Pillywiggins and the Tree Witch

Review

 Julia Jarman creates an unforgettable character in the shape of a tree (and) the Tree Witch is beautifully illustrated in detailed black and white drawings reminiscent of old woodcuts in traditional fairy story books. 

                 Writing Magazine

From the Author

 This story has been a long time coming. For years, ever since houses were built on the field where I used to play as a child, I've had a vision in my head of a fairy ring growing through the carpet in someone's house. There was a fairy ring in the field - I never dared step inside it - and country folk do say a fairy ring can never be destroyed. What if that were true? The idea lay dormant then someone gave me an exquisite figure, a fairy doll, green not pink, and just the sort of fairy who would dance in a magic circle. I called her Pillywiggins, and the story started to grow.

                          Julia Jarman

There was a rabbit sitting in the tree. The tree looked like a person. But then, trees often did if you were Natasha.

 Huge, the Bugaboo's swinging arms nearly touched the ground. Skin like mouldy cheese hung from its body in folds. She couldn't see its face till it turned to look in her direction. Then she saw the single eye in the middle of its forehead.

  "It's the Red Goblins", gasped Pillywiggins from in front of her. "They're Fairy Land's top flying force. They're after you, so fly for your mortal life".

 "It's Hot Breath,"said Pillywiggins...
"He is the dragon who guards the wood. I should have guessed he made the clearing. Don't worry I can deal with him."

  Looking up, she saw the loveliest fairy she had ever seen and she longed to gaze at her forever.
"Kneel," said the Queen, raising her wand and Natasha sank to her knees.