The 6 Best Books About Fairies for Kids, Teens, and Adults

The unseen realm holds vast secrets, which only some venture out to explore. Fairies are just one type of spirit being that you can learn about—and there’s a lot to tell. Now, you may be thinking that you just want a fairy book for your kids who seem to have shown interest in winged creatures, and don’t worry, you’re still in the right place. Below, we highlight a variety of different fairy books, from fun stories you can read with your children to those deeply enchanting texts that take you into an enticing world full of magic.

A quick fairy book search and you’ll see there are tons of books on the topic to explore! However, to keep it simple, we highlighted six of our favorites. We include the best overall fairy book, an option for kiddos, one for teens, and some nonfiction options as well for adults to explore. We let you know how to select the right one and give you a quick summary of how fairies originated. We finish off this article with a few answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding fairies!

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Books About Fairies

#1 Best Overall: Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts by Judika Illes

The best overall book about fairies is Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts by Judika Illes. This book covers everything from the magic of saints to angels to fairies, demons, and even ghosts. It gives you a deep dive that goes from A-Z of all the spirits throughout the world and into the next dimensions. This is the most comprehensive guide that covers the goddesses of Kabbalah, female Buddhas, the green fairy, mermaids, and tons more.

You’ll learn about the beneficent entities as well as the mischievous entities. You’ll learn how to work with the spirits to bring good fortune into your life and invite love into your heart. You can explore how to improve your health and even your fertility. You’ll get well acquainted with the likes and dislikes of over 1,000 spirits and you’ll learn how to communicate with them for your benefit.

This book is rated 4.8 out of five stars on average. Customers are shocked by the amount of information provided in this amazing encyclopedia. If you’re someone who likes working with spirits, this is a must-have book. Another customer says he was a bit skeptical because he thought he could use Google as a reference to uncover all the information he was looking for on spirits and fairies but once he got his hands on this encyclopedia, he realized it gives him a good foundation to both honor and engage with the fairies he’s always been curious about.

A few reviewers said that some key spirits were missing.

Pros and Cons of Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts by Judika Illes

Best Overall

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts (Witchcraft & Spells)

• A deep dive that goes from A-Z of all the spirits throughout the world
• Covers perspectives from the Kabbalah to Buddhism and more
• 4.8 out of five stars on average

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2. Best for Children: The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman (Author) and Kristi Bridgeman (Illustrator)

If you’re looking for a fairy book written specifically for children, you’ll love The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman (author), Kristi Bridgeman (illustrator). This book is a winner of seven different children’s picture book awards and tells the tale of a whimsical, small fairy who likes to fly around at night in fuzzy slippers with some pajamas on. Her role is to visit children while they are sleeping. She is the one who is ultimately responsible for all of those little tangles and knots that accumulate in children’s hair overnight. Whenever a child awakens with messy hair, you can point to the knot fairy.

This book has won awards in 2007, and 2008, with the most recent being in 2017 when it received gold for best series in The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. It’s a paper book that has a total of 36 pages and it’s written by Bobbie Hinman, who is a former elementary school teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a minor in children’s literature.

This children’s fairy book gets a rating of 4.5 out of five stars on average. Customers find that it’s a fun story that allows them to get creative and explore imagination with the children in their lives. One customer went above and beyond for her neighbor’s four-year-old girl. She took some of her great-grandmother’s yarn and worked hard to crochet a teddy bear that looks just like the knot fairy!

Pros and Cons of The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman (Author), Kristi Bridgeman (Illustrator)

Best for Children

The Knot Fairy: Winner of 7 Children's Picture Book Awards (Best Fairy)

• Written specifically for children
• Winner of multiple awards
• 4.5 out of five stars on average

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3. Best Activity Book: Flower Fairies Art Activity Book by Cicely Mary Barker 

If you’re looking for an interactive fairy book, the Flower Fairies Art Activity Book is a perfect choice. In it, you’ll find over 72 pages of different drawing and coloring activities inspired by all the beauty that Flower Fairies bring. Either you or someone who loves fairies can enjoy hours of fun coloring and drawing in this giant art activity book. This book also includes an added bonus of two pages of stickers. There are 80 stickers total. You can use those stickers anywhere, but they do add a special finishing touch to the pictures in the book. This book is recommended for children between three and seven years of age, but it’s also enjoyed by people of all ages.

The author of this book is Cicely Mary Barker who was born in South London back in 1895. She passed away in 1973. She received international acclaim as an artist with her Flower Fairies books. The first one she created was called Flower Fairies of the Spring and was printed in 1923. She was self-taught as an artist and was educated at home due to poor health. However, she had plenty of encouragement from her supportive family and she followed through with her inherent desire to re-create the beauty she found in nature.

