How the leaves came down

How the Leaves Came Down by Susan Coolidge

 "I'll tell you how the leaves came down," The great tree to his children said, "You're getting sleepy, Yellow and Brown, Yes, very sleepy, little Red.

It is quite time to go to bed." "Ah!" begged each silly, pouting leaf, "Let us a little longer stay; Dear Father Tree, behold our grief; Tis such a very pleasant day We do not want to go away."

 So, for just one more merry day To the great tree the leaflets clung, Frolicked and danced, and had their way, Upon the autumn breezes swung, Whispering all their sports among,-- "Perhaps the great tree will forget, And let us stay until the spring, If we all beg, and coax, and fret." But the great tree did no such thing; He smiled to hear their whispering. "Come, children, all to bed," he cried;

And ere the leaves could urge their prayer, He shook his head, and far and wide, Fluttering and rustling everywhere, Down sped the leaflets through the air. I saw them; on the ground they lay, Golden and red, a huddled swarm, Waiting till one from far away, White bedclothes heaped upon her arm, Should come to wrap them safe and warm.

The great bare tree looked down and smiled, "Good-night, dear little leaves," he said. And from below each sleepy child Replied, "Good-night," and murmured, "It is so nice to go to bed!

Winter Verses and Circle time!

Look Out! Look Out!
Jack Frost is about!
He's after our fingers and toes;
And, all through the night,
The gay little sprite
Is working where nobody knows.

He'll climb a tree,
So nimble is he,
His silvery powder he'll shake;
To windows he'll creep,
And while we're asleep,
Such wonderful pictures he'll make.

Across the grass,
He'll merrily pass,
And change all its greenness to white;
Then home he will go,
And laugh, "Ho, Ho, Ho!
What fun I have had in the night!"

* * * * * * * *

Come in the garden
And play in the snow,
A snowman we'll make,
See how quickly he'll grow!
Give him a hat, stick and pipe,
And make him look gay.
Such a fine game
For a cold winter day!

* * * * * * * *

Snowflakes falling soft and light,
Snowflakes falling in the night,
Soft and Light, pure and white.
When the sun shines out so bright,
All the earth is dressed in white.

* * * * * * * *

When the North Wind whistles and blows,
Cherry red is brother's nose,
Very cold are sister's toes,
When the North Wind's blowing,
When the North Wind's blowing.

Logs upon the fire we'll throw,
For, as everybody must know,
We will have a fall of snow,
When the North Wind's blowing,
When the North Wind's blowing.
(Written By: Alfred S. Gatty)

**********************

Furry bear
If I were a bear,
And a big bear too,
I shouldn't much care
If it froze or snew:
I shouldn't much mind
If it snowed or friz-
I'd be all fur-lined
With a coat like his!
A.A. Milne

**********************

See the little snowflakes
Falling from the sky,
On the hills and housetops,
Soft and thick they lie.
On the window ledges,
On the branches bare;
See how fast they gather,
Filling all the air!

Look into the garden
Where the grass was green,
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.
Look outside the window,
All looks still and white;
Under snowy blankets,
What a pretty sight!
(J.D. Macey)

* * * * * * * *

Finger Plays

A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.
(show long nose with a closed fist like a trumpet in front of face)
Along a came a bunny, and what do you suppose?
(Hands show the bunny hopping)
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch,
(wiggle nose like a bunny)
Ate the snowman's carrot nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch
(pretend to eat the carrot)
(Oak meadow fingerplays)

* * * * * * * *

Five little eskimos by the igloo door
one went out to feed the dogs, then there were four.
Four little eskimos rowing out to sea,
one jumped on an iceberg, then there were three.
Three little eskimos making fish stew,
one burned his finger, then there were two.
Two little eskimos hunting just for fun,
one chased a baby seal, then there was one.
One little eskimo all his work was done,
went home to supper, then there were none.
(Winter, p.51)

* * * * * * * *

Chickadee, chickadee,
Flitting through the holly tree-
With your cap and scarf of black,
Sweater gray upon your back
You're warm and happy in the snow
And when I hear you call,
I know My little friend has come to say
That wintertime's just fine for play.
(From Ladybug magazine)

* * * * * * * *

Verse for Lighting the Advent Wreath

The first light of Advent is the light of stones.
Stones that live in crystals, seashells, and bones.

