I thought I found just a cute series of children's books about dancing fairies. Nope! I also found an explanation for my mistakes in dance class! There are over 200 books in the Rainbow Magic collection, which has been going strong since 2003. A new title came out in September of 2017, and a little online research revealed another series release scheduled for May, 2018.

The entire series focuses on Rachel and Kirsty, best friends who are also friends with the fairies and can travel to their world. Jack Frost is the villain of Fairyland, always causing trouble with the help of his goblins. These books are geared towards ages 7-10 and frequently come in themed sets. The Dance Fairies set includes 7 titles.

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Since there are no clogging fairy books yet (Please get on that, Daisy Meadows!), I borrowed Tasha the Tap Dance Fairy from the library. Any cloggers out there recognize the background in the top photo? Yep, this book came with me to NCHC Nationals at Opryland Hotel!

My clogging teammate/roommate for competition weekend, was a good sport and read along with me. Thanks, Molly!

The scoop is that Jack Frost stole the Dance Fairies' ribbons. When he was about to get caught, Jack hid the ribbons in the human world, each with a goblin guard. These ribbons help dance performances go smoothly, so their absence creates major problems for dancers everywhere!

Kirsty and Rachel attend a college open house with Kirsty's mother. After everything goes wrong during a tap dance class performance, the two girls help Tasha recover her ribbon and get the dancers back on beat!

Black and white illustrations decorate almost every page, bringing the story to life.

Tasha the Tap Dance Fairy is the 4th book in the Dance Fairies set. Dance types featured in the other books include: ballet, disco, rock 'n' roll, jazz, salsa, and ice dancing!

Who is Daisy Meadows? Several people, actually! Daisy is the pseudonym used by a team of writers who create these fairy books. You can identify the primary writer for each by checking who receives special thanks in the book dedication.

How was the book?

My childhood self loves it! I would've borrowed every Rainbow Magic title from the school library, then moved on to the city library. Who am I kidding? My adult self enjoyed it, too! I'm already planning to bring a few Dance Fairy titles to clog camp at Fancy Free Studio later this month. If my group of kiddos needs a rest break, I'll be prepared with a fun story to read.

FUN FACT: Editions for different countries sometimes use different names for the fairies and even for the characters of Kirsty and Rachel.

ANOTHER FUN FACT: Some Rainbow Magic books were only released in the US or only released in the UK. Most of the UK-only ones relate to royalty, such as Kate the Royal Wedding Fairy and Charlotte the Baby Princess Fairy. Gee, I wonder where Daisy found inspiration for those...

LAST FUN FACT, I PROMISE: There is even a movie about the fairies (not the dance fairies specifically)! Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island was released in the UK in 2010. It is not currently available through Netflix or Amazon Video, but you can find it on YouTube without much difficulty.

 What's this nonsense about an excuse for dance mistakes?

The next time I mess up a clogging routine, it will clearly be the fault of a missing dance fairy ribbon! Who's with me?

Sigh. Evie will never buy it, either... 

Charlotte Sandiego is not impressed by Tasha. She suggests you read Lara the Black Cat Fairy instead!

Nellie No doesn't care what you read next, but she's certain the book will be better if treats are delivered to her favorite chair right MEOW!

Do YOU have a dance book to recommend for a future review?