"Autumn in a Magic Forest" is an enchanting blend of adventure and moral lessons. Unlike typical fantasy stories, it emphasises not only the excitement of exploration, but also the importance of interpersonal relationships.
The diverse cast of magical creatures, each with their own personalities and abilities, adds depth and intrigue to the story.
Autumn's journey serves as a metaphor for personal growth as she learns valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, courtesy and empathy from her newfound companions.
"Autumn in a Magic Forest" is a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of imagination. Through its captivating storytelling and vibrant characters, it will inspire readers of all ages to embrace the magic that surrounds them and to cherish the connections that enrich their lives.
"Autumn in a Magic Forest" is an enchanting blend of adventure and moral lessons. Unlike typical fantasy stories, it emphasises not only the excitement of exploration, but also the importance of interpersonal relationships.
The diverse cast of magical creatures, each with their own personalities and abilities, adds depth and intrigue to the story.
Autumn's journey serves as a metaphor for personal growth as she learns valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, courtesy and empathy from her newfound companions.
"Autumn in a Magic Forest" is a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of imagination. Through its captivating storytelling and vibrant characters, it will inspire readers of all ages to embrace the magic that surrounds them and to cherish the connections that enrich their lives.
This summer, just as every summer, a girl called Autumn came to the village to visit her grandmother.
Every year, the whole family comes here for the summer holidays.
And at last, Autumn has grown up and is old enough to go out on her own.
It was still two hours before lunchtime, and the girl decided to ask to go for a walk near the forest, where there were huge old trees.
She had only been allowed to go there with adults before, but now she could go there unsupervised.
Mum allowed her to go but asked her not to go too far so that she wouldn't get lost and would be back in time for the plum pie, which Grandma makes more delicious than anything else in the world.
Autumn went outside the wicket. The sun was warming up, birds were singing in the trees, and the girl ran happily towards the forest.
In the shadows of the forest, she stopped and looked around. Nearby, two large trees had their trunks intricately joined to form a hollow. The girl stepped closer. The hollow was as big as she was.
“How awesome,” she thought and looked inside.
It was quiet and smelled of fallen leaves.
The hollow was larger than it looked from the outside, and the roots created a strange labyrinth.
“Amazing!” Autumn thought as she stepped inside, “I've never seen anything like this before. I wonder if there is an exit on the other side?” She went into the light that was coming from the opposite side of the labyrinth.
The hole in the hollow was much smaller here, but if she ducked down a little and pulled her belly in, she could squeeze through.
Clutching her dress tighter so it wouldn't cling to the bark, Autumn climbed out.
The forest was much darker on this side.
“That's because of the thicker trees,” Autumn thought and looked up.
But no, it wasn't the trees...
This is a sweet and gentle story about a little girl and her dog who discover the true meaning of friendship when they enter a magic forest.
Autumn Merryweather goes for a walk near a forest and finds an intricate hollow with a strange labyrinth. Once inside, Autumn meets a Mushroom Fairy-Man. Then it seems the hollow in the tree where Autumn entered has suddenly disappeared. Eager to get home to her grandmother’s plum pie, Autumn must find a way out of the forest. “Mushroomy” suggests getting advice from the Wise Willow. So Autumn, her little dog Maple-Leaf, and “Mushroomy” set out to find the Wise Willow, an “eccentric” who gives advice in verse form.
The trio encounters various dangers and adventures along the way. Autumn also learns about how fairies monitor the health of the forest and mushroom fairies and flower fairies. Young readers will also learn about ecosystems, vitamin D, and sunlight. Will Autumn and her companions be able to figure out the Wise Willow’s advice and return home in time for grandmother’s plum pie?
This is a charming story that imparts gentle lessons about creativity, imagination, and true friendship. It’s both educational and entertaining. There’s plenty of action and adventure to keep young readers engaged. The illustrations are especially well done, complementing the text with rich, vibrant colors that will delight young readers. The characterizations are also robust and well-rounded. Mushroomy reminded me a bit of Mr. Tumnus of Narnia fame.
A little The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and a bit Alice in Wonderland, Autumn in a Magic Forest ably draws readers into a world of enchantment and imagination as it gently imparts valuable life lessons. It's age-appropriate vocabulary and brief chapters will also appeal to young readers. It would make a welcome addition to any home or classroom library as well as a good choice for a read-aloud or a bedtime story.