The second light of Advent is the light of plants.
Roots, stem, leaf, flower and fruit by whom we live and grow.

The third light of Advent is the light of beasts.
Animals of farm, field, forest, air and sea.
All await the birth in greatest and in least.

The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind.
The light of love, the light of thought, to give and to understand.
(Rudolf Steiner)

* * * * * * * *

We light one candle shining bright
Upon this Holy Advent night
Fill Our Hearts with loving might
Lead us to Christmas Day's brilliant light!

Second Week: We light two candles...

Third Week: We light three candles...

Fourth Week: We light four candles...

M.T. Shunemann, from The Christmas Star (available below)

* * * * * * * *

A candle's but a simple thing,
it starts with just a bit of string,
But dipped or rolled with patient hand,
it gathers wax upon the strand.
Until complete and snowy white,
it gives at last a lovely light.
Life seems so like that bit of string,
each deed we do a simple thing.
Yet day by day on life's strand,
we work with patient heart and hand.
It gathers joy, makes dark days bright,
and gives at last a lovely light.

* * * * * * * *

Riddle

I begin tall and thin, I end in a muddle, sad in a puddle (candle)

* * * * * * * *

Christmas Verses

Softly, softly, through the darkness
Snow is falling.

Meekly, meekly in the meadows
Lambs are calling.

Coldly, coldly all around me
Winds are blowing.

Brightly, brightly up above me
Stars are glowing.

* * * * * * * *

Christmas Wish

To every hearth a little fire,
To every board a little feast,
To every heart a joy,
To every child a toy,
Shelter for bird and beast.

* * * * * * * *

Mary rocks her baby,
Joseph holds a light,
Ox and ass are standing
In the stable bright.

Shepherds in the doorway
Come to greet the child,
Now they kneel before Him
And his mother mild.

One holds out a lambskin
Soft and white as snow,
All shall give their presents
Ere they homeward go.

* * * * * * * *

Story & Activity

There was a giant big and bold
Whose feet were getting very cold.
He came along to our town
And walked the stairs all up and down
Calling "Is no one hearing me?
My toes are freezing bitterly!
No single shop that I could tell
Has stocking giant-size to sell."

A little gnome both old and wise.
He gave him very good advice.
He brought two pretty bits of stuff.
The giant thought them good enough.
He wrapped his feet, his pain was eased.
And home he walked content and pleased.

Materials: Knotted cloth dolls [this could be a play silk or gauze square the you knot to show head and other body parts] with 2 extra pieces of fabric to wrap the giant's feet. Children can watch you knotting the characters.

VERSE: King Winter now is in the land,
he reigns with cold and freezing hand.
He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toes,
and gives our cheeks a shining glow.

FINGER PLAY: A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.
(show long nose with a closed fist like a trumpet in front of face)
Along a came a bunny, and what do you suppose?
(Hands show the bunny hopping)
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch,
(wiggle nose like a bunny)
Ate the snowman's carrot nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch
(pretend to eat the carrot)

The Snow

This is the way the snow comes down,
Upon a winter day,
But soon the golden sun comes out,
And melts it all away.
Lines 1 & 2: flutter fingers down from arms raised position until arms are lowered.
Lines 3 & 4: make large circle with fingers for sun.
— Author Unknown




Making a Snowman
Roll a snowball round and round,
Round and round upon the ground.
Make one, make two, here's what you do,
You can build a snowman too.
As the sun shines down some day,
Poor snowman, he will melt away.
Lines 1 & 2: roll hands around each other.
Line 3: make two fists, then put one on top of the other.
Lines 4 & 5: hold fists in snowman position.
Line 6: open hands flat out on top of each other.
— Gloria T. Delamar, Author

Clap for Santa Claus
O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing with glee!
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we.
How swift o'er the snow
The tiny reindeer
Are trotting and bringing
Good Santa Claus near.
Our Stockings we'll hang,
And while we're asleep,
Then down through the chimney
Will Santa Claus creep.
He'll empty his pack,
Then up he will come
And calling his reindeer,
Will haste away home.
Then clap, clap the hands!
And sing out with glee,
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we!
Verse 1 - All lines: clap hands.