Customers rate this fairy activity book 4.7 out of five stars on average. Most customers find that it offers plenty of fun. One customer says that the kids love it. Now all of her girls are interested in everything fairy related. Another customer says that there are tons of different activities, and the stickers are a nice touch. Another customer said that the stickers are easy to pull off and place for small hands. There are plenty of grandparents in the comments saying that they purchased this for their grandchildren.

One reviewer said that the book was “not pretty enough! Disappointed when this arrived. A Flower Fairy Activity Book should be FULL of wonderful images and colors; and should have enough lovely stickers.”

Pros and Cons of Flower Fairies Art Activity Book by Cicely Mary Barker 

Best Activity Book

Flower Fairies Art Activity Book

• Over 72 pages of different drawing and coloring activities
• Award-winning artist and author
• Recommended for children between three and seven years of age

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4. Best for Teens: Tales of Mundane Magic: Volume One by Shaina Krevat

For teens that love exploring fairies and anything magic-related, Tales of Mundane Magic: Volume One is a great read. This story is about two sisters named Gertie and Bridget. Each of these two girls has special abilities with Gertie spending time learning all about enchantment and Bridget being able to perceive things with her left eye that no one else can. They take potions classes and enjoy games of basketball and every once in a while, a magical anomaly takes place. It’s a story that weaves magic with the mundane while covering the beautiful sister relationship between Gertie and Bridget.

The book is 120 pages long and was written by Shaina Krevat who is a software engineer at YouTube. She is living her dream, combining both art and programming in her life. She enjoys writing mostly fantasy fiction and she resides in Los Angeles, California with her pup, Atlas, who is constantly serving as a reminder that real dogs are much, much better than the fictional ghost dogs she sometimes writes about.

This book for teens has earned 4.8 out of five stars. Customers see it as a fun introduction to a world that will fascinate your teenager. It’s a fun volume with a couple of different short stories that offer a light and fun read. The stories vary from silly fun to true loss and even to understanding the danger that comes about when power remains unchecked. Although written for the teenage population, many adults have enjoyed this fantastic volume of short stories.

Pros and Cons of Tales of Mundane Magic: Volume One by Shaina Krevat

Best for Teens

Tales of Mundane Magic: Volume One

• Short stories about two sisters with magical abilities
• Fun introduction to a world that will fascinate your teenager
• 4.8 out of five stars on Amazon

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5. Best for Adults: The Faerie Handbook: An Enchanting Compendium of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects by The Editors of Faerie Magazine 

The Faerie Handbook: An Enchanting Compendium of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects by The Editors of Faerie Magazine is an amazing choice for adults who can appreciate refined literature along with plenty of other bonuses like art and recipes. As soon as you open this book, you’ll be welcomed into an enchanted realm that’s rich with mystery, myth, romance, and timeless beauty. It’s a well-organized handbook that’s split into four different sections. Those sections include 1) flora and fauna, 2) fashion and beauty, 3) arts and culture, and 4) home, food, and entertainment. You’ll find incredible contemporary and vintage fine art and photography along with several DIY projects, literature, essays, and recipes.

Included as well is a resources section that gives you information on all of the Fairy Festivals and Fairy House Festivals you can find throughout the globe. There is an inset image on the front cover of this handbook, and it’s decorated with ornate silver foil patterning on the front, on the back, and on the edges of the book. It includes a satin bookmark as well to touch on how refined and beautiful the contents of this handbook truly are. The author of this book is Carolyn Turgeon, who has authored four other novels and who serves as the editor-in-chief of Faerie Magazine.

This book has earned 4.8 out of five stars and is called a “spectacular portal to another world for fae lovers.” Customers love that you get an amazing compendium of everything related to faes. One customer says that he found the articles interesting and well-written. He found the artwork lovely and otherworldly. Just looking at the quality of the handbook, you can see that there was very intentional and delightful attention placed on every piece of it from the foil patterning to the satin bookmark and of course through the varying images and texts throughout.

A few reviewers reported printing quality control issues.

Pros and Cons of The Faerie Handbook: An Enchanting Compendium of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects by The Editors of Faerie Magazine 

Best for Adults

The Faerie Handbook: An Enchanting Compendium of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects (The Enchanted Library)

• Well-organized book for adults who can appreciate refined literature
• In-depth resources section full of recipes, fashion, fauna, and more
• Beautifully-decorated front cover

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6. Best Non-Fiction: Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk by Morgan Daimler

Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk dives into the subject of fairies in Celtic cultures. This has long been a complex and intriguing topic for many, and questions linger like what are fairies? What is their purpose and how can humans interact with them? In a world that is unfortunately disconnected from traditional folklore, it can be difficult to step into a space where the answers to these questions are possible. Often, when approaching the topic of fairies, you are bombarded with opposing beliefs. However, this book aims to cut through the noise and provide readers with straightforward text related to all of the older fairy beliefs.

