Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories

by D.L. Finn

When reality and magic meet in the forest

It’s 1969, and twelve-year-old Daniel Burns is camping in the redwood forest with his family. Danny wants to listen to his music and read, but his family has other plans. S’mores around the campfire and stories end their first day. The family is sleeping soundly in their secluded tent when Danny wakes up and finds his sister, Colette, is missing. Assuming she went to use the outhouse, he goes after her. When he finds his sister, they discover there is a thin veil between reality and fantasy. Two bonus short stories offer a glimpse into the magical world that finds Danny and Colette. These hidden beings not only share our world but have a role in protecting their forest.

Genres: Fantasy

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2021

About the author

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her. You can learn more about Ms. Finn at her website: www.dlfinnauthor.com , or email her at: d.l.finn.author@gmail.com

Reviews

[Chris Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this middle grade book, we have three delightful little stories which combine nature, fantasy and environmentalism. Cleverly woven together, we follow the main character, David from his first encounter with some tree fairies while camping with his family as a child, through to adulthood where his exposure to the fairies and the 'Wise Trees' of the forest has had a big impact on his future career. We meet the tree fairies again in the later stories, and discover that there are rude city fairies who have grown away from their forest 'roots'.

Taken together, this is a charming little collection of magical tales which have an important message about our loss of connection to nature and the wanton destruction of our precious environment. Although aimed at a middle grade audience, this book is sure to have a wider appeal to lovers of fairies, fantasy and nature.

[Alex Craigie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book.
Daniel and his sister Colette come across the ancient wood-dwelling fairies when lost one night. From that point the lives of the fairies and the human family are connected.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but this is a magical tale in every sense of the word. The descriptions of the lives of the fairies are beautifully done and they are distinctive characters in their own right.
The humans become more aware of the disconnection between people and nature and both sides come together in fights against common evils over the course of many years.
I loved the lyrical language and the connection the author made me feel with the natural world:
“My body’s rhythm pulsated with nature’s song as the forest came to life and became the very heartbeat within me. How could we recover what was lost when no one knew it was missing?”
This has jeopardy, mysticism, a huge feel-good factor and a sense of fun. It also has wise and heroic trees – what more could you ask for?
Perfect for children, and this adult loved it too.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a whimsical story that enchants from beginning to end, weaving the lives of humans, trees, and fairies in an imaginative adventure that is part fanciful fun and part environmental teaching. The main character, Daniel, goes from child to adult over the course of the novel, plus the reader sees the progression of lives for several fairies and their families. Both human and fairy timelines intertwine in perfect symmetry.

I loved the magical feel of the story, the glitter and enchantment of disappearing into a forest where trees talk and impart wisdom, and fairies watch over animals. The reader learns about trees, fishers, owls, and martens as well as the danger environmental issues bring. There are bad guys and good guys and plenty of magic. Although the main audience for this book is middle grade and above, adults will find the beautiful descriptions and heart-warming story a bewitching journey.

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Ellie and I'm 14. I was looking for a book to read and the title of this one caught my eye. I've had fairies "on the brain" lately. My dad was recently painting a fairy picture for my sister's bedroom and he'd been asking for my opinion and input as he went along [like...a lot]. This was a fun read for many reasons. First, it was 3 stories in one, so it seemed to go really fast and it held my interest. I liked that the 3 stories were connected so I didn't have to learn new characters for each one, but each story was in a different time period and from different points of view. I think the 1st one was from the time of, like, when my mom was a kid, because it talked about a portable radio. I've only ever had Spotify on my phone, so it was weird to think about taking a portable radio to the forest. I liked the poetry that was included, too. I like poetry and I don't think I've ever read a book with that included before. Most of all, though, I liked the environmentalist theme/moral of the story. I liked that it showed that - while there were bad-acting humans - it wasn't just a story of fairies against the humans. The fairies worked WITH humans to protect the forest. I liked how much the fairies were like regular people, too; it made it really easy to relate to them. And I liked that it showed that something like caring for the forests isn't something that is done just once or in a single action. It's something that you have to work on together for years for it to work. The trees in the stories were truly wise to know that!