Verse 2 - All lines: lock thumbs together and make walking motions with other fingers to indicate reindeer and sleigh.


Verse 3 - Lines 1 & 2: point down with four fingers of one hand.
Lines 3 & 4: put one fist on top of the other to represent chimney andd put upper thumb inside of upper fist to represent Santa Claus going down chimney.
Verse 4 - Lines 1 & 2: raise thumb from upper fist as Santa Claus comes up chimney.
Lines 3 & 4: lock thumbs and walk with fingers.

Verse 5 - All lines: clap hands.— Emilie Poulsson, Author, 1893

Lammas: Celebration of the First Harvest

Traditionally, Lammas marked the closing of one growing season and the safeguarding of another through the winter. Lammas is recognized as a Christian holy day, and is celebrated by the Church on the 1st of August. The celebrations often took place the last day of July or the first day of August, with the harvesting of grain. The sacredness of grain has been noted as far back as humanity itself. It is also a cross-quarter day, one of the four High Holidays or Greater Sabbats of Paganism. 'Lammas' was the medieval Christian name for the holiday and it means 'loaf-mass', for this was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from the first grain harvest and laid on the church altars as offerings. Strong associations of grains to the Gods or Goddesses of death and resurrection were also present.

Grains make up the main sacred meal in many different cultures. For example, the barley meal, called Tsampa, is part of the Tibetan daily diet. In North America, the corn meal staple, eaten daily by Native Americans of the Northeast is called Samp. It has been discovered that in many of the homes of Eastern European countries, such as the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, Hungary and Yugoslavia, there are small clay temple models which date back to the Neolithic period (6000-5000 BC). Many of these have human figures shaping and baking the loaves in bread ovens. In these countries, the Goddess of Life, Siva or Ziva, is shown holding a sheath of wheat.

Lammas has to do with consecrating the first loaf of bread made from the first harvest of that year. In the same spirit, corn dollies are made from the straw of the first harvest at this time as well. "Corn" in British means "grain" in American. Most of the famous "corn circles" that have occurred in Southern England in the last decade occurred in wheat fields, though other crops are involved as well. Modern corn dollies are many times made of wheat. In the case of the Iron Age Celts, their corn dollies were probably made from made from two early grains called emmer or spelt. Once again, in Celtic climes, this first harvest of the corn/grain crops occurs around the beginning of August.

Lammastide was also the traditional time of year for craft festivals. The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing strange, ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers. The atmosphere must have been quite similar to our modern-day Renaissance Festivals.

A ceremonial highlight of such festivals was the 'Catherine wheel'. Although the Roman Church moved St. Catherine's feast day all around the calendar with bewildering frequency, it's most popular date was Lammas. A large wagon wheel was taken to the top of a near-by hill, covered with tar, set aflame, and ceremoniously rolled down the hill. Some mythologists see in this ritual the remnants of a Pagan rite symbolizing the end of summer, the flaming disk representing the sun-god in his decline. Just as the sun king has now reached the autumn of his years, his rival or dark self has just reached puberty. Traditional Gardnerian and Alexandrian Books of Shadows say very little about the holiday of Lammas, stating only that poles should be ridden and a circle dance performed. This seems strange, for Lammas is a holiday of rich mythic and cultural associations, providing endless resources for liturgical celebration.

