Once upon a time, in a far away forest with dancing hemlocks, bright orange salamanders and a talking creek, there stood an enchanted cottage made entirely of magic. Now, boys and girls, you might imagine I'm referring to the little folly that Sandra Foster built for herself out of childhood fantasies, and that would be an exquisite thing to imagine. So before we go another step further into these woods, let's knock upon her door...
Sandra's Blog: My Shabby Streamside Studio
NYT: In the Catskills, Comfort in a Gingerbread House
Door Sixteen: Teeny-Tiny Catskills Cottage
Magical indeed. And how could I, as the mother of a trailer, not love this? Still, this picture book is not about Sandra's cottage. It's about mine. Come back with me 25 years in time and see if the two are not kindred in spirit.
But do you know what, my little darlings?
Magic occurs when two things (that you all inherently have) come together:
imagination + believing you can make something happen.
A salamander told me that.