[D.G. Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn takes us into a fantasy world of fairies and humans working together to save the forest. Danny and and his sister Collette and his parents go camping 1969, one night while Colette sleepwalks into the forest, Danny noticed her gone and goes to find her. It's outside at night they meet the fairies - the protectors of the forest. The fairies know Danny's mother is a writer and ask if she could write a book to help save the forest. The Wise Old Trees offer help with their wisdom.

The book consists of three parts, three continuing stories. The next generation - Danny and Colette and their kids go camping in the same forest in 1990 and learn about some baddies dumping barrels of waste in the forest. Danny, now a writer with his kids Wren and Sierra, and Colette, now a movie director, come back to the forest to visit the fairies and wise trees and to take care of bad business happening to nature. Mom is still writing and dad is retired and they are both living off the grid.

The three stories are linked and all have the same characters as not to confuse young readers. It deals with different issues, from clear cutting, to stopping toxic waste dumping, to catching and sending away poachers, all while offering entertaining fantasy characters from the forest, yet teaching life lessons on the importance of working to keep the environment clean and sustainable, demonstrating humans working together with the fairies to help save the forest.

The author has a wonderful way of weaving a magical story with real life issues and lessons the children learn about nature and the environment from the fairies and trees.

[Yvette Calleiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fantasy stories that focus on nature, and this one is great! The story is told from the children's point of view, which is lovely because you see their innocence and openness to magic and possibilities. The author does a wonderful job in making each character's personality unique. Danny and Colette's adventure with the tree fairies is very well-written. I imagined being there every step of the way. I felt their fear and apprehension when they were lost and then their wonder when they discovered the fairies. I loved how the fairies brought them into their fold and how they created a bond to work together. (I won't give away how.)

Then, in the short story, the author created such colorful characters in her fairies, and I love how different the city fairies and the tree fairies are. I also enjoyed their interactions with the humans. The author shows both the positive and negative attributes of humans through her characters, which is wonderful for discussions with children after reading.

She weaves great lessons throughout the stories. The plot never has a dull moment. I would definitely recommend this book to believers of all ages. :-)

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.L. Finn has a wonderful way of creating magical worlds that both enchant and educate. Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories is written for youngsters, but it quickly found a home in my heart as well. To sidestep reality for several hours was refreshing. I enjoyed seeing from a fairy's perspective and I loved wandering around the trees and experiencing their life as well. Through fantasy, Finn conveys truths we all need to embrace - the need to protect our forests, to care for the wildlife, and the need to respect and honor the exquisite beauty of nature. Who knows, maybe there are fairies.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed getting to know this author and her writing style through social media, so I knew I was in for a treat when I read Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories. Author D.L. Finn introduced me to an enchanting and magical world, one that I hadn’t experienced in decades. Although classified as a Middle Grade level read, this book carries a beautiful message for young and old alike. This book came at a perfect time when I needed an escape and a little magic. It was a delightful read!

[M.J. Mallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel and Colette are holidaying in the redwood forest when they discover some real fairies! This is a sweet, magical tale with an important message to impart about how important it is for us to look after our world, recycle, nurture and not be greedy like poachers (and other uncaring people,) who have no respect for nature, or the damage they can do to the natural world by their carelessness.

There are lovely descriptive passages as well as engaging dialogues of the fairies, wise talking trees, and dragonfly. And an amusing section with a kingfisher!

I particularly loved the parts with the trees (and dragonfly,) as I love redwood trees and dragonflies! Redwoods are such spectacular trees and have a special magical quality.

This is a lovely short tale with a considerable amount to say in a short magical narrative.

And there is also a lovely poem - The Little Fairies - at the beginning which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Rox Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s method of writing. She never disappoints a reader. Author D.L. Finn offers us a fantasy world where fairies and humans help each other. The three stories are from different points of view as well as multiple points in time. The evolution of time and space permits the reader to continue with the characters as they grow. The sights, sounds, smells, and visuals of the forest, creeks, fairies, and people convey delightful details that pulled me into the tale.

