The little bird in Tiny’s heart had been asleep for days. Tiny pursed her lips and frowned, trying to remember the reason why. Sometime when her heart-bird wept and curled up into a ball to sleep, it was because the corners of Miss Rose’s mouth drooped, or Woodmint was anxious about his winter wood-pile. But … Read More
Tiny and Penny-dog gazed up at the little red house. It was an elegant three-storey, perched atop a tall wooden pole.“Who do you think lives here?” Tiny asked.“Perhaps the Worry Dolls moved closer to town? Or maybe it’s full of snacks for all the good boys and girls!” said Penny-dog hopefully.A slim staircase wrapped around … Read More
Tiny closed her eyes, and sniffed at the honey-apple breeze that swirled through the village of Treetops. Her heart-bird gave a happy sigh. Fall was her favourite season—aside from winter, summer, and spring.“Woohoo! Good morning Tiny!” boomed Mother-the-Sun from above. Her voice was deeper than that of her sister, Mother-the-Moon, but they shared the same … Read More
September 2020Dearest Friends, Goodness, it’s been so long since my last letter. What a terrible friend I am! In truth, I’ve been busy helping Esperanza with her garden, who has managed to grow a pumpkin the size of an ottoman. We’re searching for recipes as we speak, so if you have a firm favorite, do … Read More
Tiny sat up in bed, and sighed. Her heart-bird felt heavy, and had been silent for days. The grown-ups on the telly-box were always mean to each other, and Penny-dog was still moping over her lost bone. Tiny felt a splash on her cheek. She looked up to see a puffy grey cloud hovering inches … Read More
The afternoon heat was searing. Tiny stood in the rock garden and heard the impatiens sigh. A sun-drunk bee drifted aimlessly, and even the spider stifled a yawn. The air was humming with an electric energy. Tiny felt like she was floating in a bubble of golden light—soaring high into the cotton-wool clouds until—pop! A … Read More
Tiny stepped out of Willow Tree Cottage to greet another glorious day. Butterflies danced in the cool morning breeze, as the birds warmed up their vocal chords, and Mother-the-Sun was busy with her morning stretches. The birds were singing a strange new song, and Tiny cupped her ear to listen.A crow in a nearby tulip … Read More
The August air was rich as golden syrup. Tiny lay in the grass beneath the old apple tree, fanned herself with a nasturtium leaf, and slipped into a delicious slumber. She awoke with a start to a peculiar slapping sound. Tiny sat up, frowned, and ran towards the commotion in the creeping twilight. Under the … Read More
Tiny stared at the headline of the Treetops Tribune. Her eyes popped out as she read. ‘Comet Neowise: For a few days only. Coming to a sky near you!’ She yelled a loud “yippee!” and ran a lap of the kitchen table. Everyone had been talking about it. She was finally going to see her … Read More
Tiny stared into the midnight sky. Something felt different. A grim despair hung in the air. The stars appeared to tremble, and the moon hid behind the darkest cloud.Tiny called out. “What’s the matter Mother-the-Moon? Is something wrong?”“Take shelter, child,” she hissed, as she—and the stars—shrank out of view. “The battle is about to begin!”Tiny’s … Read More
July 10thDear Penny-dog,You’ll never guess where I’m writing from! A cozy hayloft on a pumpkin farm, far beyond the Raven Hills. The Swallows of Freetown Medley kindly offered to fly me home, and we are now resting for the night. Mother-the-Moon is here, and has asked me to send you a big silvery hug. The … Read More
Dearest Friends,It’s been an age since my last letter! In truth, everyone in Treetops has been in a bit of a kerfuffle since the sickness began, and so I send my apologies. All the residents have been wonderful, keeping their distance, wearing their masks and being just a little kinder than usual. Clementine delivered a … Read More
Quarantine Survival KitContains:– A listening ear– A smile that reaches your eyes– Mask and hand-sanitizer*– Blue skies overhead– A journal and pen– A friend in nature– A pocket full of kindness– A sunny disposition– A heart full of hope– Emergency air-hug– Back-up rainbow– A patience cushion– A full set of complimentsAVAILABLE NOW!Inquire within(*with the exception … Read More
Tiny looked at the calendar; a red crayon heart circled the date fours squares from today. It said: “Happy Birthday Miss Rose!” She gulped. What was she going to do? All her party plans had been dashed by the virus, and Treetops was still under quarantine. She put on her thinking-cap, stared through the window, … Read More
Tiny stood in the grass behind Willow Tree Cottage, and gazed across the emerald ocean. Dozens of mysterious feathery powder-puffs had appeared overnight, and now swayed on thin stalks in the breeze. As she pulled one from the ground—holding it aloft for a closer inspection—the mischievous spring wind whipped beneath them, carrying them up into … Read More
Tiny couldn’t stop thinking about Lonely Tree. She wondered how he was coping, all alone in the Wild Briar Wood, and set off to visit her old friend. As she reached the shady clearing, Tiny flung her arms around Lonely Tree’s warm trunk, who swayed his limbs in the morning breeze. Tiny noticed an unusual-looking … Read More
It was a glorious spring morning. Tiny flung open her window to find Constance Goldfinch chirping on the windowsill, and holding a letter under her wing.“Pea-te-tee-te-tee!,” sang Constance, “Good morning Tiny, a letter for you!”Tiny felt a thrill inside. She tore it open. The letter was from Woodmint the Badger.“Dear Tiny,” it said, “Would you … Read More
Tiny woke up in a cold sweat, it was the third time this week. Tears escaped from her eyes, and she sat up in the silence of the witching hour. The room was in darkness, save for the shafts of hazy moonlight that streamed down from Mother-the-Moon’s watchful gaze.“What is the matter Tiny, why do … Read More
Tiny stared into the two golden suns, her best friend’s eyes were filled with love. She placed her small hand against the window, which Penny-dog covered with her paw. Only a thin sheet of glass separated them, but it felt like they were miles apart.“When can I see you, Tiny,” whimpered Penny-dog, “I miss you.”“Hopefully … Read More
Tiny decided to take her morning walk in the Wild Briar Wood. It had been so long since she had dipped her toe into the icy stream, or heard the breezy sway of the trees. She stopped at the clearing near Silent Creek, and sat in the space between the three tall Maple Sisters. It was … Read More