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I spent my childhood in Pennsylvania, one of a wonderful, nurturing family of eight children, two devoted parents, one grandmother and one great-grandmother, as well as numerous cats, dogs, and chickens. We lived on eight acres of beautiful Pennsylvania forest land with a wide rushing creek full of trout and crayfish, an amazing swinging bridge and a 3-story spring house. How could a child not have a sense of wonder and a fertile imagination in such a setting? When I grew up, I wanted to spend as much time with children as possible to try to impart to them that sense of joy and wonder, through reading and imaginative play. Through my major in college of Early Childhood Education, I learned how important imaginative play is for children. My husband and I were blessed with two delightful children, and they grew up in a majestic redwood forest, where they could not only stretch their own imaginations by living in this beautiful setting, but also by enjoying all the great classic fairy tales of the day. And I am happy to see they still nurture their inner child as they enjoy their successes and families. Please know that this is my dearest wish for all who would spend some time with this book: to keep your sense of joy and appreciation of the beauty of your natural world and to let your imagination show you what is possible, even though it may be improbable. Happy Reading. —S.E. Tomlin