The writing is easy enough for the middle school target reader but enjoyable at any age. I enjoyed the realization for Danny and Collette as the fairies reach out to assist the youths in getting back safely to their campsite. I believe this small snippet will captivate you.

“Of course they do, Danny. They know everything. They’re magical, right?”
Colette grinned at the being in front of us. The fairy’s long, black hair hung past her waist. A moonbeam caught the curly tresses and made them shine with colors only found in a rainbow. She wore a dress that looked like it had been patterned after a butterfly. Her delicate wings reminded me of a shooting star racing across a warm summer night. She was tiny, yet perfectly formed.
I’d never seen or imagined anything like this before. The biggest difference between her and us, besides size, was her wings. What really blew my mind was I’d seen her in my dreams like Colette had. I was positive she meant us no harm.
The fairy slowly nodded. “Yes, in human terms, we are magical, Colette. You remember meeting us in your dreams?”

The protection of the redwoods becomes a shared task between the fairies and the people. The shared commitment allows the continued protection between the worlds. Sadly, it also illustrates that not all people take care of the forest or respect the inhabitants.

I enjoyed the poem early in the story and felt it set the tone of awareness. Bringing this message to young people encourages them to appreciate the world around them. We have hidden gems of magic that we only need to discover then adopt. I highly recommend this story to those who want to connect to their inner child.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the redwood forest, the tree fairies and their human friends are tasked with protecting the woodlands and it’s creatures. They have the help of the Wise Trees who’ve watched over the land for thousands of years. In many ways, this middle-grade book is about real environmental threats, all crafted into age-appropriate and magical stories.

The three tales are connected, sharing the same characters, and each one addresses a different danger to the natural world. “Tree Fairies” introduces the forest fairies and kicks off their relationship with young Daniel and his human family who will save the land from clear cutting. “Roselle” addresses the illegal dumping of toxic waste. And in “Goldie,” the fairies drive off a pair of poachers.

There’s plenty of magic in the books and activities that middle-grade kids will relate to such as fairy school, writing papers, listening to parents, and standing up to bullying by the “city fairies” who’ve lost touch with nature. A fun read for kids who enjoy magical tales while learning about the importance of protecting the old forests.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed everything I've read from this author and this book is no exception. The author has a unique talent for making you stop and think, "What if?" In this book about the tree fairies and the ancient Redwood trees, we find an ordinary family with an extraordinary connection to nature on a camping trip. What happens to the children first, then to the adults is both heartwarming and magical. The family is given a mission to save the beautiful Redwood forest from destruction. The author takes us years ahead and we find the two children, Daniel and Colette grown, married, and with children of their own. The tree fairies visit again and the connection is forged between the human and fairy families. The two short stories following, are in two different fairies' POV and are delightful as well. This book is classified as a Middle School level, but at almost seventy, I thoroughly enjoyed it, so it is a wonderful read for all ages! If you love magic, nature, and fantasy all combined into a lovely heartwarming story, you will love this book! I highly recommend it.

[Sandra Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a warm, wonderful tale about humans whose world intersects with fairies, when two children—Danny and Colette—discover and are drawn into the world of tree fairies. What’s really special about this book is the emphasis on the environment and the creatures of the wild, and the lesson that protecting both is a trust we are called upon to honor. Another treat in this story is that it includes one of D. L. Finn’s delicious poems. It entwines perfectly with the story. A lovely read for children and adults alike.

[Luanne Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.L. Finn's middle-grade short story collection, "Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories," is a charming read. I think young children would be able to understand, as well, and this adult reader certainly loved it. The tree fairy world that Finn has created is delightful, the characters--both fairy and human--are well-drawn, and the environmentalism that underlies the book is important to the health of humans, animals, and our planet. I'm so glad I read this book, and in my imagination I can still see the fairies flying in the forest and visiting the Wise Trees!

[Balroop Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories by D.L. Finn transports you to the land of fantasy, where Danny and Colette meet fairies and discover the realities connected with them. Finn’s description of fairies is so mesmerizing that you wish to visit their world and see them talking to the Redwoods.

