Look After the Little Ones
Written and Illustrated by Maia Heissler
In an idyllic country setting, the scene of many happy family holidays, 11-year-old Caleb is confronted anew with the painful reality of his father’s recent death. The Little People who live there, unbeknownst to him, are faced with a catastrophe of their own: the area is regularly misted with an insecticide. Their traditional medicines cannot cope with the sickness that comes with it and they are now forced to appeal to a human to stop the “bad wind.” Thus circumstances bring Tago and Caleb together. Once the boy has come to terms with the existence of the Forest Friends and their need of his help, their nature-based wisdom gives him the strength and courage to effect change.
This book is available directly from Maia @$12.00 plus shipping (please contact Maia for details). It is also listed on her etsy site: DownToEarthBookStore.etsy.com
To Mend a Broken Web
Written & Illustrated by Maia Heissler
To Mend a Broken Web is a tale of courage and hope, with appeal for all ages.
The Web. The beautiful, though fragile, delicately woven Web of Life has been broken. Broken by people in high places, and by people who will not see. To the bottom of his heart, to the depths of his soul, twelve-year-old Caleb feels the pain and the suffering of a land he has grown to cherish. Although he would love to flee from this nightmare, he knows he must stay to speak, to act, for those who have no voice. With Caleb’s child-wisdom, tiny Tago’s guidance, and their combined strengths, the boy and the Forest Friend elder lead the way to a powerful solution.
This book is available directly from Maia @$20 plus shipping (please contact Maia for details). It is also listed on her etsy site: DownToEarthBookStore.etsy.com
Return to Magic
Written & Illustrated by Maia Heissler
Several extraordinary events have captured 35-year-old Caleb’s attention. The message is clear: come back to the land. Caleb makes the decision to take a two week holiday away from his high-stress city job. He heads north with his family to reconnect with old friends and a beloved property whose elfin inhabitants, the Forest Friends, have ways and wisdom he cherishes. Unbeknownst to him, a poaching operation has cast a dark shadow over the land, disrupting its harmony and balance — and the lives of the Forest Friends. These Little Ones now appeal to Caleb for help in restoring a peaceful environment. Various circumstances of life then tug the adults away from the property, leaving Caleb’s son, 11-year-old Daniel, alone. Will the boy by himself be able to find the strength and the courage to do what is necessary to help bring back peace and magic?
Return to Magic is about love and respect for Mother Earth. It is about the wonder and magic of our natural surroundings. About the wisdom of Nature. The joy in simple things. The beauty and intelligence of the cycles of life. Responsibility and caring. And much more. Return to Magic is a story for all ages
This book is available directly from Maia @$25 plus shipping (please contact Maia for details). It is also listed on her etsy site: DownToEarthBookStore.etsy.com
Winter Tales
Written & Illustrated by Maia Heissler
Wild Things for the Soul
Written & Illustrated by Maia Heissler
“Wild Things For The Soul takes the random, unsculpted beauty of nature and makes it deep, personal, and extraordinarily meaningful when seen through the creative eyes of author Maia Heissler. More than a how-to, more than a collection of reflective essays and experiences, this book yields unique insights on the infinite ways nature can be a playground and a “soulground” for us all. It helps us celebrate, in natural ways, bonds with nature that only someone with true inner wisdom can offer. ” (Maril Crabtree, Author, Mission, KS Sacred Feathers: The Power of One Feather to Change Your Life and other anthologies)
The Legend of the Forest Friends
Written by Maia Heissler
The Legend Of The Forest Friends is a short (1300-word) account of the Forest Friend presence in North America. It begins at a time when the little people enjoyed a peaceful co-existence with plants and animals. The coming of “the giants” who called themselves “The People” made them wary initially, but it soon became apparent that the two races could live happily together. The problems began, however, when lighter-skinned giants who called themselves “Civilized” (and whom the Forest Friends soon referred to as “the Depleters”) appeared in the land.
The legend does end on a hopeful note: “There are those among the Civilized Ones who are not Depleters, who also recognize the land as teacher, friend and provider, not as a thing to be ravaged or enslaved. They give hope that the Forest Friends will remain and come to thrive once more … and perhaps make themselves known, so to bring magic and simplicity back to what can once more be a wondrous place.”
The Legend of the Forest Friends is available for $3, free with the purchase of any Forest Friend piece.
Make Your Own Forest Friend Diorama series of booklets
Written and Illustrated by Maia Heissler
The Forest Friends began as an idea conceived on a city sidewalk when I saw a pair of maple keys and thought “Fairy wings.” Little did I know at the time how greatly this moment would affect my life. Like a child, the concept grew in baby steps, unfolding slowly from something cute and simple into a complex culture with characters fulfilling roles in a well-rounded community founded on environmental consciousness and earth-based spirituality. To this day it feels like Mystery; I readily admit to marveling — and to not needing to understand how this works through me.
After decades of creating, experimenting, and developing this concept of a gentle civilization of Little People of Ontario woodlands, the time had come to share the process. While these booklets appear to be a series of Do-It-Yourself manuals, I hope you will come to the awareness that creating Forest Friend scenes involves much more than undertaking an enjoyable, satisfying craft project. It is a journey. As you enter this world please tread lightly; it is a rich and delicate one, full of wonders. Tread with respect, for the Forest Friends are Wise Ones, and Keepers of the Woodlands. Tread with reverence, for they remember what it means to live in Harmony and Balance with our Mother Earth. And they have wonderful teachings to help us find our way back. Tread with love and with an open heart so your soul may be free to guide you to understanding these Little Ones and to strengthening and deepening your ties to Nature.
#1 The Basic Character
Body, Clothing, Body Language
#2 The Setting
Selecting & preparing Various Nature-based Settings, Placing Characters & Telling a Story
#3 Containers
Using Natural Materials to Create Baskets, Bowls, Backpacks, and more
#4 Musical Instruments
Using Natural Materials to Create Miniature Percussion, String, and Breath Instruments
These booklets are available directly from Maia @$10 each, the set of 4 for $30 (shipping extra). Please contact Maia for details.
PACKAGE DEALS
Adventures with The Little Ones: The Complete Forest Friend Stories
This set is available directly from Maia @$50 plus shipping (please contact Maia for details). It is also listed on her etsy site: DownToEarthBookStore.etsy.com
Inspired by Mother Nature: The Down-To-Earth Writings Gift Pack
This set is available directly from Maia @$30 plus shipping (please contact Maia for details). It is also listed on her etsy site: DownToEarthBookStore.etsy.com