Stories by Daniela Drescher

Little Fairy Can't Sleep

Little Fairy Faith meets a mother fox and her young cubs who can’t get to sleep, an elf father whose children can’t get to sleep, and the sandman who is filling sacks with magic dust to help children everywhere get to sleep. Finally the little fairy meets a moth fairy prince who takes her to the source of the night’s magic—a wonderful midsummer night’s party—where she dances until she is so tired that she finally falls asleep.

This magical, dreamlike tale makes perfect bedtime reading.

(Ages 3–7)

Little Fairy's Christmas

Faith, a little fairy, finds herself lost outside on a cold winter's evening.  She comes upon a shivering elf boy, lost like herself, and together they try to find their way back home.  Helped by animals and at last even by Father Christmas himself, they make their way through the woods to their own warm hearths. 

This is a warm and gentle tale that offers us and our children the generous Spirit of Christmas, all wrapped up in Daniela Drescher's beautiful images.

Ages 3-6 and beyond.

Over the Hills and Far Away

Stories of dwarfs, fairies, gnomes and elves - as well as nature beings by other names - are among the most universal in humanity's storytelling pantheon.  Regardless of the culture of origin, they share insights into the wisdom of nature and the effect of human morality upon it.  In fact, all such stories I've ever read or heard told are in one way or another morality tales -- only here, the human's morality affects nature and her beings and they, in turn, affect the destiny of the people involved, whether for good or ill.  The reverse can also be true: naughty nature beings have their effect in the world and the world and more evolved beings respond to counter it. 

However, there is a warmth to these tales that most morality tales lack: even when the deeds arise out of the lower nature of people, or from a recalcitrant gnome, there is a sympathy in the telling that leads to a type of heartwarmed understanding.  In short, this quality makes them wonderful for children (and adults, I might add).  These stories invite the child into the heart of the world, and evoke a desire to be helpful and kind in the process.

Most of the tales in Over the Hills and Far Away are ideal for children 6-10 years old.  Some of the simpler ones would be lovely for children 4 years old or older.  This is a wonderful collection of stories made even richer by Daniella Drescher's beautiful paintings.

Merlina and the Magic Spell

It’s harvest time, and Merlina the little sorceress and her friend Igor the dragon are busily gathering fruit and vegetables from their garden. When Igor stands on a sharp thorn, Merlina has to find the right spell to make his toe better. Several not-so-magic spells later and the thorn is still there, and poor Igor is still in pain. That is, until he tries a tasty-looking chilli pepper, and gets quite a shock! Maybe magic doesn’t always hold the key to their problems.

Ages 3-6

The Elves' Big Adventure

Old Redcap, an inventor elf, is proud of his greatest creation—a hot-air balloon with wings for steering. One day, Bluecap, a young elf, comes rushing through the woods. A fox has nibbled at the ropes that keep the balloon from floating away! Redcap and Bluecap grab a rope but cannot keep the balloon from rising into the sky—with the two elves still attached.

Eventually darkness falls, along with the balloon. When they awake the next morning, they find themselves in the land of the fairies, They have become stuck on rocks that are not rocks at all, but turn out to be a sleeping dragon.

Their adventure has only begun . . .

(Ages 4–7)

What's Hiding in There?

Young children love exploring the world of elves and fairies, and this time there’s more to discover! Lift the three or four flaps on each page to discover what’s hiding in the old tree, in the nest, in the grass, or under the leaves.

The simple text asks "what's hiding in there?" This unique and entertaining picture book is ideal for preschool and early grades children.

(Ages 3–6)

In the Land of Fairies

A really sweet book - In the Land of Fairies follows the fairy world through the seasons with a minimum of words and evocative, beautiful two-page illustrations that open the door to many more stories you can tell yourself. This is a storybook you and your child will gaze at and love.

In the Land of Elves

Sweetly rhyming verse and soft, luminous illustrations take you and your young child through the days and seasons in the Land of Elves. A lovely, lovely book for any young child.

In the Land of Merfolk

In the colorful style of her other two books, In the Land of Fairies and In the Land of Elves, Daniela Drescher's evocative full-spread watercolor illustrations reveal the secret, watery world of the merfolk among the lilypads, reeds, and rushes. Their magical world is shown through the seasons.

(Ages 5–8)