Book excerpt: For hundreds of years, fairies have enchanted imaginations, stirred awe and fear, and inspired a treasure trove of wonderful stories. Filled with hundreds of exquisite illustrations, this comprehensive directory provides a global, multi-ethnic, multicultural overview of fairies large and small, from tree spirits to winged sprites. Nearly 3,000 entries, arranged alphabetically from the South African Abatwa to the German Zwerge, offer glimpses into other worlds and times. There are creatures from Celtic and Scandinavian traditions, Greek and Norse mythology, Native American culture, the Far East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and more--all cross-referenced so it's easy to explore the themes that span the globe. An extensive introduction examines the origins of fairy folklore and provides general background on common beliefs.