About the Book
My name is Susan Apple and I am one of the creators of The Magic of the Stump Fairies.
This story was born from an idea I had one evening while contemplating the fate of a deteriorating tree on my property. It was nearing the end of its life cycle and my youngest granddaughter had recently decorated it with garden fairies. The story unfolded easily in my imagination and after sharing the idea with my niece, Italia, she and I embarked on the journey of co-authoring the tale.
Initially the story was to be my gift to my grandchildren to help explain the circle of life. Shortly after its completion our family suffered the tragic loss of my first-born daughter, Lauren, from brain cancer. As my family navigated her illness together for three short months, the journey unfolded into a real-life version of The Magic of the Stump Fairies.
Lauren’s Fairies
Our family became her fairies as we all gathered around her bedside and brought as much joy, music, and celebration of her life as we could muster. It was only in reflection that I realized I had encouraged us all to surround her with festivity . . . just as I had initially envisioned The Magic of the Stump Fairies story.
Lauren’s Fairies
Our family became her fairies as we all gathered around her bedside and brought as much joy, music, and celebration of her life as we could muster. It was only in reflection that I realized I had encouraged us all to surround her with festivity. . . just as I had initially envisioned The Magic of the Stump Fairies story.
Illustrations for our book began after she passed. Lauren’s daughter, Edison, and nieces, Talula and Layla, are depicted as fairies who brought smiles of love to her daily. Her husband Evan, sister Carly, brother-in-law Andre, nephew Kingston, and step-dad Eric, were also her devoted fairies and by her side throughout her journey. We miss her every single day, but take comfort in the jubilant and joyful memories of her remarkable life of forty-two years.
Dedication
For Lauren… a mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend. There was nothing she could not do with effortless style…home remodeler, clothing designer, dancer, and singer, but it was her work as director and producer of her own children’s performing group that revealed her true natural gift—inspiring children to find their joy through performance. Her students adored her, and it is our hope that this book will continue to comfort children faced with the loss of a loved one.
Rediscover Hope in the Face of Loss
Open the pages of The Magic of the Stump Fairies and embark on a magical adventure that will warm your heart and inspire your imagination. Get your copy today and let the healing power of storytelling work its wonders.