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Piper Green and the Fairy Tree #1
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree
From award-winning author Ellen Potter comes a charming new chapter book series where kids, lobster boats, and a hint of magic are part of everyday life.
There are three things you should know about Piper Green:
1. She always says what’s on her mind (even when she probably shouldn’t).
2. She rides a lobster boat to school.
3. There is a Fairy Tree in her front yard.
Life on an island in Maine is always interesting. But when a new teacher starts at Piper’s school—and doesn’t appreciate the special, um, accessory that Piper has decided to wear—there may be trouble on the horizon. Then Piper discovers the Fairy Tree in her front yard. Is the Fairy Tree really magic? And can it fix Piper’s problems?
There are three things you should know about Piper Green:
1. She always says what’s on her mind (even when she probably shouldn’t).
2. She rides a lobster boat to school.
3. There is a Fairy Tree in her front yard.
Life on an island in Maine is always interesting. But when a new teacher starts at Piper’s school—and doesn’t appreciate the special, um, accessory that Piper has decided to wear—there may be trouble on the horizon. Then Piper discovers the Fairy Tree in her front yard. Is the Fairy Tree really magic? And can it fix Piper’s problems?
112 pages, Library Binding
First published August 4, 2015
21 people are currently reading
713 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Potter
55 books258 followersEllen Potter is the author of many children's books, including the Olivia Kidney series, Pish Posh, SLOB, and The Kneebone Boy. Her non-fiction book, Spilling Ink; a Young Writer’s Handbook, was co-authored by Anne Mazer
Olivia Kidney was awarded Child magazine’s “Best Children’s Book Award” and was selected as one of the “Books of the Year” by Parenting magazine.
SLOB is on more than 10 state book award lists and was selected for the Junior Library Guild.
Spilling Ink; A Young Writer’s Handbook was a New York Public Library Top 100 Children’s Book for 2010 and a Children’s Literature Assembly 2011 Notable Book.
Her newest series is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree.
Olivia Kidney was awarded Child magazine’s “Best Children’s Book Award” and was selected as one of the “Books of the Year” by Parenting magazine.
SLOB is on more than 10 state book award lists and was selected for the Junior Library Guild.
Spilling Ink; A Young Writer’s Handbook was a New York Public Library Top 100 Children’s Book for 2010 and a Children’s Literature Assembly 2011 Notable Book.
Her newest series is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
June 8, 2024
This is a middle grade, and this is the first book in the Piper Green series. I listen to the audiobook for this book. The narrator was good and the audiobook was short. I think young children will really enjoy this book. I really love the message in this book. I really wish the characters had more development, but overall I enjoyed this book. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Live Oak Media) or author (Ellen Potter) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
October 4, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
●●Audio Book Version ●●
Piper Green and the fairy tree is a cutely told children's book about a little girl called Piper who lives on a small island with her family.
This is the first book in the series.
Piper is quite a strong minded and strong willed child who gets herself in trouble at times for being so strong willed and stubborn.
Piper hears the tree crying one day and discovers something unusual within it....
Children will love this book, however I did feel it was quite short as a children's audio book.
The narrator did a good job of the story but I couldn't see it grabbing the attention of a child as much as a physical book with pictures which I believe the paper copy includes.
I rated this book as 3 stars because I didn't think the plot would be especially entertaining to children for whom the age is intended for. My 7 year old has listened to part of this with me today and got bored so I listened to the rest on my own. I work with children of this age range and don't think it is a book they would pick to read and hasn't got enough of a plot to be a class novel.
●●Audio Book Version ●●
Piper Green and the fairy tree is a cutely told children's book about a little girl called Piper who lives on a small island with her family.
This is the first book in the series.
Piper is quite a strong minded and strong willed child who gets herself in trouble at times for being so strong willed and stubborn.
Piper hears the tree crying one day and discovers something unusual within it....
Children will love this book, however I did feel it was quite short as a children's audio book.
The narrator did a good job of the story but I couldn't see it grabbing the attention of a child as much as a physical book with pictures which I believe the paper copy includes.
I rated this book as 3 stars because I didn't think the plot would be especially entertaining to children for whom the age is intended for. My 7 year old has listened to part of this with me today and got bored so I listened to the rest on my own. I work with children of this age range and don't think it is a book they would pick to read and hasn't got enough of a plot to be a class novel.
January 10, 2021
*3.5/5
Piper is a little girl who lives in Peek-a-boo island with her parents and two brothers and the story begins with her older brother leaving for the mainland, since he is now in middle school and their little island doesn't have that type of school.
However, before he leaves, he gives her his favourite pair of earmuffs to remember him by.
And from that day on, she wears them all the time, even in her sleep.
In school tho, her new teacher, isn't happy to see her wearing them in class, so she complains to her parents. That results to her disliking her teacher and not wanting to go back to school, which she does the very next day.
She skips school and hides up on a tall tree, where she watches her fellow islanders going on with their lives.
Suddenly she hears, what she believes to be, the tree crying.
An old lady that happened to walk by with her dog, helps her discover what was making all that noise, and to their surprise, they found two kittens trapped inside of it.
Piper, having instantly fallen in love with them and rightfully so, decides to adopt them. But the lady tell her that the tree they were found in, is a fairy tree. Meaning that, when it gives you a treasure (in this case, the kittens) you have to give it back another treasure.
And that's where Piper decides to part with her earmuffs.
The story ends with her at school, reminiscing about how much she loves her older brother and two new pets.
