Fairy Houses (The Fairy Houses Series) » (Third edition)

Tracy Kane is the creator of the Fairy Houses Series of children’s books and video. She studied illustration at the Philadelphia College of Art and worked in public television as a commercial artist for several years. She lives in Lee, New Hampshire.

What happens when you build a house for the fairies to live in? Do they come to visit?

Fascinated by the array of fairy shelters made of bark, leaves, seashells and other natural materials, Kristen sets out to build a fairy house in the woods. Little does she realize that nature wants to get in on the act - with her own special cast of characters!

Each time, as Kristen checks on her fairy house, there is an unexpected visitor! Irresistible illustrations enhance the anticipation of what will happen next, right up to the surprise ending.

Does Kristen really see the fairies? Or is it the influence of a particular place at a special moment? This enchanting story reveals how nature inspires children's imaginations and captures their hearts. It encourages them to cherish and respect wildlife and their habitats. And to create their own fairy houses at any time of year in woods, meadows, parks, and even in their own back yards!

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Kristen's parents take her on a vacation to Maine and show her a village of little houses made from natural materials in the woods that humans have made for fairies. The child builds her own miniature home and returns each morning to find only animals enjoying it. However, on the last day, after seeing only a deer licking the salt off seashells placed at the entrance to her little building, Kristen falls into a light slumber. It is then that she is rewarded with the fairies appearing to her as thanks for respecting the woods and its animals. The fairies glow so brightly that she must close her eyes, and when she reopens them they have changed into beautiful monarch butterflies. Children will be eager to build a fairy house with the inspiring suggestions provided by the author at the end of the book. Kane's fanciful illustrations are colorful, and their somewhat muted appearance on the page add to the child's dreamlike trip.-Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.