The Faraway Tree Collection

If you are looking for enchanting books about fairies and elves, there are no better than the trilogy My Family’s Faraway Tree , The Path to Peace and About Elves. They are most suitable to read to younger children or children in the 8 to 12 age group would enjoy reading them for themselves. They are unlike anything they will have read before – passionate and intense yet truly delightful. There are a few big words in them, however the context makes their meaning clear. This trilogy is followed by Lord Stein, a story which expands on the conflict with the evil Sudeban and his desire to make elves extinct, and A Troll Story tells how Challinor, one of the Great Elves, changes the life of Gringl, a dwarf troll who wants to make his world a better place.

+ My Family’s Faraway Tree

Fairies exist. They always have. They are gentle, kind and thoughtful, full of fun and ready to add their magic to the lives of children, and grown-ups whose hearts are still childlike. Harry was a grown-up like that, and he left some of the magic with his best friend Bill, who helped him save the majestic ancient tree in which the fairies live. Bill’s granddaughter Olivia discovers a spell-binding world in the great tree to share with her brother George. As the city spreads and then the worst floods in its history ravage the area, Bill and the children provide a temporary home for the fairies and receive an extraordinary reward.

Comments

• An adventure book with magic and lessons about protecting the environment, what’s not to like?
• What a fun way to teach children about the need to take care of our resources.
• I do like the idea of a fairy “Gran”mother and a mysterious oak tree, especially when they’re at the heart of a story that emphasizes the importance of sustainable resources!
• This is such a delightful book and the illustrations are whimsical and beautiful. I sat down on my couch after a rather stressful day and was transported into your imaginary world and did not move until I had devoured the last page. Thank you so much.

OnlineBookClub Review

They gave it 4 out of 4 stars and the following comments: ‘My Family’s Faraway Tree is a gripping children’s book by Harry Louis Gauvin. The story features the encounters Bill and his grandchildren had with Gran. Gran was a fairy who could transform into an old woman so she could communicate with humans. Bill and his grandchildren, Olivia and George, got to learn a lot about fairies from Gran.

‘After Bill’s long-time friend Harry had died, Bill’s granddaughter, Olivia, was curious to know why Harry chose is live his last moments under a particular oak tree. Olivia and Bill decided to pay a visit to this oak tree to see the mystery behind it. To Bill’s astonishment, he noticed that Livvy, as Olivia was usually called, was talking to some imaginary creatures beside the oak tree. After Livvy had told Bill about the fairies, he wasn’t receptive to the idea of fairies existing until the day he saw an old woman do some preternatural acts and subsequently disappeared into thin air when he tried to follow her home. Interestingly, the old woman later visited Bill and his grandchildren to reveal her identity, where she also shared the history of the fairies with them.

‘I liked that the author made the characters to be appealing to the reader. For me, Olivia was the most charming character. Her proactiveness helped her to communicate better with the fairies even when no one else could hear them. I admired the lessons the author passed to his readers through the fairies. The most important one being when Gran shared that the fairies had always tried to replenish the natural resources they take from their environment. Humans could learn from the fairies to replenish the environment’s ‘I admired the lessons the author passed to his readers through the fairies. The most important one being when Gran shared that the fairies had always tried to replenish the natural resources they take from their environment. Humans could learn from the fairies to replenish the environment’s resources as they are being consumed. It’s a wise move to introduce these sustainable practises to children while they are still young.

‘It wouldn’t be fair if I don’t mention the minor flaw I saw in this book. The author casually used words that would seem difficult for children to understand. Words like festoon, cataclysmic, surreptitious, plunder and largesse might scare some kids. I’d suggest using simpler words. It’s okay to use these words if the author intended to build their vocabulary with those words. So I wouldn’t deduct any star from the rating because of this.

‘I found only a few errors, so I can say that the book is professionally edited. Another round of proofreading would clear off the errors. I rate My Family’s Faraway Tree 4 out of 4 stars because it is exceptionally written. This narrative is appropriate for any child that could read and comprehend. The book is also suitable for adults who enjoy reading children’s books.’

+ The Path to Peace

Take up the drawbridge; clear the outlying areas of innocent civilians; stock up the larder; bring in more ammunition; station guards on every entrance; impose an evening curfew. Things are about to happen. Fairies may be gentle creatures now, but they had to fight for their place in this world – and what a fight it was! For the first time, KNOW where fairies came from and how they live amongst us. This book will give you insights into the magical world that surrounds us all.
Testimonials
Louise (13): I absolutely loved it! The battles were so intricate and very clever, I loved when droppings managed to save the fairies. It is such a creative story. When the Gorks raided the fairy play place it was really dramatic and definitely the saddest most moving part of the story, especially as the Gorks killed them for food yet the fairies disintegrated before they could even be eaten, so the young innocent fairies died for no reason! But when the fairies and other creatures defeated the Gorks it was truly heroic and demonstrated that kindness always beats selfishness. Such a powerful, wonderful and magical story!