It is a fun and heartwarming story, I'll give it that.
And I'd like to read the sequels too. I feel kind of bad that I read this as an audiobook instead of an ebook or a physical book, because I feel like I've missed out on the pretty illustrations.
Now, on the things I didn't like, I feel like the plot was all over the place and maybe a little bit weak. Plus, I feel like it kicked near the end of the story.
Anyway, I think I will wrap up my review right here, because I think I don't have anything else to say.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Piper is a little girl who lives in Peek-a-boo island with her parents and two brothers and the story begins with her older brother leaving for the mainland, since he is now in middle school and their little island doesn't have that type of school.
However, before he leaves, he gives her his favourite pair of earmuffs to remember him by.
And from that day on, she wears them all the time, even in her sleep.
In school tho, her new teacher, isn't happy to see her wearing them in class, so she complains to her parents. That results to her disliking her teacher and not wanting to go back to school, which she does the very next day.
She skips school and hides up on a tall tree, where she watches her fellow islanders going on with their lives.
Suddenly she hears, what she believes to be, the tree crying.
An old lady that happened to walk by with her dog, helps her discover what was making all that noise, and to their surprise, they found two kittens trapped inside of it.
Piper, having instantly fallen in love with them and rightfully so, decides to adopt them. But the lady tell her that the tree they were found in, is a fairy tree. Meaning that, when it gives you a treasure (in this case, the kittens) you have to give it back another treasure.
And that's where Piper decides to part with her earmuffs.
The story ends with her at school, reminiscing about how much she loves her older brother and two new pets.
It is a fun and heartwarming story, I'll give it that.
And I'd like to read the sequels too. I feel kind of bad that I read this as an audiobook instead of an ebook or a physical book, because I feel like I've missed out on the pretty illustrations.
Now, on the things I didn't like, I feel like the plot was all over the place and maybe a little bit weak. Plus, I feel like it kicked near the end of the story.
Anyway, I think I will wrap up my review right here, because I think I don't have anything else to say.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2017
Well this was a pretty decent start, though I have to say it was a bit too short for my liking. This felt more like one chapter of a story instead of the first book in a series.
Also, I may be the only one, but I thought Erik was dead. With how everyone talked about him, especially Piper, I thought something terrible had happened, but instead Erik just had to move so he could go to high school.
I quite liked Piper, but at times I just found her rude and a bit too weird. Especially towards adults. Yes, I get you miss your brother, I get that you want to keep those earmuffs on, but really, no is no. It just that easy.
I quite like the world building in this one. The islands seem like a fun, peaceful place to live. I also like the name of the islands (Peek-a-Boo).
There are also illustrations throughout the book and I am glad to see they are all just as fun as the cover illustration is. Piper looks a bit like Judy Moody (just younger).
I will be reading the other books in this series, and then bundle the reviews on my blog. :)
Also, I may be the only one, but I thought Erik was dead. With how everyone talked about him, especially Piper, I thought something terrible had happened, but instead Erik just had to move so he could go to high school.
I quite liked Piper, but at times I just found her rude and a bit too weird. Especially towards adults. Yes, I get you miss your brother, I get that you want to keep those earmuffs on, but really, no is no. It just that easy.
I quite like the world building in this one. The islands seem like a fun, peaceful place to live. I also like the name of the islands (Peek-a-Boo).
There are also illustrations throughout the book and I am glad to see they are all just as fun as the cover illustration is. Piper looks a bit like Judy Moody (just younger).
I will be reading the other books in this series, and then bundle the reviews on my blog. :)
September 6, 2015
There were several really good, laugh out loud moments. I'm excited to welcome Piper Green into my students' lives.
January 22, 2016
Cute little early reader--target range is from 7 to 9 years old. Earlier would be even better, I think.
Little Piper is a quirky kid surrounded by other quirky souls on an island in Maine--but kind souls, and it seems like a good place to grow up. Except that for high school, you have to go to the mainland at a boarding school. This is where her big brother Erik just went, and she misses him. But the townsfolk take care of her in sweet ways.
Little Piper is a quirky kid surrounded by other quirky souls on an island in Maine--but kind souls, and it seems like a good place to grow up. Except that for high school, you have to go to the mainland at a boarding school. This is where her big brother Erik just went, and she misses him. But the townsfolk take care of her in sweet ways.
November 16, 2025
We really enjoyed this one—there are lots of funny details that ring true for school aged kids. It also has a cool setting! There’s hardly any pictures and my 3 and 5 year old stayed engaged the whole time!
Took away a star because I don’t enjoy the emphasis on luck and things being lucky.
Took away a star because I don’t enjoy the emphasis on luck and things being lucky.
August 15, 2015
Second grader Piper Green desperately misses her older brother, Erik, who has to live away from the family while attending high school. She decides to wear his earmuffs to remind her of him while he's gone. As if that isn't bad enough, Piper discovers that her new teacher, Ms. Arabella, may look like a fairy princess, but she doesn't sound or look like one. Why, she even insists on giving the class a seating chart, which lands Piper next to someone who always annoys her. If it weren't for her finding a fairy tree and two sweet little kittens, thanks to her neighbor, Mrs. Pennypocket, this could be a very, very long school year. I love having a series set off the coast of Maine and featuring a character who needs to ride a lobster boat to school each day. This series is sweet in many ways, and the ink and digital illustrations depicting the characters and the setting put readers right in Maine with Piper.
