Fairies, fairies, everywhere!

Some signs of fairies' kid-culture ascendancy:

• "Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal," by Cicely Mary Barker, has spent 16 weeks on the New York Times' children's picture book best-seller list. Released in October, the $19.99 hardcover was still No. 6 on last week's list. Designed as Barker's hand-written journal, it includes lift-up flaps, letters and even an envelope containing a fairy "wing," as well as illustrations of flowers, fairies and butterflies.

The publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group, plans to launch a new line of Flower Fairies chapter books in May, and two national chain bookstores, including Borders, plan fairy-themed promotions this spring, said Diane Cain, director of consumer products marketing.

• Random House's new "Disney Fairies" paperback series was the company's most successful chapter-book launch in 15 years, said Kate Klimo, vice president and publisher of Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group. "The Trouble With Tink," released in January, was No. 6 on last week's New York Times' children's paperback list.

The paperback series continues the Tinker Bell-focused story started in Gail Carson Levine's "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg," a "Peter Pan" sequel that debuted at No. 7 on The New York Times best-seller list for children's chapter books last fall and stayed on for 22 weeks.

Disney is promoting its newest franchise with a line of fairy dolls, playsets and accessories out this fall, as well as a direct-to-DVD trilogy of movies (slated for fall 2007).

• Based on last year's popular direct-to-DVD "Barbie Fairytopia," Barbie's first live stage show, "Live in Fairytopia," kicks off next month with a two-year, 80-city tour that's expected to hit Seattle in late 2006 or 2007. When planning a theatrical show, Mattel polled girls ages 3 to 8 on which Barbie "world" they most wanted to see live. Fairytopia was the top choice, said Sarah Buzby, director of Barbie marketing.

More fairy books


"Airy Fairy": This illustrated, beginning chapter-book series by Margaret Ryan features an accident-prone fairy with bandaged wings and a bent wand attending the Academy for Good Fairies. For ages 4 to 8. (Barron's Educational Series)

"The Weather Fairies": This month, Scholastic is publishing Daisy Meadows' "Crystal the Snow Fairy," the first in a new Rainbow Magic series focusing on Fairyland's seven fairies who control the weather. The illustrated early chapter books are geared to ages 4 to 8.

"The Fairy Realm": Prolific author Emily Rodda (who also penned the "Rowan of Rin" and "Deltora Quest" series) is on "The Fairy Realm" series' book 9, "The Peskie Spell," published this month. For ages 9 to 12. (HarperCollins)

"I, Coriander": Set in the 1600s, this is the tale of a fairy princess' daughter, who must help the fairy world reclaim a treasure. Written by Sally Gardner, it was published last summer. Age 12 and up. (Dial)

"The Hunter's Moon": The first in a "Chronicles of Faerie" trilogy by O.R. Melling, the book follows an American teenager's attempt to rescue her Irish cousin, who was kidnapped by the King of Faerie. The second book, "The Summer King," is slated for publication in May. For ages 13 and up. (Amulet Books)

"Barbie Fairytopia" sold more than 1.5 million copies in the U.S. last year, according to Mattel. The DVD sequel, "Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia," starring Barbie as a young fairy who must save an underwater prince, premieres next week .

• In its second season, "Winx Club" is the No. 1 animated show for girls, according to 4Kids TV. The show, which follows the adventures (and fashions) of five teenage fairy friends as they battle evil, airs Saturday mornings on Fox. (Its season finale is at 9:30 this morning.) It has related fashion dolls, trading cards and a video game.

• Eoin Colfer's "Artemis Fowl," which updates the fairy world with computers and high-tech gadgets, has spent 68 weeks on the New York Times' children's series best-seller list. The fourth and most recent book in the series is "The Opal Deception," published by Miramax Books last year (out in paperback next month). The first book was reportedly being adapted for film, but a Miramax spokeswoman said nothing is in production at this time.

Stephanie Dunnewind,

Seattle Times staff reporter