The most popular of all stories of this time is that of the Celtic God Lugh, the Solar God of the Celts. Lughnasad marks that moment at the beginning of August just before the harvest of the seed that had been planted in Samhain (sow-an) in early November, first moved on its own at Imbolc in early February, and had sprouted and was growing at Beltane in early May. The Celtic harvest season began when the first crops were gathered at Lughnasad and lasted until the last sheep and cattle were brought down from the highland pastures in time for Samhain around the first of November.

Some myths say that Bel (of Beltane fame) was his father. Others say that both London (Lugh-dunum - Lugh's town) and Lyons in France were named after him (though the linguistic link is not particularly clear in either case). In any event, this Solar deity was honored throughout the Celtic world from Ireland to southern France. The Sun is critical to a successful harvest. Just as Lugh Long Arm offered himself to the Tuatha De Danann, the crops offer themselves to us at the peak of their power and ripeness. It's no wonder that Celts offer the first of their harvest to him.

In most cultures there is a story of the grain god and his dying and resurrection. The oldest possibility is the story of Tammuz, the Sumerian God, beloved of Ishtar. In Greece the grain God was a female, Demeter. In Rome, the Goddess was Ceres, from whose name the word "cereal" is derived. The Babylonians, Assyrians and Phoenicians called their grain God Adonis. To the Anglo-Saxons and Norse people, the Goddess Freja is, among other things, a grain Goddess. Her name means The Lady, Giver of the Loaf.

In Christian mythology, there was a grove of trees sacred to Tammuz (the Sumerian grain God) in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. (Bethlehem, by the way, means "house of bread".) Many cultures look at the harvesting, winnowing and grinding of the grain as the death of God, and then the sprouting of grain as his resurrection. Churches to this day look at the bread as the body of the dying God, and often loaves are baked in the human form. Eating this bread is the partaking of eating the flesh of the God.

This Sabbat/festival is also known as the "Celebration of Bread". As bread was one of the main staples of our ancestors, the ripening of the grain was the cause for great celebration. The reaping, threshing and preparation of these breads spawned great ritual, feasting and ceremony to ensure a healthy bounty for the following year.

Lammas is a time of robust health and erotic energy. Ancient tribes met during this time of the year to gather news, to settle any disputed arguments, arrange marriages, and show off strength and skill. As might be expected, celebrations were held outside, under the bright blue sky. In addition to sporting events and traditional horse races, there was mighty feasting by the people. The celebration and honoring of these themes was fundamental to the fabric of our ancestors' lives and we should celebrate this festival with the same inspiration and energy. Whether your ceremony is the harvest of a vegetable garden, baking bread, or taking this time to make changes to your nature table, Lammas and Autumn have arrived and another season has turned.

Early people cut down the wheat with scythes and tied them into bundles. Then using flails, they pounded their grain to separate the kernels from the plants. By pounding, the husks were also loosened so they would come easily away from the grain. Beating the wheat was referred to as threshing. The kernels were then thrown high up into the air. The wind would catch the husks and carry them away, leaving only the grain behind. This was called winnowing.

They performed grinding of the grain by pounding two stones together. Native people used a mortar and pestle. Many times the pestle was carved from a piece of hardwood. It was used to literally pound the grain into flour. The quern was then developed, which was a hand-operated pair of grind stones. It was made of two round and flat stones placed on top of one another. The lower one did not move. The grain was then poured into a hole in the center of the top stone. As the top stone turned, the grain was crushed and the flour pushed out the sides. The quern sat on a barrel and the flour would spill over the edges and into the barrel. This led almost directly to the gristmills, which were so apparent near villages and town throughout the world.

Then, the baking of the bread began. The process was originally a four-step process. Grinding the grain, which was accomplished with the pounding between two stones. Followed by moistening it with water. Then shaping it into a loaf, usually a circular or round loaf. Finally baking the loaf. The first breads ever recorded were made by the Essene people. Essene bread was most likely baked on hot rocks under scorching sun light as they had no ovens.