July 8, 2015
What an excellent series for younger readers! The plot kept my daughter and I guessing, the story is realistic with a hint of fantasy, and the precocious main character (Piper) deals with real emotional issues. I wish all early reader series had this much respect for the abilities of younger readers to understand more complex texts. Plus, living on an island and having to take a lobster boat to school sounds fun.
May 26, 2015
SO excited about this new series from author, Ellen Potter! Piper is a character that readers will find engaging and the story line is easy to follow, but not over simplistic. I''m looking forward to more installments!
December 7, 2020
This was a cute chapter book for children, especially for elementary grades. The story was interesting to follow, but I somehow expected it to be more entertaining or to find lessons children could learn from it.
I listened to the audiobook, which was captivating!
Thank you, Netgalley and Ellen Potter, for providing me with a copy.
I listened to the audiobook, which was captivating!
Thank you, Netgalley and Ellen Potter, for providing me with a copy.
January 12, 2021
I loved this really cute book. And I guess it took me just a day to finish it. It was such a sweet story and it was wonderfully narrated. Loved it. I guess, it is not just for kids, but I would recommend it for every age group and anyone could read this anytime.
June 2, 2025
Very sweet, succinct story with a nice lesson and plenty of opportunity for conversations with your own child. Great for reading aloud.
September 21, 2020
Piper lives on a tiny island in Maine, and has to take a lobster boat to school on the main land.
She is excited to start 2nd grade, but a new teacher threatens to ruin everything.
This was very a very different starter chapter book. A lot of setting, lots of feelings, and interesting characters. Less plot driven than usual, but what plot there is, is fine. The "fairy tree" doesn't come up until halfway through the book, and it isn't clear whether the tree is actually magical. This is one that I think kids will either love or hate. It's really short because each chapter heading has its own page, but there aren't many pictures.
She is excited to start 2nd grade, but a new teacher threatens to ruin everything.
This was very a very different starter chapter book. A lot of setting, lots of feelings, and interesting characters. Less plot driven than usual, but what plot there is, is fine. The "fairy tree" doesn't come up until halfway through the book, and it isn't clear whether the tree is actually magical. This is one that I think kids will either love or hate. It's really short because each chapter heading has its own page, but there aren't many pictures.
August 17, 2015
If you lived on Peek-a-Boo Island just off the coast of Maine, you would have to take a lobster boat to and from school every day until it was time to go to high school. Then you would have to leave the island and go to boarding school on the mainland.
Now it's the first day of school, and second grader Piper is missing her older brother Erik, who has just started boarding school. To feel closer to him, Piper decides to wear his old monkey earmuffs 24/7, even in school.
New teacher Ms. Arabella may look like a princess to her students, but, unfortunately for Piper, she has some very definite idea about where her students will sit in class and what they may or may not wear in school, and that includes monkey earmuffs. But when Piper refuses to take them off, she must stay in at recess and discovers when she get home, that a phone call to her parents has been made.
And even though they tell her no earmuffs in school, Piper is determined to keep them on and Erik close. The next morning on her way to the lobster boat, Piper decides she done with second grade. She decides to hide in a tree, and sitting on a branch, she watches as the lobster boat heads to school. But when things quiet done, Piper hears an odd sound - like the tree is crying.
While Piper is sitting in the tree, hearing it cry, along come neighbor Mrs. Pennypocket, who immediately knew what to do when she heard the tree crying - and it was just the solution to help Piper give up her earmuffs. As she saws off a small tree branch, Mrs. Pennypocket and Piper talk about how much Erik is missed and the reason for the earmuffs. But after the branch is off the tree, Piper finds two kittens, who had gotten stuck after the mother cat had hidden them in a hole in the tree. Mrs. Pennypocket tells Piper the tree is a fairy tree, one she has been searching for ever since her grandmother had told her about it. If you take a treasure from the tree, you must leave a treasure. Yup, that's right, Piper took two little kittens and left Erik's earmuffs, but not her feelings about missing him.
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree is a new early chapter book series with a sweet, spunky, but stubborn main character that young readers won't be able to resist and a setting that offers endless unique possibilities for more Piper Green stories.
Though the idea of having a magic tree in one's front yard is a lot if fun, the real problem in this first book of the series is that Erik was away at boarding school and Piper is missing him more than the people around her realize. Until Mrs. Pennypocket talked to her about her feelings, no one asked why she was wearing Erik''s earmuffs, not even her teacher, who just punished Piper by taking away recess.
Inked Black and white full page and spot illustrations by Qin Leng are scattered throughout the book adding a light, humorous touch to the story and serve as excellent visual cues to the action for young and beginning readers, like seeing Piper and her friend Jacob on the lobster boat instead of a school bus, but then seeing the familiar school yard and classroom.
There just aren't enough good early chapter books for kids, but fans of such classics as Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Bink and Gollie, and Amber Brown are sure to add Piper Green to this list of favorites.
This book is recommed for readers age 6+
This book was an EARC received from the author through NetGalley
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
Now it's the first day of school, and second grader Piper is missing her older brother Erik, who has just started boarding school. To feel closer to him, Piper decides to wear his old monkey earmuffs 24/7, even in school.
New teacher Ms. Arabella may look like a princess to her students, but, unfortunately for Piper, she has some very definite idea about where her students will sit in class and what they may or may not wear in school, and that includes monkey earmuffs. But when Piper refuses to take them off, she must stay in at recess and discovers when she get home, that a phone call to her parents has been made.
