This book has a lot to say. I don't think it's a simple fairy tale, not that many fairy tales are, but this definitely takes on a serious subject -- that of smoking. The title character takes on a challenge -- that of figuring out what she can do to help her mother quit smoking. Most people would probably agree Mimosa's mother should figure this out on her own. I think kids often feel helpless when they see adults struggle with problems like this. This book doesn't say that kids can solve their parent's problems. I think it more says that they can help in ways they might not have imagined and that they do have a say-so in things like this and that they can and should get involved. I applaud Mimosa for getting involved. Though we can't employ her solution to the problem of smoking addiction, there might be other ways we can help people who struggle with this if we are creative and willing to get involved.

This is a beautiful fairy tale. I love the way it made me feel. Mimosa has a good heart and finds a way to make a big difference in the world. I liked learning in the end what happens to Alexandra in the future. We get a small preview of some of the events in her life after she gives up her fairy spirit. I think this would be a great book for any child to read. It will let them know they are important to the world and it might help them make good life decisions.

I knew this book was going to have a serious theme. (Along with the fairy mission to save the nymph and the River of Wisdom, Mimosa wants to help her mother quit smoking.)
I thought this was going to be an anti-smoking book but it is not. It is not judgmental of smokers. The writer of this book makes it very clear that Mimosa's mother wants to quit smoking very badly and would probably avail herself of a magical solution if she knew one was available. I am pleased with the tone of this book is not judgmental, but it might have been a good thing for a stronger anti-smoking message to be placed into this book. This is just my opinon.

Mimosa's real name is Alexandra Hastings. Her spirit is from a mimosa tree blossom and she smells like peaches. She carries a feather from an emu for her wand and her fairy gift has to do with caring and sensitivity. However...we discover that she has a few human gifts that come into play as the story progresses.

Madam Toad, leader of the fairies, makes two kinds of appearances in this story. When Mimosa breaks the fairy rules, Madam Toad meets with Alexandra in regular woman form to counsel her on the rules and consequences. Later in the book, Madam Toad chooses Mimosa to lead the mission to the River of Wisdom to rescue a nymph from the evil Spirit of Ignorance. After the fairy mission, Mimosa makes a fairy move to put a plan into action that will change her life, and her mother's, forever.

This touching story is beautifully written and is a clever mix of real-life and fantasy events. I think this proves there is magic everywhere in the world, even in everyday events and the actions of others, whether we notice these things or not. My kids and I loved this book and will be sharing it with others.

The illustrations in this book are very colorful and are full of exquisite detail. This is appealing to all readers, not just young children.

I know a lot of people who home school in the Houston area, and some of them are using the books of this series. They are good as learning tools because of the nature information in the back and the positive messages about recycling and helping others. They are also good to use as incentives because the books are so much fun to read and contain exciting activities like recipes and patterns for friendship bracelets.

I have read all in this series and they keep getting better and more meaningful. This is truly beautiful, but not much about fairies. It's more about a girl making a tough decision. Her friends struggle with the decision too, after the fact because she keeps it secret from them until it's all over.

This touched my soul and my heart. Most people know someone who has died of lung cancer. While I was reading this I felt an ache for the loss of friends and loved ones who have passed on from that horrible disease.