News from Tiny's Travel Journal
Tiny had woken up with a terrible case of the gloomies. The skies were dark, the birds sang their saddest songs, and even the sun had refused to play. She decided to take a walk through her beloved village of Treetops, but everywhere she turned, the world seemed to be breaking apart. Just that week, Old … Read More
Tiny opened her curtains to find that Treetops had been wrapped in the softest white eiderdown. A kaleidoscope of snowflakes glinted on the window pane, and the thermometer complained of single digits. She scurried outside to the mailbox—the air was sharp and still, yet she could hear the sweet tinkling of wind-chimes. She followed the … Read More
The calendars in the Beech Nut Bookstore waited excitedly for the day’s first customers. It was a new year and a new decade—a big responsibility for the latest recruits. Some were sweating in their plastic sleeves, others stayed cool in recyclable paper envelopes. A few were going to far as to give out free stickers … Read More
The flags were flying, the bells were ringing, and the villagers were dusting down their finery—the Feast of Midwinter had finally arrived. Tiny, Woodmint and Miss Mary Margaret had transformed the community maker-space into a magnificent carnival tent. Flags from every nation zigzagged across the ceiling, and bouquets of fruit and flowers bloomed from the … Read More
Tiny knelt in the fresh snow and placed her parcel under the tree. The Norwegian Spruce towered into the clear sapphire sky, delicately scenting the air with ribbons of sweet pine. The parcels looked so cozy as they jostled against one another, that Tiny crawled beneath the branches to join them. The colossal tree … Read More
It was almost time for the Treetops Lantern Festival, the final hurrah before the Feast of Midwinter. Tiny had been building her lantern for weeks; a glorious pink flamingo with a long swirling neck and a candy-cane pattern. She suspended it from her pole, and turned on the light. It set the room ablaze like … Read More
Tiny loved to spend Saturday afternoons drifting through the shops of Upper Treetops. One favourite was Justin Thyme’s Clock Shop, with its colossal grandfather clock and the mysterious hourglass in the window. As she wandered the aisles, she came upon an old wristwatch, and wiped off the dust to reveal its name: Casio. There were … Read More
Tiny was excited to have been invited to Esperanza’s thanksgiving lunch. She’d heard so much about the fancy origami napkins and the special cheese-plate, and Esperanza was a wonderful cook. It was all perfectly lovely, but something was missing. She couldn’t put her finger on it; all her favourite people were gathered around the table … Read More
The lady inside Miss Rose’s telly-box said it had been the worst storm in 100 years. Tiny went outside to survey the damage, and felt dizzy with dismay. Treetops resembled the scene of a gruesome battle! Trees were ragged from fighting with the winds, and leaves and garden ornaments lay helplessly about the streets. She … Read More
Tiny stared out of the window and sighed. Every day this week had been painted with the same dull and friendless grey. Perhaps a walk outside would help; she grabbed a collecting-jar for any treasures lurking in the gloom, and headed for the door. Outside, it was even worse than she’d imagined. The winds screamed … Read More
Miss. Mary Margaret’s annual bonfire party was fast approaching, and Tiny’s Storytime-Club chattered excitedly about their plans. “I can’t wait for treacle toffee!” squealed Woodmint, rubbing his paws in glee.“I’m excited for roasted hazelnuts!” added Liesel.“I’m looking forward to soft buttery potatoes all zipped up in their hot crunchy jackets,” Tiny said dreamily, her mouth … Read More
Tiny looked at the letter again, and winced. The last thing she wanted to do was bat-sit for Professor Castleclaw’s boys. She had nothing against the bat twins, they were actually quite sweet. No, it was the creepy old house that Tiny disliked. It gave her the heebie-jeebies with its creaking floors, ghostly howls and … Read More
Tiny and Woodmint sat around the kitchen table, nibbling on toasted chestnuts and enjoying the warmth of the fire. They had been meeting each Sunday to discuss the Feast of Midwinter, but today they were distracted by a commotion outside the window. The afternoon had been invaded by a steely-grey mist, and the meadow was … Read More
It was a brisk and sunny October morning, as Tiny and Penny-dog ambled through the village of Treetops. They stopped to wave at Apple Tree who swirled in the crisp autumn wind, her branches now light and empty. Further down the lane, strange noises were coming from Old Man Guthrie’s garden, where three plump and … Read More
Tiny looked anxiously out of the window; it was very dark on the night before the Hunter’s moon, and Mother-the-Moon was nowhere to be seen. Tiny worried and paced; what if Mother-the-Moon had fallen out of the sky, or if her light had gone out and she needed help? Tiny could bear it no longer, … Read More
It was a crisp and sunny Autumn morning, perfect for a hike through the Wild Briar Woods. Tiny packed a flask of tea and a fairycake, and hummed as she crinch-crunched over the golden carpet of leaves. Before long, she was not only lost in her thoughts, but completely lost in the woods. A splosh … Read More