And even though they tell her no earmuffs in school, Piper is determined to keep them on and Erik close. The next morning on her way to the lobster boat, Piper decides she done with second grade. She decides to hide in a tree, and sitting on a branch, she watches as the lobster boat heads to school. But when things quiet done, Piper hears an odd sound - like the tree is crying.
While Piper is sitting in the tree, hearing it cry, along come neighbor Mrs. Pennypocket, who immediately knew what to do when she heard the tree crying - and it was just the solution to help Piper give up her earmuffs. As she saws off a small tree branch, Mrs. Pennypocket and Piper talk about how much Erik is missed and the reason for the earmuffs. But after the branch is off the tree, Piper finds two kittens, who had gotten stuck after the mother cat had hidden them in a hole in the tree. Mrs. Pennypocket tells Piper the tree is a fairy tree, one she has been searching for ever since her grandmother had told her about it. If you take a treasure from the tree, you must leave a treasure. Yup, that's right, Piper took two little kittens and left Erik's earmuffs, but not her feelings about missing him.
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree is a new early chapter book series with a sweet, spunky, but stubborn main character that young readers won't be able to resist and a setting that offers endless unique possibilities for more Piper Green stories.
Though the idea of having a magic tree in one's front yard is a lot if fun, the real problem in this first book of the series is that Erik was away at boarding school and Piper is missing him more than the people around her realize. Until Mrs. Pennypocket talked to her about her feelings, no one asked why she was wearing Erik''s earmuffs, not even her teacher, who just punished Piper by taking away recess.
Inked Black and white full page and spot illustrations by Qin Leng are scattered throughout the book adding a light, humorous touch to the story and serve as excellent visual cues to the action for young and beginning readers, like seeing Piper and her friend Jacob on the lobster boat instead of a school bus, but then seeing the familiar school yard and classroom.
There just aren't enough good early chapter books for kids, but fans of such classics as Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Bink and Gollie, and Amber Brown are sure to add Piper Green to this list of favorites.
This book is recommed for readers age 6+
This book was an EARC received from the author through NetGalley
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
March 14, 2015
A Bright, Spunky, Interesting Heroine
I first became aware of this book's author, Ellen Potter, a few years ago when I read her book "The Kneebone Boy". I was very much taken by that book. The narrator, one of three siblings, was charming, observant, generous and amusing. There was an awful lot of deadpan humor, and it was one of the few middle grade books I've read that could be described as "droll. Moreover, it was remarkably refreshing to have siblings who worked as a team, who forgave each other, and who rooted for each other.
All of that is the long way of getting around to my keen interest in this book. It is aimed at younger readers, but has a similar structure. I wondered - could the author catch lightning in a bottle a second time? For much younger readers? The answer here is "Yes".
Our heroine narrator is Piper Green, rising second grader. She lives with Mom and Dad and a younger brother in a tiny island fishing community off the coast of Maine, and she commutes to school, with a few other kids, on a lobster boat. The plot of this short book revolves around the fact that Piper misses her older brother, who has moved on to a mainland boarding high school, and stubbornly refuses to take off the silly earmuffs he gave her as a momento when he headed off-island. That might sound a bit slim, but we manage to touch on Piper's sadness, the opening of her first second grade school days, the consequences of her stubbornness, the challenge of change and growth, the kindness of neighbors, the gentle firmness of her parents, and the overall complexity of the world when seen through Piper's eyes.
She is stubborn, and a bit outspoken, has a temper and can be moody. But none of this is cutesy, excessive or added just for lazy effect. Piper seems authentic and real; she is crafted with just enough exaggeration and license to make her interesting and appealing as a character. Nothing is taken too far and the resolution of the various small dramas is satisfying and upbeat. (For what it's worth, the magical fairy tree angle is fanciful and imaginary; this is not a fairy/magic/little-witch book).
As you would expect, the book is technically well crafted. Vocabulary, grammar, syntax and the like are all correct and appropriate. There is a hint of puckish good humor in some of the dialogue, and in the sly and dead-on descriptions of some of the characters. Overall the book is fresh and the heroine engaging and bright. The story-telling is fast paced.
The upshot is that this strikes me as wonderful offering for a young reader who is moving beyond chapter books and is looking for interesting characters and settings, a bit of drama, and an overall flavor of generous good humor.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
I first became aware of this book's author, Ellen Potter, a few years ago when I read her book "The Kneebone Boy". I was very much taken by that book. The narrator, one of three siblings, was charming, observant, generous and amusing. There was an awful lot of deadpan humor, and it was one of the few middle grade books I've read that could be described as "droll. Moreover, it was remarkably refreshing to have siblings who worked as a team, who forgave each other, and who rooted for each other.
All of that is the long way of getting around to my keen interest in this book. It is aimed at younger readers, but has a similar structure. I wondered - could the author catch lightning in a bottle a second time? For much younger readers? The answer here is "Yes".
Our heroine narrator is Piper Green, rising second grader. She lives with Mom and Dad and a younger brother in a tiny island fishing community off the coast of Maine, and she commutes to school, with a few other kids, on a lobster boat. The plot of this short book revolves around the fact that Piper misses her older brother, who has moved on to a mainland boarding high school, and stubbornly refuses to take off the silly earmuffs he gave her as a momento when he headed off-island. That might sound a bit slim, but we manage to touch on Piper's sadness, the opening of her first second grade school days, the consequences of her stubbornness, the challenge of change and growth, the kindness of neighbors, the gentle firmness of her parents, and the overall complexity of the world when seen through Piper's eyes.
