Disney Fairies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Disney Fairies is a Walt Disney Company franchise. The concept of the Disney Fairies, which is rooted in Disney's rich heritage of children's storytelling, builds on the popularity of the famous Disney character, Tinker Bell and introduces young girls to her secret, magical world as well as a new circle of enchanting fairy friends[1].
The Disney Fairies franchise has brand attributes which reflect the social development of core audiences, and has the following demographic characteristics [2]:
- 96% awareness with Mothers of children 2-5
- 94% awareness with Girls 9-11
- 91% awareness with Girls 6-8
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[edit] The Fairies
Tales concerning the birth of a fairy are widely distributed throughout history and published work. Fairies have been said to be created by Diana the Goddess (Leland, 2004), born inside flowers (Franklin, 2005), born from a midwife (Coleman, 1939), as well as created when something joyous happens (Bradley, 2002). Disney has chosen to remain consistent with J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, and explain that the Never Fairies are born when a baby laughs for the first time. The laugh that turns into a Never Fairy is quite rare, as it must take a journey across the ocean to Never Land, and when it arrives, it explodes, turning it into a fairy.
The Walt Disney Company categorizes their rendition of fairies by talent. Each Disney fairy has a specific talent or sub-talent that they perform. Talents include: water, light, art, nursing, garden, fast flying, harvest, sewing, washing, music and animal - along with a wide range of other talents and specified sub-talents.
Much like The Disney Princesses, the fairy franchise includes many different characters, each with a distinct personality, so that young girls will be able to relate to the fairies that have similar personas[3].
Tinker Bell: Tinker Bell, also known as Tink, is characterized as being sassy and brave. She is a problem solver and is considered the best pots-and-pans fairy in Pixie Hollow, as she has a passion for fixing things. Tink can be easily impatient and annoyed, yet she is extremely loyal. Tinker Bell carries a finger harp in her pocket so she can play a tune at any moment.
Beck: Beck is one of the animal-talent fairies. Her primary job is to care for Mother Dove and ensure that she never has to leave the nest. Beck is characterized as curious and good-hearted, though she can be a bit shy. While Beck loves Pixie Hollow, she is very curious about the great world.
Bess: Bess is an art-talent fairy. She is characterized as being messy and quite sensitive to criticism. She is Pixie Hollow's most talented painter, and is responsible for providing a new portrait of Mother Dove every year for the Molt celebration. Bess is considered to be Pixie Hollow's foremost art-talent fairy.
Fira: Fira, also known as Moth, is a light-talent fairy. She is characterized as fiery and a natural leader. Fira is responsible for training all the fireflies that light Pixie Hollow. Described as one of the most talented of the light-talent fairies, Fira is said to have a glow that could light the entirety of The Home Tree.
Lily: Lily is a garden-talented fairy. She has the most beautiful garden in Pixie Hollow. Lily is characterized as being down-to-earth and practical. She is extremely patient. She is the only fairy who prefers walking to flying. One of Lily's hobbies is to sit and watch grass grow (as grass tends to grow quickly in her presence).
Prilla: Prilla is the newest fairy in Pixie Hollow. She is the only fairy that did not know what her talent is when she arrived, though in Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg she found out what it was. Prilla is characterized as a good-humored fairy that always has good intentions. She is also described as being very freckled and "pleasantly plump", which is not an insult, but indicators that she is a bit younger than other fairies.
Queen Clarion: Also known as Queen Ree, Queen Clarion is the Never fairies’ leader. She oversees all life in Pixie Hollow. Queen Clarion is characterized as wise and dignified. Her ultimate concern is the health and well-being of her subjects.
Rani: Rani is a water-talented fairy. She is characterized as a passionate dreamer, who is enthusiastic and impulsive. For the sacrifice of her wings to save Mother Dove, Rani is also the only fairy in Pixie Hollow that can swim.
Terence: Terence is a dust-talent fairy, who hands out pixie dust to other fairies each day so they may do their magic. Since he is male, he is considered a Sparrow Man. He is characterized as charming, calm and kind. Terence has a bit of a crush on Tinker Bell, which she is unaware of.
