FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark Forman
[email protected]

FAIRY HOUSES - Now Available

Voted in "Top 10" Children's Book Sense list
recommended by the American Booksellers Association

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

If Tracy Kane has anything to say about it, they probably will. She's the author/illustrator of the new book, Fairy Houses, the companion book to the critically-acclaimed award-winning video Kristen's Fairy House. The story follows a young girl named Kristen into the woods where she builds a fairy house and then waits in anticipation for visitors. She's not disappointed. And, neither are the book's readers. In the wink of any eye, both kids and adults are out scouting for places to build their own fairy houses. Although focused on the creative process of building small habitats for fairies to visit, the story skillfully weaves the lure and mystery of fairies into an awareness of the natural wonders around us every day, as seen in the house visitors.

For children of all ages who love nature. Fairy Houses was inspired by a summertime walk on an island off the coast of Maine. There, along the path where Kane was walking, she saw little houses made out of twigs and stones, trimmed with a feather or shells, set up against a tree or beside a rock. When she saw a girl excitedly checking her house to see if the fairies had come to visit, Kane was captivated. "I loved the thought of partnering with nature to create these unpretentious habitats," says Kane. "It was a combination of ingredients an artist finds irresistible — creativity, nature and a pinch of magic."

"Top 10 Picks" Children's Book Sense List
American Booksellers Association highly regarded biannual listing of most recommended children's books

"Kane's ethereal drawings are simply amazing, glowing with a Monet-like light of their own ....... A must for children's collections" Today's Librarian

"Children will be eager to build a fairy house ...", School Library Journal

"I think you know this feeling…when you just HAVE to tell someone about a book because it's so wonderful ..... I want to tell you that the joy on both the children's and parents' faces was absolutely contagious." Teressa Corson, Stroudwater Books, Dover NH

Enchanted by the story concept, Light-Beams Publishing and Great White Dog Picture Company first worked with Kane to create the children's video Kristen's Fairy House. It immediately received accolades from trade publication reviews, plus an armful of prestigious awards - including the Parents Choice Gold Award, Notable Children's Video - American Library Association (1 of 10 chosen for 1999), Parenting Magazine - Video Magic Award, Gold Award - Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, and Honors Award - National Parenting Publications.

Following on the video success, Fairy Houses is attracting a wide audience - children, parents, grandparents, gardeners and naturalists. "Part of the appeal," says Kane, "is that fairy houses can be built in any season, anywhere – even in your own back yard!" The book concludes with a section on how to get started with your own fairy house, and is clearly responsible for the wave of fairy house building activity that is now sweeping the country.

Tracy Kane majored in illustration at Philadelphia College of Art. She also studied at the Wimbledon College of Art in London, England where she met her husband. She worked for several years as a commercial artist and EMMY nominated set designer for Public Television. She is an art association president, active in the New Hampshire Art Association, and spends much of her time illustrating and painting. She and her husband live in New Hampshire with their cat Toulouse.

Fairy Houses is the first children's picture book and second product in the "Fairy Houses Series".

For more information, visit www.fairyhouses.com or contact Mark Forman [email protected], or Light-Beams Publishing at 800-397-7641. Light-Beams products are available in book, toy and gifts stores.

TITLE: Fairy Houses
ISBN: 0-9708104-5-8
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Tracy Kane
BINDING: Hardcover. Case Bound. 11x8.5 in.
PAGES: 40
RETAIL PRICE: $15.95 US
EDITION: Third
BOOK TYPE: Children's Picture Book
AGES: 4 through 9
GRADE LEVEL: K through Grade 4
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Juvenile Fiction
DESCRIPTION: Fascinated by the array of fairy shelters made of bark, leaves, seashells and other natural materials, Kristen sets out to build her own fairy house in the woods. Little does she realize that Nature wants to get in on the act - with her own 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.
PUBLISHING DATE: September 2001
PUBLISHER ADDRESS: 10 Toon Lane, Lee NH 03824 USA
PUBLISHER PHONE: 603-659-1300
PUBLISHER FAX: 603-659-3399
CONTACT NAME: Mark Forman
CONTACT EMAIL: [email protected]
AVAILABLE: AVAILABLE: Direct, or through Baker & Taylor, Koen Book Distributors, Brodart Co., Book Wholesalers, Inc. Follett Library Resources, and others.

Fairy Boat (ISBN 0-9708104-7-4, $15.95 US, 40 pages, hardcover, ages 3 and up).
Fairy Flight (ISBN 0-9708104-2-3, $15.95 US, 40 pages, hardcover, ages 3 and up).
Kristen's Fairy House video (ISBN 0-9708104-1-5, $19.95 US, 40 mins., VHS, ages 3 and up).
Distributors: Baker & Taylor, Koen Book Distributing, Inc., Brodart, Follett.

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