She is stubborn, and a bit outspoken, has a temper and can be moody. But none of this is cutesy, excessive or added just for lazy effect. Piper seems authentic and real; she is crafted with just enough exaggeration and license to make her interesting and appealing as a character. Nothing is taken too far and the resolution of the various small dramas is satisfying and upbeat. (For what it's worth, the magical fairy tree angle is fanciful and imaginary; this is not a fairy/magic/little-witch book).
As you would expect, the book is technically well crafted. Vocabulary, grammar, syntax and the like are all correct and appropriate. There is a hint of puckish good humor in some of the dialogue, and in the sly and dead-on descriptions of some of the characters. Overall the book is fresh and the heroine engaging and bright. The story-telling is fast paced.
The upshot is that this strikes me as wonderful offering for a young reader who is moving beyond chapter books and is looking for interesting characters and settings, a bit of drama, and an overall flavor of generous good humor.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
December 19, 2016
This is a review of books 1 and 2 of the Piper Green series.
Second grader Piper Green lives on Peek-a-Boo Island off the coast of Maine, and she takes a lobster boat to school each day. At home, she has a fairy tree, which her neighbor, Mrs. Pennypocket, claims will give Piper whatever she needs. In the first book, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree, Piper misses her older brother, who has moved to the mainland boarding school, so to feel close to him, she insists on wearing his earmuffs, even after her new teacher requests that she take them off. In the second book, Too Much Good Luck, Piper experiences four strokes of good luck in a row, which a friend tells her translates to very bad luck. Immediately, that bad luck begins as Piper learns that a new girl with allergies, Camilla, is joining her class, meaning that the classroom rabbit has to be removed. Piper blames Camilla for the loss of the class pet, and begins to take it out on her in unkind ways.
With its unique setting and hints of magic, this new series by Olivia Kidney author Ellen Potter brings a fresh voice to the world of beginning chapter books. Piper has much in common with beloved spunky heroines like Clementine, Amber Brown, and Judy Moody, but she is also very much a personality unto herself. Early elementary readers will relate to her big emotions and the ways she tries to cope with them, and they will enjoy the involvement of possible fairies in resolving each of her problems. These first two books of the series are both very quick reads, and they can easily appeal to kids as young as four or five, if they happen to be ready for chapter books. The author makes great use of believable and readable dialogue, which adds to the quick pace of the stories, and her descriptions of things like "doing a binky" (imitating a motion frequently made by the class rabbit) and the fog which sits "smack-plop" on top of the island add to the charming appeal of Piper's world.
Format-wise, the books are reminiscent of the Princess Posy series, in the sense that there are many visual elements to break up the text, including cover pages for each chapter.The full-page black-and-white illustrations which appear throughout the books help to contextualize each scene, and they capture visually the highs and lows of Piper's experiences. This welcoming layout of the books helps to combat any trepidation kids may have about transitioning into chapter books, and will help the series stand out on library and bookstore shelves.
Second grader Piper Green lives on Peek-a-Boo Island off the coast of Maine, and she takes a lobster boat to school each day. At home, she has a fairy tree, which her neighbor, Mrs. Pennypocket, claims will give Piper whatever she needs. In the first book, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree, Piper misses her older brother, who has moved to the mainland boarding school, so to feel close to him, she insists on wearing his earmuffs, even after her new teacher requests that she take them off. In the second book, Too Much Good Luck, Piper experiences four strokes of good luck in a row, which a friend tells her translates to very bad luck. Immediately, that bad luck begins as Piper learns that a new girl with allergies, Camilla, is joining her class, meaning that the classroom rabbit has to be removed. Piper blames Camilla for the loss of the class pet, and begins to take it out on her in unkind ways.
With its unique setting and hints of magic, this new series by Olivia Kidney author Ellen Potter brings a fresh voice to the world of beginning chapter books. Piper has much in common with beloved spunky heroines like Clementine, Amber Brown, and Judy Moody, but she is also very much a personality unto herself. Early elementary readers will relate to her big emotions and the ways she tries to cope with them, and they will enjoy the involvement of possible fairies in resolving each of her problems. These first two books of the series are both very quick reads, and they can easily appeal to kids as young as four or five, if they happen to be ready for chapter books. The author makes great use of believable and readable dialogue, which adds to the quick pace of the stories, and her descriptions of things like "doing a binky" (imitating a motion frequently made by the class rabbit) and the fog which sits "smack-plop" on top of the island add to the charming appeal of Piper's world.
Format-wise, the books are reminiscent of the Princess Posy series, in the sense that there are many visual elements to break up the text, including cover pages for each chapter.The full-page black-and-white illustrations which appear throughout the books help to contextualize each scene, and they capture visually the highs and lows of Piper's experiences. This welcoming layout of the books helps to combat any trepidation kids may have about transitioning into chapter books, and will help the series stand out on library and bookstore shelves.
September 18, 2017
Piper Green is a second grader who lives on tiny Peek-a-Boo Island. Because there are only 8 kids who live on the island, she has to take a lobster boat to a small, mixed-grade school on the mainland. Her school year gets off to a rough start when her new teacher, Ms. Arabella demands that Piper remove her earmuffs. The earmuffs provide Piper with comfort because they remind her of her older brother, who recently moved to the mainland for school. Soon, Piper pretends to be sick to avoid school. Piper climbs a tree to hide from her mom and soon notices the tree is making strange noises. When a neighbor named Mrs. Pennypocket walks by, she helps Piper discover something magical about the tree.
