Books on Maine Fairy Houses

Books on the topic of fairy houses are definitely one of Elaine’s favorites. Stories differ on how the tradition began of building fairy houses in the woods of Maine, an activity associated particularly with Monhegan Island and other coastal islands. Some sources speculate that Irish, British, and German folklore and settlement patterns may have sparked the tradition. Others report that traveling school teachers in the early 1900s brought folk tales to the communities that inspired early fairy houses on the islands.

For more information and photographs of many inspiring examples, see:

Fairy houses of the Maine coast / by Maureen Heffernan ; photographs by Robert Mitchell

“Fairy Houses,” Nature and History Essay included in AMC’s best day hikes along the Maine Coast : four-season guide to 50 of the best trails from the Maine beaches to Downeast / Carey Michael Kish, page 68

The fairy houses of Monhegan Island / by Susan Bassler Pickford ; illustrated by Jennifer Briggs

Fairy Houses All Year : A Four-Season Handbook / Liza Gardner Walsh ; photographs by Amy Wilton

Fairy House Cooking : Simple Scrumptious Recipes & Fairy Party Fun! / Liza Gardner Walsh

This favorite contributed by: Elaine Smith, Library Specialist

Banner image: Photo from Fairy Houses of the Maine Coast by Marueen Heffernon; photo by Robert Mitchell.  Down East Books © 2010