The use of yeast came later, most likely in Egypt, where they used it for brewing beer and wine. Bread baking should be a sacred ritual. At Lammas, it is suggested that sprouted wheat be added to the loaf to express the idea of the dying and then resurrecting of the God of the Grain. (If you plan to do this, sprout the wheat a few days before baking. Directions for sprouting wheat are included in the Essene Bread recipe). Harvest & Essene bread (recipes follow) should be baked in rounds and torn apart, and eaten with the hands.

Some more ideas for celebration include the following: If you have a spring or well in your area, bless it and decorate it with flowers or float flowers at a local creek or pond. Take unwanted things (such as bad habits) from your life by throwing symbols of them into a fire. Bake a loaf of bread in the shape of a man and make him a part of your feast. Actually harvest the fruits from your garden with your family. If you don't have a garden, visit one of the pick-your-own farms in your area or support your local farmers market, and thank the farmers who have brought you these wonderful fruits and vegetables. Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate or cannot make the bread themselves. Finally, at the nature table: take a walk and collect goodies from the outside. Decorate with sickles, fresh vegetables & fruits, grains, berries, corn dollies, bread. The traditional Lammas colors are orange, gold, yellow, red and bronze.

REFERENCES:
Hope, Murry. 1987. Practical Celtic Magic. Thorsons Publishing Group, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England: Aquarian Press.
Ross, Anne, Dr. 1986. Druids,Gods & Heroes from Celtic Mythology Peter Lowe Publishers.

Celtic Warrior by Theodor de Bry, 1590. It was just before that mighty confrontation, known as the Second Battle of Moytura, where the Tuatha De Danann met the Fomorians face to face that Lugh, the deity after whom Lughnasad is named, first comes to Irish Celtic consciousness. He showed up at the walls of Tara during the celebration of King Nuada's reinstatement. "Who are you and what is your purpose?" was the challenge from the doorkeeper. "Tell King Nuada that Lugh Long Arm is here. Take me to the King for I can help him." "And what skill do you have, for no one enters Tara without qualifications," replied the man at the gate. "Question me doorkeeper, I am a carpenter." "We have one already." "Question me, I am a smith." "Sorry, we have one of them as well. "I am a champion warrior." "We've got our own." At this point, it appeared that anything that Lugh might offer, the gateman would reject, but Lugh persisted with a list of his qualifications - harpist, poet, sorcerer, one skilled in the strategies and tactics of war, cupbearer, metalworker and physician. In each case, the gateman replied that they already had one. Finally Lugh said, "Then ask the good King if he has anyone who has all of these skills. If he does, I will not enter Tara." When King Nuada heard these words, he sent his best chess player to the main gate of Tara to challenge Lugh to a game of chess. Lugh firmly trounced him. At this, Lugh was finally welcomed to Tara, and went on to lead the warriors as Battle Chief of the Tuatha De Danann to victory over Eochaid and the Fomorians.

First Harvest Bread
You can use Vegan versions if you wish !

2 cups milk (slightly warmed)
2 packages dry baking yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup honey
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
Mix these ingredients together and then cover the bowl and set in a warm place until mixture has doubled in size (approx. 45 minutes). Then add to this mixture the following:

3 Tablespoons softened butter
2 cups unbleached white flour

Stir until bubbly. Now comes our favorite part: adding the sprouted wheat:

1 cup sprouted wheat
1 cup rye flour
2 cups stone ground whole wheat flour

With flour on the board and your hands, turn out the dough. Gradually begin to knead the dough, adding more unbleached white flour until the dough becomes elastic and smooth and no longer sticks to your fingers. Place into a lightly greased bowl, turning once to cover all of the dough, and cover with a cloth. Keep it in a warm place until it has doubled in size (this time about one hour). Punch dough down and separate into two loaves or slightly flattened rounds. Place on greased cookie sheet and cover again with cloth. Let dough double in size once again (another hour). Beat a whole egg and a Tablespoon of water together and brush over both loaves. Bake in a 300 degree oven for approx. 1 hour or until they sound hollow when they are tapped.