You’ll explore everything from Fairyland to all the details of the beings who reside within it. This other world is full of both incredible blessings and frightful dangers and with this guidebook, you can learn how to safely navigate among the good. The author of this book is Morgan Daimler who aside from being an incredible author is also a blogger, poet, and teacher of esoteric subjects.

This book has earned 4.7 out of five stars from customers. It’s described as an “excellent and well-researched work” that piques the interest of readers. One reviewer says that it’s a good account of relevant Celtic myth and folklore and reminds you that this isn’t a Tinker Bell story. It dances between the realities of fairy teachings, traversing the most enticing parts and even the most terrifying.

One reviewer said that this was a great book but wished that it had an index.

Pros and Cons Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk by Morgan Daimler

Best Non-Fiction

Fairies:: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk

• Anthropological look into the subject of faeries in Celtic culture
• Author is a blogger, poet, and expert in esotericism
• 4.7 out of 5 overall Amazon score

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How to Choose the Right Books About Fairies

Finding the perfect fairy book depends on exactly what you’re looking for. As you can see, there are tons of different fairy books that you can explore. Some of them are geared more toward children who can enjoy beautiful, alluring pictures along with a fun story. Other books are a lot more involved and really take a deep dive into the spirit realm to explore not just fairies but also angels and other magical beings. There are also incredible fiction books written specifically for the teenage population who can enjoy a slightly more complex storyline that doesn’t venture too far into complex topics.

The activity book is interactive and allows you or someone you love (or both of you!) the opportunity to engage with fairies in a fun and creative way. Ultimately, it depends on what you are hoping to accomplish when purchasing a fairy book. If it’s just interactive fun, you can go for the activity book. If it’s for a teenager who is interested in fiction novels, the volume of short stories we highlighted is an excellent pick, and if you are looking for a bedtime story for a young child, The Knot Fairy is a really fun and entertaining story that is sure to intrigue your little ones.

If, however, you are feeling called to learn more about Fairyland and the origin of fairies, then you’ll want to take the time to pick up the Fairy Handbook, which gives you that deep dive along with some added bonuses. You can also check out the Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk, which also offers a deep dive into Fairyland, giving you some basic facts about fairies, and helping you understand the role of fairies in the modern world.

So, decide on the reason you want to pick up a fairy book, consider the age of the person you’re buying this for or consider the recommended ages when picking something up for yourself, and figure out if you’re interested in fiction, nonfiction, or if you’re more interested in an interactive type of book. The awesome thing about fairy books is that there are so many to choose from and they all have something magical to offer!

Understanding Fairies: Where Did They Originate?

Stories of fairies have long been told, with many stories making it to modern homes that don’t even consider the origin of the myth. For example, the tooth fairy is commonly referenced when children are in the stage of losing their baby teeth. They are told by their parents that placing the lost teeth underneath their pillow is the practice to have the tooth fairy come pick them up and leave a little something behind. Children follow through excitedly with this practice and usually discover a couple of coins or maybe a couple of dollar bills underneath their pillows in the morning.

There are other fairies that are widely recognized like the green fairy, which is associated with the alcohol concoction called absinthe. Supposedly, this concoction makes you hallucinate and you’re able to interact with a green fairy. However, these claims were grossly exaggerated over time. Another popular fairy that is well recognized is Tinker Bell from the Peter Pan story. Fairies find their way into the lives of children and adults throughout the world and it’s important to know where they originated.

The word fairy is actually derived from Latin. Fata is the Latin word that translates to “fate” and in old French, that translates to faerie. Faerie means enchantment. Now, when you think about another popular story that includes a fairy godmother (Cinderella), you can consider how this story of enchantment relates to the original meaning of faerie. Some of the first writings originated in English folklore with many stories pointing to moral lessons. However, fairies haven’t always been depicted as good-natured creatures. In some texts, fairies were greatly feared.

In Ireland, for example, the people had a genuine fear of upsetting the fairies and wouldn’t call them by their name. Instead, they referred to them as “neighbors” or “little people.” In fact, Irish cottages were sometimes built with the back door perfectly aligned with the front door. The families would leave these two doors open to ensure that fairies had a clear passage through. According to some legends, fairies had to move underground as humans began building entire cities and roads that didn’t make way for the fairies.