Available from NewSouth Books February 2017:Published by NewSouth Books 334-834-3556
105 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL www.newsouthbooks.com/hairyscary Trade paper; ISBN: 978-1-58838-328-0; 128 pages; EBook ISBN: 978-1-60306-421-7 |
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Hairy, Scary, but Mostly Merry Fairies!
Curing Nature Deficiency through Folklore, Imagination, and Creative Activities!
In her newest book, Renee Simmons Raney takes the reader on a “Peter Pan Neverland style” natural history journey that inspires a strong connection to nature, whether it be a terrarium, a back yard, a farm, a forest or a public park. Renee believes that every child deserves his or her own personal landscape in which to seek adventure and unleash creativity.
She begins this magical journey on a real Alabama dairy farm where a child makes an amazing discovery in the tangled roots of an old oak tree. From the roots of a tree, we move to fields, forests, gardens, islands, and the sky! Every story is sprinkled with a delicious golden fairy dust that fosters imagination in the young and restores youthful ideals to the mature.
Throughout this small but charming story book, Renee weaves “true” fairy stories, enhances the natural world with supernatural creatures (such as fairies, dryads, and pookas), and connects children of all ages to diverse habitats, creatures, seasons, and holidays while inspiring a sense of place, a land conservation ethic, and a comfortable fearlessness for outdoor exploration.
Each story is enhanced with activities that encourage children and their adults to explore their natural surroundings, engage in imaginative play, and offers a multi-generational remedy for Nature Deficiency Disorder.
The incredibe art work was created by artist Carolyn Walker Crowe.
She begins this magical journey on a real Alabama dairy farm where a child makes an amazing discovery in the tangled roots of an old oak tree. From the roots of a tree, we move to fields, forests, gardens, islands, and the sky! Every story is sprinkled with a delicious golden fairy dust that fosters imagination in the young and restores youthful ideals to the mature.
Throughout this small but charming story book, Renee weaves “true” fairy stories, enhances the natural world with supernatural creatures (such as fairies, dryads, and pookas), and connects children of all ages to diverse habitats, creatures, seasons, and holidays while inspiring a sense of place, a land conservation ethic, and a comfortable fearlessness for outdoor exploration.
Each story is enhanced with activities that encourage children and their adults to explore their natural surroundings, engage in imaginative play, and offers a multi-generational remedy for Nature Deficiency Disorder.
The incredibe art work was created by artist Carolyn Walker Crowe.
"Nature observation through fairy houses workshop: there are never two houses the same! I am always amazed at the creativity
and detail that my participants bring to the forest scape." - Renee Raney
and detail that my participants bring to the forest scape." - Renee Raney
"My fairy house participants range in age from 3 years to 103 years! This program is enchanting for EVERYONE!"
-Renee Raney
-Renee Raney
Renee's first book, Calico Ghosts, is available at amazon.com.
Calico Ghosts is a collection of thirteen folksy Alabama ghost tales certain to put a delicious tingle down your spine. These stories are founded on truth, layered in history, dosed with creativity, pinched with horror and a smattered with humor.
A child who sees a black and tan coonhound reflected as her image in her mirror...romantic shape shifters...a magical spring in an enchanted wood...a man who can heal the sick and charm snakes with his music...an old book that whispers...a haunted attic...a ghost who weeps for her lost love...all woven together in one unique calico-quilt of a book.
Author Kathryn Tucker Windham handed her pen to Renee and said, "I've been the ghost story writer (for the south) but I am finished now. I'm pleased to pass my pen to you.Take it and continue to inspire imagination across the South." KTW encouraged Renee to keep writing, to keep telling, and to keep barking!
A child who sees a black and tan coonhound reflected as her image in her mirror...romantic shape shifters...a magical spring in an enchanted wood...a man who can heal the sick and charm snakes with his music...an old book that whispers...a haunted attic...a ghost who weeps for her lost love...all woven together in one unique calico-quilt of a book.
Author Kathryn Tucker Windham handed her pen to Renee and said, "I've been the ghost story writer (for the south) but I am finished now. I'm pleased to pass my pen to you.Take it and continue to inspire imagination across the South." KTW encouraged Renee to keep writing, to keep telling, and to keep barking!