Were you thrilled when Arrietty came out, but now want new tiny adventures? Well, look no further!
The Bromeliad trilogy by Terry Pratchett (1989)
I’ve tried very hard to stick to tiny people who are more people than fairy, and of all of Pratchett’s tiny people, the Nomes of the Bromeliad best meet that criteria. (We’re not even getting into the microscopic Carpet People here). The four-inch-high Nomes inhabit the various ecological zones of a department store and find a way to survive when the store comes under threat. Think of the possibilities for a tiny person in a department store! What I love about Pratchett (aside from the uncontrollable giggling) is that all of his tiny characters seem to gravitate towards tribal societies, which makes for fascinating reading.
And yet, if I was going to pick my favorite of Terry Pratchett’s little people, I’d go with those blue, quarrelsome Pictsies, the Wee Free Men, and I urge you to do the same. Possibly one of the silliest and most endearing mobs of tiny people ever imagined, the Wee Free Men (a.k.a. the Nac Mac Feegle) are prone to fighting, rollicking and swearing in their own completely PC way (crivens!). They loyally follow and defend Tiffany Aching, their Big Wee Girl. And Tiffany Aching, 12 years old and good with cheese, is heading into fairyland armed only with a frying pan to rescue her stolen brother, so she needs a little help. Trust me, this adventure is Not To Be Missed.
The Various by Steve Augarde (2003)
The Various are a collection of fairy-like creatures that inhabit a fiercely defended woodland on Midge’s Uncle’s farm. When she is sent there for a visit, Midge aids one of the little creatures and becomes embroiled in the fight to save their habitat from encroaching development. The cool thing about the Various is that they are not especially nice, or even necessarily likeable, but Midge is able to determine that it’s worth helping all of them for the sake of the few.
Little Grrl Lost by Charles de Lint (2007)
Ever wonder what happens when a Borrower grows up and gets an attitude? Teenage, six-inch-high Elizabeth is all blue hair and rebellion, in startling contrast to the other heroine of this book: the shy farm girl TJ who has recently moved to the city with her family. I particularly like how Elizabeth is completely willing to boss TJ around, despite all inequities of size. But then, that’s the point of the book: be true to who you are, and make up your own mind about who that is.
Want more reading ideas? Check out Part 1: The Classics. Also be sure to visit the ‘Wee People and Fairies’ display in Central Library’s Faye G. Allen Children’s Center!
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