Author offers remedy for “Nature-Deficit Disorder”
Building fairy houses reconnects kids with nature and increases curiosity.

Recent news reports have suggested that kids are suffering from “nature-deficit disorder”. Children are plagued by the estimated 44 hours per week that they spend watching TV and playing computer and video games according to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Some might argue that “nature-deficit disorder” is not just a problem for children, but is ever-present with adults, too.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, defines “nature-deficit disorder” as the cumulative effect of withdrawing nature from children’s experiences. Families too can show the symptoms — increased feelings of stress, trouble paying attention, and feelings of not being rooted in the world.

Building fairy houses, the latest outdoor craze, inspires appreciation and awareness of the environment through an activity that encourages year-round outdoor play. The tradition of building these environmentally sensitive, small dwellings to attract fairies and wood nymphs is generations old. Thanks to Tracy Kane, author and illustrator of the award-winning, critically acclaimed Fairy Houses Series; the spirit has been revived and is sweeping across the country.

Children, parents and grandparents, as well as gardeners and those who care for the environment can engage in fairy house building. Constructing these small habitats encourages generational bonding, as well as a sense of achievement.

Kane’s inspiration for the Fairy Houses Series began while vacationing on a small island off the coast of Maine. She was intrigued by the whimsical structures near the footpath built from twigs, bark, leaves, stones, feathers, seashells, and other natural materials.

What would happen if you built a house for fairies to live in? Would they come to visit? This simple and unique idea inspires children’s imaginations and captures their hearts. It encourages them to cherish and respect wildlife and their habitats. Fairy houses can be built anywhere…in a park, garden, woods and your own backyard…all it takes is a little imagination and a promise to only use natural materials. Fairies encourage everyone to respect nature.

Fairy Houses Guidelines
1. Fairy Houses should look so natural that they are almost hidden. A location close to the ground is best.

2. Use only natural materials. Dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles and pinecones are just a few examples of materials to choose.

3. Be careful not to use or disturb any of nature's materials that are still living, especially flowers, ferns, mosses and lichen. Fairies do not like to disturb or destroy anything that is growing in nature.

Children of all ages and those young at heart are encouraged to observe, be patient, and see a wonderful world dimension that is there every day, if they take the time to look. These are some of the subtle messages woven throughout the Fairy Houses Series.

The Series consists of three children’s picture books and a DVD, which have received six prestigious awards. Fairy Houses, the first book in the series, includes instructions on how to create a fairy house along with fanciful illustrations of seasonal examples. For more information, visit www.fairyhouses.com.

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To request a media kit, review copy, images of fairy houses, or to schedule an interview with Tracy Kane, please contact Mark Forman
603 659-1300 or [email protected]

What critics are saying…

"It's a gem."
Parenting Magazine

“A must-have for children’s collections”
Today’s Librarian

“Children will be eager to build a fairy house”
School Library Journal

“A wonderful way to get your kids to engage their imagination and explore the wonders of their own backyard”
Tom Bergeron, host - Hollywood Squares and America's Funniest Videos

Upcoming Event: Tour of Fairy Houses in Portsmouth, NH Gardens - September 24th and 25th, 2005, noon - 4:00pm. Take an enchanting walking tour through private and public gardens in Portsmouth’s historic south end. The tour features whimsical houses for fairies built with natural materials. Also featured will be houses made of natural materials by several local architects.