+ About Elves

George wants to know more about the elves and who better to tell him than the Great Elf Algorothe. The fairies and the Faraway Tree provide that opportunity. He sees wonders of nature and the power of elven magic. Those who trespass on protected land with evil intentions – Beware! Algorothe recounts the fearsome battle that defeated the great evil and restored peace, and then George returns to the bosom of his family with an insight into his life to be. This is a story of trust between humans and elves that will delight any reader who ever dreamed.

+ Lord Stein

Lord Stein is the hero in us all. Strong, noble, fearless, a leader of his people and admired everywhere for his qualities. Matched with a resourceful, beautiful and gifted wife of noble birth, Lord Stein displays his loyalty and compassion towards those who are true and stands resolutely against evil. He and his kin remain faithful to the bonds of fellowship forged in the hell that was Harnes Gap. This is a story to stir the blood and warm the heart.

+ A Troll Story

Gringl was a dwarf troll who escaped the slaughter in the Faraway Mountains. He survives many adventures using his skills and his ability to adapt – an ability that enables him to repel attacks by those bent on destroying him. Gringl seeks only to do good and to protect the less fortunate and after he meets the great elf Challinor, he becomes a knight and defeats the scourge of the age, freeing the people from oppression.

Bingert and Friends Series

These stories give life and personality to the imaginative characters Bingert, Rami and Mauish three of my children created when they were young. The stories have been illustrated by Jon Weber, an award-winning illustrator who specialises in the fantastical, the fun and the weird.

Bingert had come to live in the forest some years before and was now accepted as one of the forest folk. Although he was large and powerful, he was no threat to any of them and they found his presence reassuring. He liked a quiet and peaceful life and he found it here. However, Bingert now also wanted company that he could share common interests with. Good fortune brought two friends into his life when Bingert discovered them playing in the forest near his home. Rami (Mr Red) and Mauish (Mr Blue) had been close friends for a long time and although they were very different in looks and temperament, they had a special bond. They soon included Bingert in that bond and so the team of Bingert, Rami and Mauish began their wonderful adventures together.

Follow their exploits as their friendship grows!

+ In the Forest

This is the first book in the series and tells how these amazing beings met and how Rami and Mauish came to live in the forest with Bingert. They have wonderful adventures together which cement their unlikely friendship. They have lots of fun with the other creatures that have their homes in the forest and they mete out jungle justice to unwelcome intruders.

We have uploaded some chapters of this book to give you a taste of what is to come. Enjoy!

Read In the Forest

+ The Sea! The Sea!

This is the second story about the adventures of the amazing trio that made their homes in the forest. Bingert, Rami and Mauish go on holiday to the beach where they face foes of a very different kind, but still manage to have a fabulous time – camping, fishing, surfing.

+ Mountaineering

This is the third story about the fantastic trio’s adventures. They set out to discover a wonderful new world right under their noses! This is the best adventure of them all. Bingert, Rami and Mauish set out to explore the mountain they see from their clearing in the forest. They discover untold treasures, then see the conundrum they face as a result, and the remarkable conclusion they come to.

+ The Boys Go Sightseeing

This is the fourth story about the adventures of this amazing trio. They set out to visit a place recommended to them by their friend the eagle. It is a long trip and they have to be very resourceful to get there. While Rami and Mauish are gone, Bingert has his own adventure closer to home.

Rami and Mauish are in for a few surprises and they are more than up to the task. They share their excitement with Bingert and they all have fun with a new forest dweller. This is a great adventure.

+ The Birthday Party

In the fifth story in this series, Rami and Mauish decide it’s time for Bingert’s birthday and what a party it is. Most of the forest creatures join in and they have a riotous time. That is, until they get some very unwelcome gatecrashers. They tackle these intruders and it is a free-for-all. They teach them some manners and send them packing. Some surprising heroes come to the fore. After that, they all go back to celebrating. What a day!

+ Young Bingert

Young Bingert arrives at the Harris’s farm on the cusp of a violent storm. They are good and kindly people and treat him very fairly. But the townspeople are afraid and react with hostility to his presence. They wreak devastation on the Harris farm and Bingert reacts with justified anger and escapes, only to become trapped by an evilly-intentioned witch. Bingert suffers great hardship and humiliation before he finally makes his break for freedom. He journeys far until he reaches the forest and meets Devil, who introduces Bingert to a whole new world of friendship and acceptance.

+ Two Friends

Rami and Mauish live near each other; they go to school together; they are friends who are in sync with each other. They both love their soccer even though they aren’t good players but they are walking encyclopaedias on the game. They also love kidding each other and have a natural chemistry when it comes to banter. Uncertain of their career paths, they consult a fortune teller who sets them on an unexpected road to fame. Then they go off touring together and a chance encounter leads them to meet a new and mighty companion, with whom they share great adventures.

Harry's Children's Stories

Harry's Children's Stories is an anthology of short stories to be published in the New Year. They are neither politically correct nor politically incorrect. They are written for fun and enjoyment, both for the author and the audience. They are simple and innocent and they are about life as children experience it, with occasional touches of magic and the odd dash of homespun wisdom. They can enchant any reader who just loves a good tale and they are wonderful to read to children at bedtime.

Below are two of the stories to give you a taste of what this book contains. Enjoy!

Read The Cat

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