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, healing, teaching, ruler, baking, knowing - when- a- dish - is - done, stove to plate transfer, luminescence, pots and pans, kettle, nursing,story, flower, elder, swimming, wingless, pixiegirls, garden, fast flying, harvest, sewing, washing, music, animal, and mainland clapping - along with a wide range of other 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. (Traditionally, 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 and uses "pixie dust to give others the ability to fly", but in the original novel Peter and Wendy, Tinker Bell is described as a fairy and she uses "fairy dust". When Tinker Bell uses her wand, pixie dust is sprinkled all over too. Tinker Bell has a new look in this series, and has spoken dialogue. Disney would also use Tinkerbell in the opening of the Disney anthology series as well.
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-she is the only fairy who is able to visit the human world. 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, "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand".
Fairy Mary: Fairy Mary is also known as the teacher of all the Disney Fairies at Fairy School. She flits about like a hummingbird. Fairy 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. Prilla seems to be the only fairy who cares about her and considers her a friend, because in "Vidia and the Fairy Crown" she was the only one who believed that Vidia had not stolen the Queen's crown.
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 light talented fairy. She dislikes Tinker Bell because Tink's not
studying and she does. However, if Tinkerbell needs help, Iridessa will help Tink. She's the first black Fairy ever characterized [except Lily] with a name.
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. She sings and tells bedtime stories to her potted plant flowers.
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.
Dulcie: Everyone loves Dulcie's cooking. As a baking-talent fairy, the only thing Dulcie loves more than making delicious treats is watching other fairies eat them!
Iris: A garden-talent fairy, iris would rather learn about plants than tend her own garden. She's a bit of a know-it-all, but she's usually right!
Pluck: A harvest-talent fairy, Pluck loves to find and collect delicious fruits and nuts. The harder to find, the better!
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 [2]
. 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 [3]
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. [4]. The book's illustrations were inspired by the tradition and craft of early twentieth century European children's book illustration [5].
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 [6].
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. [7].
The book was followed by a sequel, entitled Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand in 2007.
Fairies in print
Chapter Book Series: Tales of Pixie Hollow
So far, Random House has published nine titles in the line.[3]
The Trouble with Tink, Kiki Thorpe (January 2006)
Vidia and the Fairy Crown, Laura Driscoll (January 2006)
Lily's Pesky Plant, Kirsten Larsen (January 2006)
Beck and the Great Berry Battle, Laura Driscoll (January 2006)
Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon, Lisa Papademetriou (April 2006)
Fira and the Full Moon, Gail Herman (August 2006)
A Masterpiece for Bess, Lara Bergen (December 2006)
Prilla and the Butterfly Lie, Kitty Richards (April 2007)
Tink, North of Never Land, Kiki Thorpe (August 2007)
Tinker Bell Takes Charge
Released September 4, 2006 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007214030 / ISBN 978-0007214037.
Beck Beyond the Sea
Written by Kimberly Morris and Denise Shimabukuro. Released September 4, 2006 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks, ISBN 0007214022 / ISBN 978-0007214020. Re-released by Random House Disney August 14, 2007; ISBN 0736424563 / ISBN 978-0736424561.
Dulcie's Taste of Magic
Written by Gail Herman, illustrated by Judith Holmes Clarke and Adrienne Brown. Released April 2, 2007 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007223080 / ISBN 978-0007223084. Re-released by Random House Disney January 8, 2008; ISBN 0736424547 / ISBN 978-0736424547.
Rani and the Three Treasures
Released April 2, 2007 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007223099 / ISBN 978-0007223091.
Rosetta's Daring Day
Released September 3, 2007 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007223129 / ISBN 978-0007223121.
Silvermist and the Ladybug Curse
Released September 3, 2007 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007262914 / ISBN 978-0007262915.
Queen Clarion's Secret
Released September 3, 2007 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; ISBN 0007223110 / ISBN 978-0007223114.
Additional Books
In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow ~ By Monique Peterson
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].
Merchandising
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 stationery.[12]
Film
Multiple films are currently in development to further extend the storytelling and bring the world of Disney Fairies to life. A computer-animatedfeature 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.
