LEE NH (June 30, 2009): In a world of indoor video games, the New England tradition of building fairy houses is being re-discovered by parents and educators as an imaginative activity that puts children back in touch with nature. Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery (ages 7-11; grades 3-6; to be published October 2009 by Light-Beams Publishing), written by Tracy Kane and Kelly Sanders and with 28 black-and-white illustrations by Tracy Kane, inspires young readers to build their own fairy houses and reconnect with the natural world around them.
Eleven-year-old Kate moves to a new home at the edge of a forest. Soon she and her neighbor Luke discover a fairy house hidden in a tree trunk, and a clue that leads them to another fairy house, and another. The forest is full of secrets, and the children are enthralled of the hidden, enchanted world just beyond their door. When the news comes that a developer’s interested in the land, Kate and Luke have a new mystery to solve: how can they save the natural world they’ve grown to love?
Committed to connecting families and nature through books, videos and events featuring fairy houses, Light-Beams Publishing continues its award-winning Fairy Houses Series® with Forest Secrets. Reconnecting children to nature is essential for their emotional and physical health, according to child development expert Richard Louv, author of the bestselling Last Child Left in the Woods, and the No Child Left Inside Coalition of over 1000 organizations, including Audubon International, National Wildlife Federation, and the National Science Teachers Association.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Tracy Kane gives fairy house workshops at schools, libraries, nature centers and other venues related to the “No Child Left Inside” initiative. Creator of The Fairy Houses Series® of books and video, Kane and Light-Beams Publishing have won numerous awards for their books and videos. She lives in Lee, NH. Kelly Sanders lives in Farmington, CT. She is a Literacy Specialist, coaches teachers and teaches reading and writing to students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
AWARDS for The Fairy Houses Series® and Light-Beams Publishing:
“Top 10” Children’s Book Sense - American Booksellers Association
Best website: Mom Choice Awards
Gold Award - Parents' Choice
Gold Award - Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Video Magic Award - Parenting Magazine
Honors Award - National Parenting Publications
"Top 10" Notable Children’s Video - American Library Association
Seal of Excellence - Children of The New Earth Magazine
Endorsement - Coalition for Quality Children’s Media
Endorsement - Dove Foundation
"It's one of the most enchanting picture books of all time!" -- Chinaberry (about Fairy Houses…Everywhere!)
“Children will be eager to build a fairy house .… Kane’s fanciful illustrations are colorful … and add to the child’s dreamlike trip” -- School Library Journal (about Fairy Houses)
“A simply joyous fantasy picture book” -- The Midwest Book Review (about Fairy Flight)
“A gem.” -- Parenting Magazine (about Kristen’s Fairy House)
“It has the timeless, transporting feel of a great storybook.” – Family Fun Magazine (on Kristen’s Fairy House)
Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery
by Tracy Kane and Kelly Sanders; illustrations by Tracy Kane
To be published October 2009 Light-Beams Publishing
ages 7-11
grades 2-5
nature/fiction/parenting
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