FAIRY
GOTHMOTHER
The
TM
I was born with a Halloween Heart and write silly, spooky stories as the Fairy Gothmother including, A BEVY OF BEASTS, THE TRUTH ABOUT NOTHING, WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU GO TO SLEEP? and many more.
The Fairy Gothmother™ ("FG") is a fun, engaging, kid-friendly persona who embodies the whimsy, mystery and magic of my favorite season.
Children embrace her just-right mix of menace and affability, enjoying new ways to celebrate the Halloween season all year long!
Part of the FG’s mythos is revealed in the legends and fables of A Collection of Cautionary Tales, a macabre selection of middle-grade short stories, rhymes and graphic design that includes biographies of forgotten 19th C. illustrators whose work is featured throughout.
While she’s busy stirring up gothic atmospheres full of chilling tales, encouraging readers to look under beds and behind curtains for beasties, she also makes sure to empower children to confront their fears, providing a safe escape route with tools like, The Bad Dream Box.
The FG is more than a character. She is the architect of impish activities like, the original DIY Cemetery, Adoptable Ghost Kit and The Halloween Hunt, a high-energy game that combines tag and treasure hunt.
The world I’ve created for the FG through story, art and activities enhances my ability to educate, as well as entertain and have fun!
Performing readings dressed as the FG is one of my favorite things in the world, so if you are interested in having her appear at your event or host a Halloween Hunt, please reach out to discuss possibilities!
Meet the Books
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A BLAZE OF DRAGONS: And Other Fairytale Families
PICTURE BOOK
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STORY STARTERS: Your Fairytale Starts Here
PICTURE BOOK
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A COLLECTION OF CAUTIONARY TALES
ILLUSTRATED POETRY COLLECTION, MG
Fairy Gothmother’s Music
Enjoy this sample of the Fairy Gothmother’s stories brought to life through whimsical, magical songs including, A BEVY OF BEASTS and WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU GO TO SLEEP?
Listen as her just-right mix of menace and affability in the CAUTIONARY TALES book are transformed into a gothic, cabaret musical with tempting sing alongs.
“ A ridiculously fun gothic mashup of Tag and Easter Egg Hunt. ”
Captured on video - the first ever Halloween Hunt !
Are you the Hunter? Or are you Prey? . . .
Many years ago, my niece and nephews were about to fly home right before Halloween. Unable to bear the idea of not celebrating my favorite holiday with them, I invented the HALLOWEEN HUNT™.
It’s a silly blend of Tag, Hide & Seek and Treasure Hunt played in costume to score candy! It can be played outside or inside.
Not too long ago, we had our first At-Home-In-The-Dark Hunt!
Instructions for playing are included in the book, The Fairy Gothmother: A Collection of Cautionary Tales. Ages 8-12. But really, for ALL Halloween Hearts. Available where all books are sold.
FG’s Stories Published in Magazines and Anthologies
KINDLING KINDNESS, Underneath the Juniper Tree Anthology, (R.L. Stine supported!)
THE ABC DEATH MURDER MYSTERY, First Place, Edward Gorey Short Story Contest
NOW HE HAS NONE, Underneath the Juniper Tree, Blast from the Past Story Challenge Winner
THE FAIRY GOTHMOTHER, Underneath the Juniper Tree
THE TRUTH ABOUT NOTHING, Underneath the Juniper Tree
MAG-ICK, Crow Toes Quarterly
First Indoor Halloween Hunt at Night!
Spooky Little Kiss
Performing at an All Hallow’s Eve Celebration
ITTY BITTY BOOs™
Fairy Gothmother’s
Do you want to help support a loved one, but not sure where to start? Consider giving them an Itty Bitty Boo!
Itty Bitty Boos are small, handmade polymer clay ghosts crafted by the Fairy Gothmother™ in her dungeon. Each unique spirit is a reminder that you are loved and never too far from the light.
Each holds an emblem: a heart, flower or bat. Uniquely shaped and sized at approx. 1” x 1” makes them perfect desk or nightstand companions. They arrive safely packaged in a lidded metal tin with a battery operated tea light and supportive message.
Itty Bitty Boos make excellent gifts and bring a smile to family and friends as they offer quiet encouragement. Would you like to carry them in your shop? Contact me at the button below for more info.
ITTY BITTY BOO
This sweet little Boo
was made just for you.
I’ve sent it your way
to cheer you today.
It’s there to remind
to relax and unwind
when you feel worried,
behind, in a hurry.
While angels have wings,
and fairies make rings,
ghosts gracefully float,
support and promote.
They always know
to go with the flow,
and cheer people on,
hold light until dawn.
Boos help guide the way,
scare darkness away,
remind you to play,
find joy, seize the day!
Fairy Gothmother™
GHOST PAINTINGS
Boring vintage art and generic prints from chain stores transformed into new, original works with spooky apparitions using reactive UV paint that glows in the dark.
The Fairy Gothmother has sprinkled friendly ghosts in thrifted artwork with her magical paintbrush.
After the paintings “charge” in the sunlight, or by using a UV flashlight, turn off the lights and watch the spirits appear.
Large paintings are signed by the Fairy Gothmother and come with an “Official Fairy Gothmother” certificate, which lists the number of ghosts. Can you find them all?
Also available are a selection of small, desk-friendly-size B+W antique photos with tiny ghosts hand painted into scenes.
SUNSET SEA
Vintage print by famous Disney animator, transformed by the Fairy Gothmother™ with a Turner-esque aesthetic.
The vintage sunset image was originally painted by Disney animator Peter Ellenshaw (1913-2007) and printed to be widely distributed.
Born in London, Ellenshaw was a British special effects artist, production designer and matte painter for Disney, known for his work on classic films like Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Absent Minded Professor and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Much celebrated in his time and nominated for multiple Academy Awards, he won an Oscar for creating the iconic Edwardian London vistas in Mary Poppins. After he retired, he focused on his landscapes and seascapes.
This print (not numbered or hand signed by Ellenshaw) was discovered in a thrift shop and reimagined by the Fairy Gothmother.
She has added her own sensibilities and touches, including a nuclear powered submarine (SSBN) AKA “Boomer” just peeking from the surface, a nod to Bremerton’s Naval Base, as well as an atomic mushroom cloud forming in the distance and a contemplative ghost mermaid.
The mermaid and other features are accented by a touch of glow-in-the-dark paint which becomes visible under black light, charged with UV light or sunlight.
A BLAZE OF DRAGONS: And Other Fairytale Families Book Trailer
The Fairy Gothmother™ reading from A COLLECTION OF CAUTIONARY TALES