We serve ours with Earth Balance butter sweetened with honey, or spiced up with some garlic or parsley.

Blessings on your harvest bread!

Verses for the Miller

The Miller

The windmill stands out
On top of the hill,
And when the wind blows
The great sails never stand still.
We'll go up and talk
To the miller so gay,
And then to grind corn
He will show us the way.
chorus:
The long arms go round,
The wheels go click-clack,
The white flour slips down
And is caught in a sack.
The miller's man carries it
Off to make bread,
For little boys, little girls,
All must be fed.

The miller is dusty,
His clothes are all white,
He's working amongst flour
From morning till night.
The sacks are so heavy,
They make him quite hot,
But he laughs at hard work
And he cares not a jot.
chorus
The long arms go round...

Blow, Wind, Blow

Go, mill, go!
That the miller may grind his corn,
That the baker may take it
And into rolls bake it,
And bring us some hot in the morn.

Winding and Grinding
Round goes the mill,
Winding and grinding,
Can never stand still.

Ask not your neighbor
Grinds great or small,
Spare not your labor,
Grind the wheat all.

Winding and grinding,
Round goes the mill,
Winding and grinding,
Can never stand still.

The Mill Wheel

Round, round it goes! As fast as the water flows
The dripping, dropping, rolling wheel
That turns the noisy, dusty mill;
Round, round it goes! As fast as the water flows.

Turning all the day, it never stops to play;
The dripping, dropping, rolling wheel,
But keeps on grinding golden meal.
Turning all the day, it never stops to play.

Sparkling in the sun, the merry waters run.
Upon the foaming, flashing wheel
That laughs aloud, but worketh still,
Sparkling in the sun, the merry waters run.

The Miller

When a mill went up, many people moved to the region to be able to get flour for their bread. A good miller was very important in these communities. A good miller needed to know how to operate and maintain the gristmill. He needed to know about the different grains, and grinding them without spoiling the flour. He needed to be strong, to carry bags of grain and flour back and forth from the mill. He worked very hard, because everyone needed their grains ground into flour for their bread. The miller was most likely paid in flour. he would then trade his flour for the items he needed. Often times these included food, goods, services and land. The miller quickly became one of the richest men in the community. For many Waldorf teachers, the miller symbolizes the activity of how to work the fruits of the earth, and the joy, which comes from that experience. He strongly symbolizes spirit cognition.

Flower and Earth Children

Children are so connected to living things in the garden. Below are a few of my absolute favorite flower fairies/children storybooks...

My name is Maginary the Fairy,

My life is joyful and oh, so merry:

If you want to be happy all the day,

Learn about living the fairy way.

We are gentle nature spirits you can trust.

Flowers and wishes bloom because of us.

We have a warm heart that shines so bright,

When you believe in us, you'll see the light.

We are really just tiny versions of you,

But our eyes shimmer with a magical view:

We try to be good, at least most of the time--

If I make a mistake, I admit that it's mine

Next time you hear the wind, listen well:

Soft whispers and secret laughter will tell

That fairy friends and magic are near

To help you with the things you hold dear!
The above taken from Fairy Fun by Marla Schram Schwartz. This is a great little book. It has instruction for projects, games, ways to bring fairies into your life. 

Midnight Fairy Craft and Party Book

Sprinkle a little fairy dust in your world! These marvelous crafts, fantastic party ideas, wonderful games, and enchanting stories twinkle across the pages ready to delight the young and young at heart. Bring the realm of the fairies into your own home with a series of glittering decorative items: a pretty, soft-bodied doll; a gilded castle, shining brightly; and a sparkling wand so you can cast some spells. Carry your stardust in a velvet and lame bag with a gold cord threaded through. Create a delicate fairytale scene in an old book; a large wish box or a small one with glimmer wings; and picture frames. And, because the fairy magic will catch you, give a very special party. Wear the fairy or wizard outfit that you've stitched up yourself; eat small chocolate star-shaped fairy cakes; and play Fairy Statues and Pin the Star on the Wand. There's so much to make and do! (all in color)

