Part 4 Forest Spirits
This is part four of a series! The previous posts are as follows:
Part 1 a little bit of witchery
And this one? Ooohh! These books are for you who look for fairies and gnomes, mushroom people and root children. For you who know animal people as magical beings. Read on.
Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke & Emily Hughes, 2024
Well this is one of my favorite books. While technically an early chapter book, I’m keeping it on this list because I find that it is an excellent read aloud for even four year olds. Beti and her family have the sweetest adventures all in their home in the woods. Find out about more Atinuke books here.
The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers, 1906
There are several versions of this story. The Story of the Root Children is the original. I actually really love the 2003 version, titled Mother Earth and Her Children by Sibylle von Olfers and Siglinde Schoen-Smith. It uses the original imagery in a slightly new format. I loved this story so much that when I was thinking of a name for the once little early childhood program I was starting, I named it Roots. And I have a tatoo of my own version of root children on my arm.
Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow, 1910
The little, and I mean little as in Thumbleline size, family in this story has adventures through the year. These little characters will have you lying around in the grass peering carefully about to see what you might be missing.
The Sun Egg by Elsa Beskow, 1932
This is an old story that holds up. I love the slow pace, the connection with animals and the world of small people.
Hop Along Jack and The Blue Bunnies by Jeri Landers, 2005
Every year when spring arrives I happily pull this book down to share. I love the detailed pictures of the bunnies home, the funny little adventures and the sweet messaging about loving yourself. The art is truly enchanted.
Princess Sylvie by Elsa Beskow, 1934
Elsa Beskow has many books and this the third one I included here. I like the power given to the child in this book, the connection to bear and the magic of the forest that is here without ever a wand or spell.
The Forest of Dreams by Merve Atilgan, 2025
I waited and waiting for this book to come in the mail. My library does not have it yet, so I didn’t know what to expect. The cover and the title gave me a feeling this book was right up my alley. And oh yes, it is. This young forest wanderer meets all kinds of magical creatures, including fabulous witches, but many more forest people. The mushroom people are in here! Squee! Everything in here is as magical as you might imagine.
Chirri & Chirra: In the Tall Grass by Kaya Doi and Yui Kaneko
These two cuties cycle through a magical woods and have all kinds of adventures including the curtest ever lizard house a visit with the honey bees.
The Maggie B. by Irene Haas, 1975
Well this is a sweet book of sibling love. Somehow the forest and especially the feeling of enchantment is brought aboard a magical boat, The Maggie B. where children play or really are keeping house on the sea.
Under a Mushroom by Anita Lobel, 1970
This black and white drawn book lets us get to know toadstool trolls as they figure out how to live in community in a quirky little tale.
