Bloom by Doreen Cronin and David Small is a fairy tale about a kingdom that makes the shortsighted decision to expel a resident fairy because she is too messy. Bloom is perfectly happy to take her muddy footprints into the forest and wave good bye to the kingdom. Years pass and the kingdom falls into disrepair. One by one, important personages are sent into the forest to lure Bloom back without success. They do not understand why mud is the key to rescuing their formerly beautiful palaces. When an “ordinary” girl is sent the solution becomes obvious and all is well. This is an endearing book.