Fairies have always allured me but these tree fairies hold a special charm because they have names, could make fire and know why humans lost their ability to talk to giant redwoods. The way they converse about the environment and make Danny feel special immediately makes you concentrate on their stories. I am sure children would be able to connect with Sequiella.

Finn’s style and tone is amiable, her language is simple and she starts the story quickly to hold the attention of children. The book is written in first person to lend reality to the problem that the fairies want to convey. You don’t even know when fantasy merges into realities of the day. It is a delightful way to acquaint children with the need to save our forests. Highly recommended.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is noted to be for middle-grade readers, but adults will appreciate the story just as much. Of course, those of us with an imagination and creative minds know that fairies exist, and Finn shows how their existence can guide humans to love and appreciate and take care of an important part of our Universe - the trees, and in particular in this book - the Redwoods. Sweet, enchanting tale that reminds child and adult alike to believe in the magic of stewardship of our forests.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one loves fantasy, tales, magic, and the world of imagination, then this is the book to read. Though it was written as a children's book, I read it with my 80-year-old eyes and brain, enjoying every page. Are there fairies? I hope so...I want to think so. This story takes place in a redwood forest and is about how two children try to save it from destruction. The message is a powerful one from which we humans can all learn.

Thank you, Ms. Finn, for an enjoyable read.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The veil between fantasy and reality meld in this innovating children’s tale!

A camping trip to the redwood forest brings a surprise visit from fairies to the young Burns children. They are desperate to save their home from a vengeful landowner and believe Daniel and his mom are the answer to a prayer.

Along the way, they teach the children to appreciate the woods and all living creatures.

The author couches real world issues into a relatable tale children can enjoy. We learn through the fairies the threat of clear-cutting, poachers, and toxic waste, and how we must all work together to save our planet.

While geared to middle-age children, Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories is enjoyable at any age!

[Sally Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely set of three stories that introduce us to two children whose camping adventure would lead to a discovery of ancient wisdom and the need to participate in a life long guardianship of a wonderful forest.

Not everyone believes in fairies, but even those who are sceptical, will find themselves engaging with the magical cast of characters the author has created.

There are parallels in the history of the fairies, to the way humans have split from the old ways to seek their fortunes in the cities. Those who left the forest generations before, have lost the respect and appreciation of the power of nature and its gifts.

The stories span several years, the involvement of the two children and their family, and their close relationship with the fairies over generations is heartwarming.

With the threat of an ecological disaster, ancient wisdom, magic and modern technology must combine to save the forest.

The stories will enchant children and young teens and even oldies who like to be reminded of childhood fairy and adventure stories.

[Marlena Smith-Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved so many things about this book, I’m not sure where to start. It might be a new favorite by the author.

There were some excellent pop culture references, like to music and books and even Bugs Bunny. I loved the characters and enjoyed reading the story from different points of view as their lives progressed. Both humans and fairies. That was such a lovely touch because there’s a big difference between the two and the way they see the world. There’s a sweetness shared between the characters, especially the siblings. It pulls at your heartstrings. I suppose I should add it wasn’t all grand and wonderful. We experience some scary moments, and moments that make you mad.

For parts of the story, it was like I was reliving my childhood. All the magic we used to believe in before the real world set in. I like to think that there really is magic around us. With the beautiful descriptions the author provides, you can’t help but imagine the story as it unfolds.

[Colleen Chesebro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with two children, Daniel and Colette, on vacation in the redwood forest, where they meet a community of fairies, including the mystical tree fairies. As I read, I let my imagination run wild. I felt like a kid again!

The fairies have human characteristics, so kids will quickly connect with these magical beings. I know I did! There are several lessons to learn, such as taking care of our world, recycling, and how to show respect for nature. The stories emphasize the connectivity between nature and humans.

The world building made me feel like I could reach out and touch the magic in the forest. The dialogue will have you chuckling at the cleverness of the kids. This is a sweet tale for young children (and older Nana’s too).