Vidia: Vidia is a fast flying-talented fairy. She has an insatiable desire to be the fastest flying fairy and will stop at nothing to become faster. She is characterized as being unkind, as she often makes cruel remarks, and impatient when she is kept waiting. Vidia does not live in the Home Tree. While Vidia does not enjoy the company of other fairies, Queen Clarion has also banished her from Mother Dove's presence.
The Disney Fairies reside in the Home Tree, a towering maple tree, which is located in the heart of Pixie Hollow in Never Land.
[edit] Background
At the opening of the 2005 Bologna International Children's Book Fair, the Walt Disney Company revealed its plan to introduce a children’s illustrated novel for girls 6-10 years of age [4] . After much anticipation, Disney Fairies debuted September, 2005, when Disney Publishing Worldwide unveiled the novel, Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, written by Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine. The book, which is considered the cornerstone of Disney Fairies, launched in 45 countries and 32 languages with an unprecedented one million dollar marketing and publicity campaign. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg quickly became a New York Times bestseller and has already sold over 1 million copies worldwide [5].
[edit] Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg
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| Author | Gail Carson Levine |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | David Christiana |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fiction, Fantasy, Children's book |
| Publisher | Disney Publishing Worldwide |
| Released | 2005 |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7868-3491-9 |
The world of Never Land in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan serves as the inspiration for Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. [6]. The book's illustrations were inspired by the tradition and craft of early twentieth century European children's book illustration [7].
The story begins in Fairy Haven, located in the heart of Never Land. Prilla, who is a brand new fairy, born of a baby's laugh, arrives in Never Land and discovers that she has no talent for any of the fairy avocations. Tinker Bell takes Prilla to see Mother Dove, but before the wise bird can advise Prilla, Never Land is shaken by a terrible hurricane. Mother Dove is thrown off her nest, and the precious egg, which holds all the secrets of Neverland, is shattered. Immediately, all those who live in Never Land begin to age. The island's only hope is for some brave fairies to take the egg pieces to Kyto the dragon and ask him to restore it with his fiery breath [8].
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg arrived at U.S. bookstores on September 1, 2005, and became available around the world in 45 countries and 32 languages, Fall 2005. [9].
[edit] Published Work
[edit] Chapter Book Series: Tales of Pixie Hollow
- Published by Random House / Disney [10]
- #1 The Trouble with Tink ~ Kiki Thorpe (January 2006)
- #2 Vidia and the Fairy Crown ~ Laura Driscoll (January, 2006)
- #3 Lily’s Pesky Plant ~ Kirsten Larsen (January, 2006)
- #4 Beck and the Great Berry Battle ~ Laura Driscoll (January, 2006)
- #5 Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon ~ Lisa Papademetriou (April, 2006)
- #6 Fira and the Full Moon ~ Gail Herman (August, 2006)
- #7 A Masterpiece for Bess ~ Lara Bergen (December, 2006)
- Published by Harper Collins
- Tinker Bell Takes Charge (September, 2006)
- Beck beyond the Sea (September, 2006)
- To be released by Random House / Disney
- Prilla and the Butterfly Lie ~ Kitty Richards (April 2007)
- Tink, North of Never Land [double-check]
- To be released by Harper Collins
- Dulcie's Taste of Magic(April 2007)
- Rani and the Three Treasures (April 2007)
[edit] Additional Books
- In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow ~ By Monique Peterson
- Mysterious Messages ~ By Tennant Redbank
- Prilla's Prize ~ By Lisa Papademitriou
Fairies Magazine
- Secret Fairy Homes
- A Poem for Tink
- The Disappearing Sun
- The Shell Gift
[edit] Disney Fairies Magazine / Comic
In June 2006, Egmont Magazines launched a new monthly magazine for girls for 5-9 years old, produced by The Walt Disney Company Italia, S.p.A. and published in Italy a couple of months prior to the Egmont translations. The magazine, entitled Fairies, began with an initial print of 110,000 copies and a cover price of £1.99. The magazine's content is centered around Tinker Bell, and her fairy friends from the Pixie Hollow. Each issue features a collectable pull-out story, games, puzzles, posters and colouring pages. [11]. Fairies Magazine has been launched in Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, Spain, the Nordic countries, Portugal and Benelux[12].
