In March I posted about one of our favorite books, How Robin Saved Spring by Debbie Ouelett. One of our goals was to expand on the story to include the other two months. The other night I did this for Hazel and made her some peg dolls to go with them. After reading it to Hazel, she told me I needed to write more, but I am going to share what I have so far with you. Since How Robin Saved Spring dealt with the change from winter to spring, I did not include that (which I have been told I should).
In a small house deep in the woods live four very special
sisters. Their mother is Mother Earth. Each sister is awake for about one
quarter of the year or at least that is how it is suppose to be. You see these
sisters have magical powers and they control the weather. They are Lady Winter,
Sister Spring, Girl Summer and Madam Autumn. Each loves her time of the year
the best. Lady Winter thinks it should be winter all the time and the entire
world should always be snow covered and frozen. Sister Spring however loves the
awakening she brings the world and all the new life that comes in spring. And
all the animals, trees and flower fairies love her and her kindness. Girl
Summer is the youngest and tends to like to play and have fun in the summer
sun. She does not always take her responsibilities seriously enough. She also
tends to like to awaken even when it is not summer. Madam Autumn is good
friends with the wind and the tree fairies. Her friends help her paint the
leaves for the fall.
Their cottage is rather small. It has four good size
bedrooms--one for each of them and then a small living space that includes a
sitting area with a fire place and a kitchen. Since only one sister is awake at
a time the space does not need to be too large. Outside the house are many
trees and plants and flowers. Or at least the flowers and plants can be seen
when it is not winter.
 |
| Girl Summer and one of her bunny friends |
Now as I mentioned, Girl Summer does not like to stay
asleep. Often she wakes up during all of her sisters' seasons. You may notice
when she is awake. There will be a warm day in the middle of cold ones. This
just means Girl Summer is restless and awake. Her older sister will get her
back to sleep and the weather returns to normal.
 |
| Sister Spring and a Crocus Fairy |
Sister Spring is very calm with her hyperactive little
sister. She does not get angry with her when she awakens early--which she
always does. She lets her help with the decorating of the spring flowers and
the planting season. Plus of course it is also the mating season for many of
the animals, and the sisters help with this as well. Girl Summer awakening
early is why we will have heat waves in early spring. Sometimes Sister Spring
will be able to get her back to sleep and other times she will not.
Girl Summer loves frolicking in the summer sun. She loves to
run through the wildflower meadows and on the beach. She often plays hide and
seek with the animals in the forest or tag with the butterflies in the meadow.
She also loves to collect shells and rocks on the beach and use them to
decorate sand castles that she builds for the crabs. Often she forgets about
having the rain, so many of the plants including some grass dries out and turns
brown. The flowers begin to die as well because of the lack of moisture.
 |
| Madam Autumn and a Maple Tree Fairy |
When Madam Autumn awakens she often sees the burnt look of
the end of summer. The plants cannot always survive her younger sister's heat.
Madam Autumn quickly calls her friend the wind to come and help blow in the
clouds. She also calls upon her friend the Rainbow Princess to help with the
rain. Then she gathers her fairies and gives them their painting supplies. The
fairies' job is to paint the leaves all the beautiful colors of fall. Just
about when they finish the trees release their leaves so the wind can blow them
in circles and have fun. Madam Autumn also reminds the animals to prepare for
the cold winter. Some travel to warmer places where Lady Winter will not have
as much control and others gather food to survive locked up in their homes for
the entire winter. Then there are those who sleep all winter long. Lady Winter
long ago knitted them magic blankets to put them to sleep for the entire
winter. Madam Autumn helps them get cozy under them before her older sister has
her turn at the control of the weather. Insects and such often go hide in walls
of buildings. Madam Autumn helps them find their way in and closes them up so
they will be warm. It will be Sister Spring who releases them when she awakens.
 |
| Lady Winter and a Snowflake Fairy |
Lady Winter often tries to get control early. If
she had her way it would always be cold and frozen. Sometimes you may see snow
in October because of her fighting for control. Madam Autumn however never
gives up on maintaining her control and if she must she involves their mother
to help keep Lady Winter where she belongs.