Fairy Fun

Does your child love the special make-believe magic of Fairyland? If she does--and most do!--Fairy Fun will delight with all kinds of wonderful, creative, and easy fairy crafts and activities. Using simple items found around the house and garden, your child can make fairy dust, a magic wand, fairy wings, and a fairy house. She'll make a pretty flower doll, grow a magic garden, and play with a fantasy sun catcher. She'll learn the best way to make wishes come true, how to do a fairy dance, and how to discover fairies outside. She'll find easy magic tricks, fairy riddles, tongue twisters, lots of fun ideas for playing with friends, and games for fairy parties and sleep-overs. With its wondrous color illustrations and imaginative projects, Fairy Fun will win the heart of every child who knows just how real fairies are.

Dear Fairies

When Adele finds a tiny letter among the strawberries in her garden, she discovers that there really are fairies living nearby! As she pulls each letter from its hidden place, she learns all about these magical creatures. The storybook will delight every little girl. There is also a special foldout section that includes note cards, envelopes, a pencil, and fairy stars for composing one's own letters to fairies!

Fairy Wings

Little Fia is the youngest fairy in a family of eight sisters; her sisters have lovely wings, she has none. Fia's seven sisters have compassion for her lack of wings, but they disapprove of her earthly behavior and the animals she has befriended, which are a frog, a rat, and a crow. It's time for the May Dance, and the fairies will be showing off their wings in the reflection of Puffers Pond near Troll's Wood. Fia has reconciled to being left out again. While sharing a new creation with rat, Fia runs into a boy fairy named Kip. He invites her to the dance, and she accepts. Will she be brave enough to follow through? Will the May Dance be safe near Troll's Wood where the wing-collecting Troll lives? Fairy Wings is a creatively written, artistically illustrated tale. The story is memorable, and little Fia, delicate in appearance, is valiant in thought and deed. She is a great role model. Fairy Wings is enjoyable for all ages, including adults. Getting through this 30-page wonder will take longer than you think; each illustration is wonderfully done, and will demand ample attention before you can turn to the next.

Wow! Finally you can have the step-by-step instructions you need to create wonderful ting fairy folk... This lovely book, entitled Fairies: Petal People You Make Yourself Rachel Haab presents Fairies: Petal People You Make Yourself, with a tiny spiral bound guide featuring illustrations, photographs and easy-to-follow instructions for making the wee creatures. A handy craft kit contains all the necessary materials including fake flower petals, colored wire and embroidery floss. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

The Importance of Believing in Fairies.

Fairies. Are they REAL? Fairies have a real importance whether you believe in seeing them, or not. When we experiment with believing in Fairies (make-believe), we explore the unseen world: the subtle world of forces and energies that affect all of us in ways that we are usually unaware of.

Have you ever had a fleeting sense of something? Perhaps you are learning to play an instrument, and you hear yourself suddenly create a quality of sound that is new to you, and wonderful. "How did I do that?" You go back and try to do it again. You try very hard, but no, you can't make it happen. Yet if, as you go on playing, part of you is open to receiving that sound again, it begins to happen more and more often.

Fairies are spoken of in the same way. You may see a Fairy out of the corner of your eye, but if you turn back and look, most likely the Fairy will have disappeared. Fairies are subtle and ungraspable. You cannot MAKE them do anything. But if they want to appear to you, or welcome you into their world . . . it is like grace. It is a gift, like being able to play that beautiful way on your instrument.

So while children are exploring their imaginative world, they are developing the delicate skills of awareness that will enable them to become adults who can do marvelous things: "grasp" intangible thought, perceive the inherent design, express the deepest feeling, understand the source or cause. . . .

Welcome the Fairies into your family's world. Who knows what richness is hidden there.

by Diane Katz © 2002
Rosenberry Books, where Delightful Fairy story-letters and books can be found