[edit] The Expanded Disney Fairies Franchise
In addition to the Published work, The Walt Disney Company provides support for the Disney Fairies across all business units. The campaign includes The Disney Fairies Website,a global online experience, where visitors can explore and discover information about the Disney Fairies. The website allows users to learn about the fairies, create a fairy, visit the Pixie Hollow, and explore related merchandise.
Disney Consumer Products have also extended Disney Fairies into the homes and lives of girls around the world with a new line of dolls and role play assortments. The first Disney Fairies Products to officially hit stands were a series of 10-inch dolls, which were a Disney store exclusive in January 2006 [13]. Since then, Playmates Toys Inc teamed up with Disney in October 2005 to design and produce a line of toys for the Disney Fairies, which will include 3.5" small dolls, 8" fashion dolls, playsets & activity sets with DVDs and collectible story cards. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg was the inspiration for the line of toys. [14].
The franchise is expected to also begin working closely with a series of specialty stores & better department stores for Holiday 2006. Disney Consumer Products will launch a wide variety of Disney Fairies branded items. This will consist of everything from apparel to stationary[15].
[edit] Film
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This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content may change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available. |  |
Multiple films are currently in development to further extend the storytelling and bring the world of Disney Fairies to life. A computer-animated feature film, Tinker Bell, is reportedly in development by Walt Disney Pictures, and is scheduled to be released on VHS and DVD by Walt Disney Home Video Fall 2007. The movie brings the enchanting world of Disney Fairies to life in CG-animation, and audiences will see the Pixie Hollow for the very first time. While a voice was given to Tinker Bell in Hook, this will be the first time that Disney is providing the fairy that has been mute for 50+ years with a voice [16]. The Disney Fairy friends are expected to be voiced by some of Hollywood's most talented actors, including Brittany Murphy who will be the voice of Tinker Bell [17].
[edit] Postal stamps
A series of ten postal stamps were issued by Japan Post in 2006. Each stamp has a face value of 80 JPY, and they were distributed in a hardcover case, including some information about the Fairies. The stamps could be ordered at some post offices in Japan, and were delivered by mail to a Japanese postal address.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Bradley, L. (2002). Fairy Diaries Rebecca’s Quest: Rebecca's Quest. Penguin Young Reader Group.
- "Brittany Murphy Gives Tinker Bell Her Voice" Consumer Products: 2006 Press Releases, June 20, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Coleman, S.M.(1939). The Myth of the Fairy Birth. Psychoanalytic Review 26. pp. 301-314.
- "Disney Fairies franchise gets ready to take flight" Jim Hill. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney hopes fairies will fly into girls' hearts" USA TOday.com, August 25, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney Publishing Sprinkles Fairy Dust on New Children's Book" LPWire, April 14, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Disney Publishing Worldwide Announces Unprecedented Global Initiative: Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" Disney Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, August 26, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Egmont unveils Disney Fairies magazine in UK Media Bulletin, may 31, 2006.Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Factsheet Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "Fairies from Never Land Arrive at Disneyland" Disney Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, August 28, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg Amazon.com. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Franchise Overview Disney Consumer Products. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- Franklin, A (2005). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
- Leland, C. G. (2004). Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches. Kessinger Publishing
- Levine, G.C. (2005). Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. New York: Disney Press
- Peterson, M. (2006). In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow. New York: Disney Press
- "Playmates Toys Enters the Fairy World of Disney's Newest Franchise - Disney Fairies" Consumer Products: 2005 Press Releases, October 27, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- Publishing Disney Consumer Products, April 2006. November 11, 2006.
- Disney Fairies: Books Random House: Disney Fairies. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
