The Story Behind

Fairy Grandmother: The Untold Story

Some stories take a long time to find their way onto paper.

Fairy Grandmother: The Untold Story is one of them. And it’s the first book in our new children’s book series.

For a number of years, we talked about the idea of writing a children’s book series about a Fairy Grandmother. We made her up as she didn’t exist in the fairy world. Nor did she exist in the virtual world. If you Google Fairy Grandmother, you get Fairy Godmother. We imagined what she might look like, what kind of magic she would have, and—most importantly—what kind of grandmother she would be. The idea stayed with us, waiting patiently until the time felt right to tell her story.

At the heart of the book is a grandmother we both knew and loved – my Mom. She reminded us of something we have always believed: there is something magical about grandmothers and their grandchildren. Grandmothers have a way of making ordinary moments feel special. They tell stories, share wisdom, offer encouragement, and somehow always seem to have a little extra room in their hearts for one more hug, one more question, one more lesson, and one more adventure.

So we wondered…what if there really were a Fairy Grandmother?

Our Fairy Grandmother is the oldest fairy of all. She is wise, a little quirky, and very patient—especially with three young fairies who are just beginning to discover their magic. And her glasses are made out of twigs from the forest floor.

We chose three of the most familiar fairies to join her in the book: the Fairy Princess, the Fairy Godmother, and the Tooth Fairy. But these aren’t the polished, grown-up fairies children might expect. They are young fairies who are still learning. Their spells don’t always work as planned, their magic sometimes gets a little wobbly, and they have plenty to learn from their Fairy Grandmother.

Our three young fairies each have a personality all their own. The Tooth Fairy wears sturdy boots and carries a little foraging bag wherever she goes, ready for whatever adventure—or lost tooth—comes her way. The Fairy Princess has a wonderfully crooked crown and loves nothing more than curling up with a good book. And the Fairy Godmother loves all things pink, especially her beautiful glass slippers. But when it is time for serious fairy training, she trades her fancy slippers for a sturdy pair of boots and gets to work!

And there is an important lesson at the center of their training: magic is important and fragile.

Magic must be cared for. It can’t be taken for granted or used carelessly. The young fairies must learn that having magic is a responsibility—and that some of the most important magic comes from kindness, courage, patience, and helping others.

And then there is Luna. Our magical bearded dragon makes an appearance on every page spread of Fairy Grandmother. Finding Luna becomes a little game for readers, and her presence gives this new story a special connection to the Tiny Hero Series world. Elfie shows up also, a nod to our first children’s book series. We love the idea that our stories can quietly connect with one another, even when the characters and adventures are different.

But ultimately, Fairy Grandmother is a story about something much bigger than fairies.

It is about learning. It is about making mistakes. It is about discovering your own magic and learning how to use it. And it’s about the special relationship between a grandmother and the young people she loves.

Because maybe grandmothers really are a little bit magical.

They know when you need a hug. They listen to the same story for the hundredth time. They make ordinary days feel like adventures. They keep family stories alive. And somehow, they have a way of making you believe you can do things you weren’t sure you could do.

So this book is for grandmothers everywhere—the storytellers, the teachers, the huggers, the encouragers, the keepers of family traditions, and the ones who always seem to have just a little bit of magic tucked away.

After all, every child deserves a grandmother who makes them believe in magic.

And every grandmother probably knows…sometimes the magic is simply love.

Stay tuned! The Fairy Grandmother’s magical adventures are just beginning. The first book in the series is coming soon, and book two is already taking shape!

Family Ink: The Mother and Son Storytelling Team