"Mum! Pip has written back!" came the wonderful excited voice from our garden one morning, as my daughter discovered a slug-slimed and snail-eaten letter on the grass, below my Gran's pear tree.
This was the foundation of what would become my award-winning children's book, Meeting Pip.
We have a small garden, in our little corner of suburban Scotland, perfect for our local primary school and friends for the children to play with.
Growing up, my children have always enjoyed time outdoors. Several years ago - when my daughter was perhaps 4 years old - I purchased a 'small fairy door and two windows' which I attached to our fence. The excitement was lovely and the glow in my daughter's eyes was beautiful.
Daily, she would play around the fairy door, building a miniature garden, a robe bridge from the pear tree to the fence, and a swing hanging from a branch. Watching her imagination flourish is something that will stay with me forever.
After a few weeks, my daughter began asking questions:
"Do you think a fairy really lives there, Mum?"
"How old do you think she is?"
"I wonder if she watches us play."
My daughter then decided that she would write to the fairy and ask herself. Having not long started school by this point, I thought it would be a super way to practise her writing and encourage her excitement, enthusiasm, and imagination. That evening, we left the note under the pear tree. As I watched my daughter before bed about the possibility of a fairy, living in our garden, with anticipation in her voice and face - what was a Mum to do?!
And so - 'Pip' wrote back. For weeks, months, and years, the innocent, beautiful conversations have continued as my son grew up and joined in the fun. Our fairy door still exists and although our Pip hasn't made an appearance for some time, she will forever be immortalized in my most recent book - Meeting Pip - and the memories of family fun will be with us forever.
To find out more about Pip's story, here are some reviews:
"It's thrilling to think that fairies might be real, and this lovely, whimsical read makes the idea feel even more plausible. I can imagine it inspiring lots of play and creativity as children use it as a springboard to write their own fairy letters and construct enchanting places for them to reside. For young readers who love fairies, this book will be a delight. For those who aren't sure about the idea of fairies, it might just change their mind! Either way, it will make a wonderful addition to any child's library." (Louise Jane, CEO The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023)
“Meeting Pip is a heartwarming tale that sparks the imagination and reminds us of the magic in everyday life." (Kitty Paw, Author)
“Meeting Pip is an adorable story. I love love love it! As I was reading this magical story about fairies to my two little boys, even I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next." (Sarah Geddes, Author)
Books are available to order from various locations: https://linktr.ee/fionalowryauthor
and I would love to read your review, accessed directly to Amazon, via this QR code. Thank you so much and happy reading.
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