This is the first in a series of Piper Green and the Fairy Tree short chapter books. It’s a fun story with a unique setting that will be a simple introduction to adventure stories for very young readers.
Activity: 5 Questions:
1. Piper Green rides a lobster boat to school every day. Compare and contrast how you get to school vs. how Piper gets to school. What would be different? What would be the same? Which would you prefer and why?
2. Imagine you had a fairy tree. What would you leave inside it? What would it leave for you?
3. Piper Green and the Fairy Tree is a series of books. Predict what you think will happen in the next book?
4. Mrs. Arabella has Piper’s classroom make a class dictionary of each person’s name, height and favorite things. Describe what your entry into the class dictionary would include?
5. Piper wears her older brother’s earmuffs for comfort. Describe things that remind you of your brother, sister or best friend, and why they remind you of them?
Reference:
Potter, E. (2015). Piper Green and the fairy tree. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
This is the first in a series of Piper Green and the Fairy Tree short chapter books. It’s a fun story with a unique setting that will be a simple introduction to adventure stories for very young readers.
Activity: 5 Questions:
1. Piper Green rides a lobster boat to school every day. Compare and contrast how you get to school vs. how Piper gets to school. What would be different? What would be the same? Which would you prefer and why?
2. Imagine you had a fairy tree. What would you leave inside it? What would it leave for you?
3. Piper Green and the Fairy Tree is a series of books. Predict what you think will happen in the next book?
4. Mrs. Arabella has Piper’s classroom make a class dictionary of each person’s name, height and favorite things. Describe what your entry into the class dictionary would include?
5. Piper wears her older brother’s earmuffs for comfort. Describe things that remind you of your brother, sister or best friend, and why they remind you of them?
Reference:
Potter, E. (2015). Piper Green and the fairy tree. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
July 10, 2015
Piper Green lives on a remote island off the coast of Maine. When her brother goes away to boarding school, all she has left of him are his earmuffs. She's determined to keep them on day and night, no matter what her parents, friends, and brand new teacher say. But when she discovers a magic tree that requires gifts in order to give favors of its own, she has a choice to make.
This is a sweet start to a new series. The unusual setting is fascinating and very fun to talk about with my five-year-old. Piper is spunky enough to have personality, but not outright bratty. The pictures are adorable and provide a nice accompaniment for the text. This makes a great read-aloud; as soon as my daughter and I finished the sequel, she wanted to go back immediately and reread both. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
This is a sweet start to a new series. The unusual setting is fascinating and very fun to talk about with my five-year-old. Piper is spunky enough to have personality, but not outright bratty. The pictures are adorable and provide a nice accompaniment for the text. This makes a great read-aloud; as soon as my daughter and I finished the sequel, she wanted to go back immediately and reread both. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
July 19, 2018
OK but I don't like how she talks back to the teacher, I don't like recommending books when the kid is disrespectful and that's how I felt early on, with her not taking off the earmuffs and how brazen she seemed. I also didn't like the hiding in the tree. I guess this is a trend nowadays, and I know it goes back to PippiLongstockin days...why do writers need to make the kid so brazen in order to get their point across? I'm a teacher, maybe that's why I read it this way. Oh well, no I won't be buying this for my class.
December 19, 2019
Read aloud to Gwen. This was a short, one sitting early reader for us. We didn’t like it as much as the Kitty series, but we will check out the next one. The illustrations are really sweet and the setting is fun, especially with the map at the beginning. But the first half of the book was not engaging or clear. The second half turned things around for us. The writing isn’t anything special, but I think the main character going to be a solid one for us. (Update: read the first chapter of book two and set it aside. Too many good books to read lame ones)
January 9, 2017
Piper Green is in 2nd grade, her younger brother Leo is married to a piece of paper named Michelle and has sticky-note kids, and her older brother Erik, now in high school, spends his week on the mainland to go to high school. They live on a small island off Camden, Maine, and dad is a lobster fisherman. The kids ride a lobster boat to a nearby island to school Piper has a mind of her own...and the story is sweet and quite delightful.
May 21, 2019
This reminds me of Ramona Quimby. She is young and impulsive. She has good intentions, and doesn't know how to get grown ups to understand her. It was a cute story, with some issues that will need discussion as young readers come to know Piper Green.
Every 2nd grader has times when they are not obedient. Piper is no different. The story that comes from her disobedience is honest and true to her age. Nobody understands her...except maybe Mrs. Pennypocket.
Every 2nd grader has times when they are not obedient. Piper is no different. The story that comes from her disobedience is honest and true to her age. Nobody understands her...except maybe Mrs. Pennypocket.
September 26, 2015
Another great early chapter book that I will be adding to my class library. Looks like it will be a series. We need more of these early or transitional chapter books that are well written with interesting characters! Terrific for second or third grade independent readers.
August 21, 2015
Quirky and cute. Really fun early chapter book!
November 27, 2020
Buy Piper Green and the Fairy Tree for all young readers with confidence
I admire children's book authors for their ability to climb into the mindset of a child and relate an important life-lesson to them with words and images that burn happy memories into their brains forever.
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree written by Ellen Potter and illustrated by Qin Leng is an early-readers chapter book released on audio by Live Oak Media in September 2020. It is narrated by Tavia Gilber, who does a charming job bringing the voice of young Piper to life.
