FOREST FOLK AND FRIENDS

A posthumous compilation of poems and stories about nature for young readers, written and illustrated by Parlee.

This book of four short stories and more than 20 poems centered on the natural world is dedicated to the author’s granddaughter and was compiled and published by her daughter, Rena Parsey. In a preface, Parsey describes Parlee as an imaginative, inventive person, noting that “sometimes a creative idea would strike her imagination, and it could not be stopped—hence this book.” Each entry features hand-drawn illustrations, mostly featuring the animals, insects, and occasional elf or fairy described in the text. The poems are short and easy to read: “The sun has set, and night is falling. / A busy day is done. / Safety of the coop is calling. / The hens file in, one by one” (“Hen’s Good Night”). Although the rhyme schemes are simple, they’re skillfully executed and don’t rely on imperfect rhymes that might trip up youngsters. “Dandelion’s Song” is especially appealing, reminding readers of the joy to be found in humble dandelions. The stories are a mixed bag: “How the Frog Became the Fairies’ Guard” is a fun tale of how frogs got their lovely singing voices in exchange for protecting the fairies’ home from rampaging trolls, but “The Story of Bitty Betty” and “Camp Out at Cougar Gulch” tend to ramble, although the foreword notes that some entries were possibly “not complete or polished”; they may appeal most to members of Parlee’s family. The illustrations, though, are the most charming part of the book: The animals and birds are portrayed in a wonderfully realistic manner and even the more fanciful creatures come alive. The old-fashioned look of these illustrations may not appeal to some, but others are sure to enjoy its distinct, vintage style.

An often charming, if occasionally uneven, collection.