A Year With Winker Leafkin

Long ago, America was settled not only by Europeans crossing the great ocean, but small, enchanted folk like fairies, dwarfs, and elves. Deep in the forest, they set up hidden communities that spread and flourished. In time, it was possible to find, almost anywhere, swarms of fairies flying beneath the woodland canopy or tiny elves scurrying through the underbrush. And one of them went by the name of Winker Leafkin….

 

This book shares twelve exciting adventures of Winker Leafkin as this tiny elf plunges headlong into trouble and magically finds his way out again. Winker battles storm-tossed seas, gets mistaken for a leprechaun, and makes the fireflies dance. He is always hiding from humans, or escaping from them. With each predicament he finds himself in, the young elf grows a bit wiser than before, but that never stops the fun with Winker Leafkin.

 

Each story relates to a month of the year. Many relate to holidays: New Year’s Day, Groundhog’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s Day, May Day, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

 

Story Titles:

The New Year Flute

The Groundhog’s Shadow

The Leprechaun’s Shoes

The April Fool

May Wood Night

Midsummer Melody

Yankee Doodle Spies

There Once Was a Birthday

Lesson Plans

Snap Apple Halloween

The Thanksgiving Place

The Christmas Stone

 

The book contains 36 color illustrations and makes great bedtime reading for children from five to nine.  It can also be used in the classroom for fun holiday-themed reading. Each story has a short note concerning interesting facts about Colonial America or natural history.