Welcome to Week 5 of our Summer Book Club
For our 5th week of Book Club, we are opening the door to wonder and the magical world of the fairies. This week’s selection Through the Fairy Door invites readers on an enchanting journey with Willow, a curious girl who finds a hidden world where nature thrives and tiny actions spark big change. In the quiet magic of the Wild Wood, Willow learns that slowing down and paying attention can open doors - to wonder, to connection, and to a more mindful way of living.
Guided by fairies and luminous imagery from award-winning photographer Lars van de Goor, this wonder-filled tale reminds us that even the smallest seeds can begin a huge transformation.
Day 1: Read and Discuss
On the first day of book club, take a moment to curl up with your child and dive into the story together. Read slowly, letting the illustrations spark conversation and allowing the story to unfold at a gentle pace. Once you reach the end, chat about the magic of the fairy world created and the characters.
Encourage your child to share their favorite moments, ask questions, and reflect on what parts of the story they connected to most. Creating space for discussion helps the story settle in more deeply and invites lasting connection through shared imagination.
Discussion Questions
We've put together a list of questions and specific ideas based on this magical tale to prompt your discussions:
1. Have you ever seen a fairy? Maybe you have built a fairy house and noticed tiny footprints around the fairy house. Talk about your fairy adventures or the ones that you hope to have this summer.
2. Willow notices the small things that everyone else is too busy to notice. What small things do you notice when you go outside in nature? Share all the little things that you have seen lately and prepare to take a "noticing walk" someday soon.
Day 2: Writing and Drawing Prompt
On the second day of our Summer Book Club, we revisit the story to retell it and process the story even more through drawing and writing prompts. Children also like to retell the story through play and even perform their own reenactment. Let your children lead the way! If your children enjoy drawing and writing, create a space with easy access to pencils, crayons, and paper. Include the book in the space so they can use it as inspiration.
Writing Prompt
For this book, we created the following prompt to spark their writing adventures: Imagine what you would find behind your fairy door. Tell a story about what would happen there.
Drawing Prompt
For this book, we created the following prompt to spark their drawing adventures: print out the following template on watercolor paper and try your hand at making your very own salt watercolor fairy! Simply paint with watercolor and while still wet pour some salt and watch the magic unfold.
Day 3: Make Your Very Own Fairy Door
Making a fairy door is a very simple craft that encourages a whole lot of wonder. What is behind the door? Who opens it each night and morning? What would happen if you could fit through that door and be whisked away like the main character in this sweet story?
There are so many ways to make a fairy door but for this craft, we used birch bark which can be easily cut into a variety of shapes with household scissors. You can also use other bark, wood veneer, or even cardboard. The fun comes with adding the little decorations that will attract the fairies to open and see what is behind your unique fairy door!
Materials Needed
- Birch bark, regualr bark, wood veneer, or cardboard
- Tacky glue or a glue gun
- Oil pastels or markers
- Small decorative items of your choice; flower petals, seeds, sparkly bits, or tiny shells
- Scissors
Instructions
Step 1:
Use scissors to cut out your fairy door shape. Get creative with the shape for a more whimsical fairy door! If you don't have access to birch bark, you can use cardboard as an easy, eco-friendly substitute.
Step 2:
Use tacky glue, school glue, or washi tape to attach fun decorations. Mix in bits of nature like twigs, leaves and flowers! Our favorite feature was the seaglass we used for our tiny window.
Step 3:
Find the perfect spot in your yard or house for your door. Look for a place where fairies might be drawn like knots in a tree, a gap in a stone wall, or near a house plant!
Make as many as you want! This simple invitation to craft allows children to strech their creativity and imaginations.
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