Piper Green is starting second grade. She lives on an island, rides a ferryboat to school, has a special shield to ward off irritating boys, and thinks her new teacher has glorious wavy blonde princess hair.
Piper thinks second grade is going to be the best year ever, even though it's the first year her beloved big brother has moved away from home and into a boarding school dormitory.
But when Piper arrives on her first day of school and learns her princess teacher wants her to remove the monkey ear muffs her big brother just gave her, Piper realizes second grade is going to be the worst year of her life.
This darling early-reader chapter book is a fabulous find for school and home, libraries and even listening to on audio while riding in the car with mom or dad.
Potter does a wonderful job executing this touching story of a little girl, her big brother, and the lesson of relinquishing something very special.
My eight-year-old granddaughter and seven-year-old grandson would love this book, which they would blaze through during reading time or after school. Both young readers would have no trouble relating to Piper or her story in this touching tale.
Let me throw in one personal note, reader:
From the time our three girls could sit in our laps, my husband and I shared our love for imagination and story. Our weekly visits to the public library's storytime were an invaluable contribution to their lives. Our girls grew to be well-spoken, well-read adults, blessed to offer the world an enhanced version of themselves.
Books like Piper Green and the Fairy Tree truly need to be in every child's hands, whether it is physical, digital, or filling their young ears with love and wonder while listening to audio in the car. Children need to be exposed to story at their level in a way that they are enabled to enjoy the whimsey and melody of childhood and fall in love with a lifetime of reading.
My true and intense desire is to see stories by this author, and many others, form the backbone of happy memories for your children and grandchildren for many years to come. Piper Green, and her series of chapter books will most certainly contribute to my dream.
I admire children's book authors for their ability to climb into the mindset of a child and relate an important life-lesson to them with words and images that burn happy memories into their brains forever.
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree written by Ellen Potter and illustrated by Qin Leng is an early-readers chapter book released on audio by Live Oak Media in September 2020. It is narrated by Tavia Gilber, who does a charming job bringing the voice of young Piper to life.
Piper Green is starting second grade. She lives on an island, rides a ferryboat to school, has a special shield to ward off irritating boys, and thinks her new teacher has glorious wavy blonde princess hair.
Piper thinks second grade is going to be the best year ever, even though it's the first year her beloved big brother has moved away from home and into a boarding school dormitory.
But when Piper arrives on her first day of school and learns her princess teacher wants her to remove the monkey ear muffs her big brother just gave her, Piper realizes second grade is going to be the worst year of her life.
This darling early-reader chapter book is a fabulous find for school and home, libraries and even listening to on audio while riding in the car with mom or dad.
Potter does a wonderful job executing this touching story of a little girl, her big brother, and the lesson of relinquishing something very special.
My eight-year-old granddaughter and seven-year-old grandson would love this book, which they would blaze through during reading time or after school. Both young readers would have no trouble relating to Piper or her story in this touching tale.
Let me throw in one personal note, reader:
From the time our three girls could sit in our laps, my husband and I shared our love for imagination and story. Our weekly visits to the public library's storytime were an invaluable contribution to their lives. Our girls grew to be well-spoken, well-read adults, blessed to offer the world an enhanced version of themselves.
Books like Piper Green and the Fairy Tree truly need to be in every child's hands, whether it is physical, digital, or filling their young ears with love and wonder while listening to audio in the car. Children need to be exposed to story at their level in a way that they are enabled to enjoy the whimsey and melody of childhood and fall in love with a lifetime of reading.
My true and intense desire is to see stories by this author, and many others, form the backbone of happy memories for your children and grandchildren for many years to come. Piper Green, and her series of chapter books will most certainly contribute to my dream.
October 8, 2020
My Rating: 3 Stars
Piper Green: noun. Spunky and big-hearted female 2nd grader who misses her 14-year-old brother terribly. She manifests this ache in her heart by insisting on wearing green monkey earmuffs and playing hooky from school. After some misadventures, all is made right in the end.
I just have to say, Tavia Gilbert does a phenomenal job narrating this book. She really brings the book to life and makes it interesting. Her voices for each character are so distinct, I actually listened to parts of the book over again specifically to figure out if there really was just one person narrating the book or if there was a full cast that, for whatever reason, wasn’t listed in the credits. Her voices for each character really are that distinct from one another! It blew me away. Her voice for Piper Green is mildly nasal-y, but not unbearable. She also nails the voice inflections for the unsure-but-determined Piper and the Eastern accents for the adults in the book. From my perspective, Tavia Gilbert makes the book.
My kids listened to this book with me and loved it so much they wanted to listen to it several times over again (It’s only about 45 minutes in length from start to finish). The plot, while entertaining for my 3- and 5-year old, didn’t impress me too much. There is arguably no resolution to the conflict and the story ends abruptly. However, Tavia Gilbert’s expert reading makes up for this.
On a more positive note, the content in this book was 100% family-friendly, which I love. There were messages of respect for adults, strong family bonds, and a strong sense of community on the little fishing island where Piper and her family live. There was absolutely no crude language--not even the unsavory toilet humor in so much of today’s juvenile literature (Huzzah!).
If you’re looking for a short listen for the whole family, this audiobook may be for you. Don’t expect anything profound from the plot, but do anticipate having an entertaining narrator.
Content Guide:
Sex & Affection--None
Language--None (Not even crude humor!)
Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Use--None
Violence & Crime--A girl skips school, her parents speak to her in stern tones but nothing approaching violence or abuse of any kind.
