Sheila Knagg’s inspiration for this story came about one day during the COVID lockdown. She was walking along the beach and heard what she thought was giggling and chatter. It came from the mobile in her pocket, She imagined the sounds to be beach fairies living, hiding and playing along the sand dune. This idea soon took shape into a whimsical fairy story for 4- to 6-year-olds. Together with Jennifer Falkner’s vibrant illustrations, there is some magic in a very recognisable Australian beach landscape.
Fairies watch from a distance as a family arrives at the beach ready to have a day of fun with Sandcastles. Feathers. Driftwood and sticks. Pelicans. Ice-cream. Seagulls and chips. As the sun goes down, they observe eagerly as the family pack up for home. With the beach deserted, the fairies leave their cosy beach caves ready to have fun under the moonlight. They skip through the sand-dunes, glide with the seabirds, and splash in the waves. But when daylight comes, its time to head back to the safety of their bed, and dream of the next fun filled evening on the beach.
The bright illustrations have an Aussie flavour, with beautiful shells, sand dunes, glistening water, cheeky noisy seagulls, and a collection of fairies that come in all shapes, colour, ages, personalities and size. The lyrical verse is in keeping with the magic that inhabits each page. These are relaxed beach fairies who love to have fun together and even play in the sandcastles left by the children.
