I can’t remember where I heard about this book, but somewhere on a list of books about fairies. I was looking for books that would be good to suggest for Midsummer’s Eve, when the fairies come out. Even though the fairies in this book are not typical, they are magical, and I thought the story was a delight.

No Flying in the House begins, not with a fairy, but with a dog named Gloria, “a tiny white dog . . . only three inches high and three inches long.” Not only is Gloria tiny and intelligent: she can do three hundred and sixty-seven tricks. When Mrs. Vancourt realizes that Gloria is so very talented, this rich collector of curious animals and animal curios must add Gloria to her collection. But along with Gloria comes Annabel, the three year old for whom Gloria is responsible. It’s a package deal, and Mrs. Vancourt takes the package. And so the adventure begins.

It would be fascinating to read this story aloud to a six, seven, or eight year old and then listen to their narration or questions or responses. You could certainly attach a moral to the story: “be careful to whom you listen” or “having parents who love you is worth almost any sacrifice” or “no flying in the house.” However, I would refrain from commenting myself and just wait to see what the child or children think about the story. They might come up with much better ideas about his book than most adults could. Most adults, unfortunately, even the best of us, are a lot like Mrs. Vancourt and Mrs. Peach, her housekeeper, well-meaning but not very attentive or understanding of little girls.

The reading level and maturity level for this book is about K-3rd grade. It’s only 139 pages long, and the text and plot are well written, but simple enough for a young child to understand. I plan on sharing this one with the next primary age child who walks through the door of my library.