A Tent in the Forest (Paperback)

A Tent in the Forest is a chapter book about Pipsissewa, a two-inch tall fairy. It is suitable for reading aloud to pre-schoolers but is appropriate for all ages, elementary school and up. The story blends fantasy and realism; fairies are given scientific names of wildflowers and a glossary includes illustrations from the story. The book contains information about plants, animals and woodlands and deals with courage, change, friendship and growth. Forced from her home among the roots of a giant maple tree when the forest is sacrificed to build a road, Pipsissewa must cope with loss of home and friends. "Oh, where shall we go?" she asks. She finds the solution with help from a sympathetic young goose who invites her to migrate south with him. Pipsissewa's forest friends; Ursus the bear, a weasel, rabbits, and a beaver weave grasses into a tiny basket and tie it onto the goose's back. The grief-stricken fairy tearfully bids her friends good-bye, climbs into the basket and begins her journey southward on the back of the goose. Along the way, they stop in the Great Dismal Swamp where they encounter a poetry-reciting otter. He tells them about other inhabitants of the swamp. At the end of the journey, Pipsissewa and the young goose arrive at a lovely sanctuary called Tylaggy. Here she discovers tent-weaving spiders and unexpected friendship. She is invited to a grand festival by a tribe of Tylaggy fairies. Pipsissewa finds a new forest home and a joyful new life.