter!'
-- Jessica, age 7, Lovereading4kids Reader Reviews

'A great fantasy story full of mythical creatures and legends ... I can't wait to read the other three books ... my Mum read it too and loved it.'
-- Tomasz, age 9, Lovereading4kids Reader Reviews

'[A] Wonderful story for children, a gripping fairytale that will keep you reading past your bedtime.'
-- Cait, age 8, Lovereading4kids Reader Reviews

'A good adventure book full of mystical animals, it is well written amd has a good plot. I would rate this book 8/10.'
-- Abraham, age 11, Lovereading4kids Reader Reviews

'The adventure takes place in Scotland, very close to where I live, and it has made it feel very magical to me. I've even been looking out for flying dragons!... I'm dying to read more of Helen's adventures in the rest of the series. Brilliant!'
-- Sam, age 10, Lovereading4kids Reader

'I really enjoyed 'First Aid for Fairies' and I would give it a 5/5 score.'
-- Elspeth, age 10, Lovereading4kids Reader

''First Aid for Fairies' is exciting and you want to
keep reading it to find out the next adventure... It is the longest book I have ever read! And I liked it a lot!'
-- Declan, age 7, Lovereading4kids Reader

'When I started reading this book, I couldn't wait to read it all, and I am really looking forward to the next books in the series. I would definitely recommend this book to children who like to read adventure stories.'
-- Cora, age 8, Lovereading4kids Reader

'Lari Don, a Leith-based professional storyteller, took the younger reader award with a tale of her own... It beat Eleventh Orphan from Joan Lingard who is regarded as the dowager queen of children's books in Scotland.'
--Anne Johnstone, The Herald

'This is an enjoyable fast-paced yarn ... The diverse characters and exciting storyline will enthrall readers who like animals and magic.'
-- BookFest 2008 Recommended Reading Guide

'Strong characterisation, wry humour and Helen's robustly practical attitude to the fabled creatures she encounters add up to a refreshingly different quest tale.'
-- The Scotsman, Spring Books Review

'Lari Don is the next big thing in the world of children's books.'
-- The Five Thirty Show, STV

'A good, old-fashioned fantasy adventure story.'
-- I Know Good Books blog

'This is a wonderful fantasy story that will be enjoyed by both children and adults.'
-- myshelf.com

'Even though this book is intended for a younger audience, the pace, writing, and content do not in any way diminish the entertainment that an older reader can get from this story!'
-- NetGalley, May 2012

'This book was fantastic. A wonderful fantasy story with lots of unexpected twists and turns, and fairy laws making things overcomplicated. I would recommend this to anyone in their early teens who likes a good fantasy.'
-- Eleanor Williams, from Boroughmuir High School, writing for Teen Titles magazine

'It is a world where anything can happen - where centaurs roam, dragons fly and evil enemies must be defeated.'
-- Linda Summerhayes, The Edinburgh Evening News

'I'm not quite sure what age group this is aimed at (probably young teenagers), but take my word for it, grandmothers will love it too! ... Sometimes comic, sometimes sad, but always full of excitement.'
-- Stewart Peterson, The Greenock Telegraph

'This fantasy adventure story moves along at a fast pace and the introduction of traditional folklore into a modern setting works well... This book should appeal to those 8+ fans of fairy and animal stories who are ready to move on from series reading to something more substantial.'
-- Sue Roe, The School Librarian

'I really enjoyed the book overall ... I liked the sense of adventure and I love how the author wove scottish folklore into the story and made it accessible for younger readers/listeners ... this was a well written book that I would recommend parents to buy.'
-- Turning the Pages blog

'Consumers of good vs evil quest-style fairy tale and fantasy will find the unexpected on every page, and love this book regardless of age.'
-- Novelspot

'The story is both an interesting and informative one ... Young readers will be absorbed in the adventure, and they may just learn a thing or two about real friendship.'
-- Indie Reader Houston blog

Author

Lari Don has worked in politics and broadcasting, but is now a full-time writer and storyteller. She grew up in the north-east of Scotland, and lives in Edinburgh. She is the author of three other books in the First Aid for Fairies series: Wolf Notes and Other Musical Mishaps; Storm Singing and Other Tangled Tasks; and Maze Running and Other Magicial Missions for older children, as well as Rocking Horse War. She has also written four picture books for children, The Big Bottom Hunt; How to Make a Heron Happy, Orange Juice Peas and The Magic Word.

You can also visit the author's own website at http://www.laridon.co.uk

Media

Check out the Book Trailer for Maze Running and Other Magicial Missions -- the fourth, and final, book in the First Aid for Fairies series.



Lari was interviewed by two primary school children for their school radio station:
https://www.makewav.es/story/435112/title/laridoninterview

Download or print a free Teacher's Guide for this book:
First Aid for Fairies Teacher's Guide

Don't miss the Discover Kelpies website for children with exclusive author interviews, fun stuff and latest gossip on your favourite Scottish stories.