Piper Green: noun. Spunky and big-hearted female 2nd grader who misses her 14-year-old brother terribly. She manifests this ache in her heart by insisting on wearing green monkey earmuffs and playing hooky from school. After some misadventures, all is made right in the end.
I just have to say, Tavia Gilbert does a phenomenal job narrating this book. She really brings the book to life and makes it interesting. Her voices for each character are so distinct, I actually listened to parts of the book over again specifically to figure out if there really was just one person narrating the book or if there was a full cast that, for whatever reason, wasn’t listed in the credits. Her voices for each character really are that distinct from one another! It blew me away. Her voice for Piper Green is mildly nasal-y, but not unbearable. She also nails the voice inflections for the unsure-but-determined Piper and the Eastern accents for the adults in the book. From my perspective, Tavia Gilbert makes the book.
My kids listened to this book with me and loved it so much they wanted to listen to it several times over again (It’s only about 45 minutes in length from start to finish). The plot, while entertaining for my 3- and 5-year old, didn’t impress me too much. There is arguably no resolution to the conflict and the story ends abruptly. However, Tavia Gilbert’s expert reading makes up for this.
On a more positive note, the content in this book was 100% family-friendly, which I love. There were messages of respect for adults, strong family bonds, and a strong sense of community on the little fishing island where Piper and her family live. There was absolutely no crude language--not even the unsavory toilet humor in so much of today’s juvenile literature (Huzzah!).
If you’re looking for a short listen for the whole family, this audiobook may be for you. Don’t expect anything profound from the plot, but do anticipate having an entertaining narrator.
Content Guide:
Sex & Affection--None
Language--None (Not even crude humor!)
Drugs, Alcohol, & Substance Use--None
Violence & Crime--A girl skips school, her parents speak to her in stern tones but nothing approaching violence or abuse of any kind.
January 30, 2021
Island Life & Missing a Family Member
Audiobook Review:
I was surprised at how enchanted I was by this book. First, I really enjoyed the narrator. She sounded very childlike herself but was able to give both the adult and child characters different and appropriate voices. Second, I thought the setting was great because it was so unusual. Piper lives on a remote island with her family—except her older brother who has newly had to go to the mainland for school—and the author does a superb job showing how life is very different in such a place. The book is just a sliver of life, the first days of the new school year. Piper is expecting it to go well, but she clashes with the new teacher on several fronts, the main one because she does not want to give up wearing her older brother's earmuffs, even at school. I found it sweet and touching that she wanted to keep that little piece of her brother with her always, even though it appeared they had the typical sibling squabbles. As an audiobook, this is a relatively quick listen, under an hour, but it feeds the imagination as it takes you to an unusual place, depicting a life that few live, but shows struggles relatable and understandable by kids anywhere.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Audiobook Review:
I was surprised at how enchanted I was by this book. First, I really enjoyed the narrator. She sounded very childlike herself but was able to give both the adult and child characters different and appropriate voices. Second, I thought the setting was great because it was so unusual. Piper lives on a remote island with her family—except her older brother who has newly had to go to the mainland for school—and the author does a superb job showing how life is very different in such a place. The book is just a sliver of life, the first days of the new school year. Piper is expecting it to go well, but she clashes with the new teacher on several fronts, the main one because she does not want to give up wearing her older brother's earmuffs, even at school. I found it sweet and touching that she wanted to keep that little piece of her brother with her always, even though it appeared they had the typical sibling squabbles. As an audiobook, this is a relatively quick listen, under an hour, but it feeds the imagination as it takes you to an unusual place, depicting a life that few live, but shows struggles relatable and understandable by kids anywhere.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
November 10, 2020
This is a delightful beginning readers chapter book!
I loved Piper. She is a charming character and very open about her thoughts and feelings. She is dealing with a difficult change at home. No one seems to understand though. I thoroughly enjoyed how she learned to adjust to it.
The narrator did a wonderful job. The wide variety of voices she used really made the story come to life. I am amazed that she not only changed from men to women, but also from adults to children.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I loved Piper. She is a charming character and very open about her thoughts and feelings. She is dealing with a difficult change at home. No one seems to understand though. I thoroughly enjoyed how she learned to adjust to it.
The narrator did a wonderful job. The wide variety of voices she used really made the story come to life. I am amazed that she not only changed from men to women, but also from adults to children.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
November 24, 2020
Piper Green and the Fairy Tree is book one of a wonderful new series for primary readers. There is a hint of magic at the fairy tree and Piper Green is introduced to this magic in such a mysterious way. On day two of second grade, Piper fails to show up for school. She gets into a heap of trouble and is lucky to have the fairy tree to help her out!
The audio version, storytold by Tavia Gilbert, is sheer delight! Tavia's voice is enthusiastic and enticing - listeners will be rooting for Piper in every situation! Children will surely want to hear this story over and over again.
Three things you should know about Piper:
1. She just might tell you what she thinks of you.
2. She lives in a close knit community!
3. She is adventuresome.
All of this makes for a fun-loving series of chapter books!
The audio version, storytold by Tavia Gilbert, is sheer delight! Tavia's voice is enthusiastic and enticing - listeners will be rooting for Piper in every situation! Children will surely want to hear this story over and over again.
Three things you should know about Piper:
1. She just might tell you what she thinks of you.
2. She lives in a close knit community!
3. She is adventuresome.
All of this makes for a fun-loving series of chapter books!
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