My Book!

As I mentioned in one of my posts, I’ve decided to write some books and publish them through a POD (print on demand) company, probably Lulu.com. I thought I would share a little of what I have wrote as a possible introduction or marketing blurb about it. It’s also a way to keep me moving on the project, by putting it out there to you!

There are many books on creating nature tables, table puppets, and flower fairies. However, most of the plants represented in them are garden flowers, and for the most part, European species. I have had a personal interest in native plants for many years, as well as a desire to help tailor education to the needs of different cultures and regions.

If one of the goals of nature tables, puppet plays, and the like is to help instill a love and understanding of nature in children, wouldn’t it be in our best interest for those activities to reflect the natural world where the children are? Certainly, the falling brightly colored leaves of deciduous trees reflect the inner gesture of the autumn season, as does the sprouting of little flowers from bulbs in the spring. But what if you live in the desert Southwest? Or tropical Hawa’ii or New Zealand?

So, I hope that this book will be a welcome addition to the wonderful work that others have done in beginning the tradition of flower fairies and nature tables.

Please note: you might wonder why certain common wild plants are not included here. Many plants are not native, but have succeeded quite well in their adopted homes. Some examples in the United States are tumbleweeds, which originated in the Russian steppes, mullein, which comes from Asia, or the ubiquitous European dandelion. I have purposefully excluded these alien invaders, to give attention to truly native plants.

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Nature tables are a popular way to honor the changing of the seasons and encourage children’s love and awareness of the natural world. This series of books expands the traditional garden flower fairy concept to embrace the native plants and flowers of various regions. Information about the plants and their traditional uses will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of these flower children.

Detailed, step-by-step instructions are given for several levels of complexity. Only a few, simple materials are required to make a wide range of flower figures. Numerous color photos display the variety of creative expression that can grace your home or classroom.

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TITLES

Currently in development:
Flower Fairies of the American Northeast
Flower Fairies of the American West
Flower Fairies of Australia and New Zealand

Planned for the future:
Flower Fairies of the American Midwest
Flower Fairies of Hawa’ii
Flower Fairies of the American South
Flower Fairies of Brazil

Please feel free to suggest others you would like to see! After the four books on American flowers are completed, I will consider creating a single compilation of them.