I must admit, when my niece first recommended The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, I was a little skeptical.  It sounded a little too perky and chipper.  I like fairylands, and I like exploration, but I thought it sounded almost childish – Fairyland is such a secure place that even a little girl can travel around it safely.  And of course she’s such a smart little girl, she can build her own ship, too.

No.  Uh uh.  Try again.

Do you like The Phantom Tollbooth?  This story has a slightly Phantom Tollbooth feel to it, even as it’s completely different.  Maybe more like The Phantom Tollbooth meets The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland before heading to the Liebrary.

In short, Circumnavigating Fairyland was more complicated than I expected.  The author has a fun (but quirky) narrative style, the plot is interesting (if sometimes confusing), and the characters are Somewhat Heartless (but not, speaking of Oz, in the fashion of the Tin Woodman).  If you like Fairyland Adventures, this may be the book for you.

I’m sorry I doubted you, Niece.