“Michele Pam Wright’s stories have the forward motion of good lyrics sung to a good tune, springing ahead with lively verbs, not static adjectives.

The stories are timeless, yet filled with movement, recounting journeys, never conflicts. The stories’ sunny moods are enriched and deepened now and then with shadows: a moment of gentle sorrow, a touch of suspense, but never a clash of enemies. There is no Evil in Michele’s world, and this comes as a great relief, a daring contrast to our violent culture. Concepts of Victory and Defeat are utterly alien to these books. Here, Friendship and Perception are affirmed.

Michele emblazons every page with her gorgeous photographs, ornamenting the margins with images of tiny natural objects, often combined and crafted into adorable depictions of her characters.

Even Shayla herself, the main character, has been lovingly fashioned from ‘found objects,’ borrowed from Nature. It’s a unique concept — images of creatures, some fantastical, some from the natural world, fashioned from objects found in the natural world. Michele is as fine a crafts person as she is a storyteller.

Michele’s quietly audacious books offer a unique blend of Fantasy and Nature Writing. She involves fantastical characters — a fairy, a mermaid, a dragon, the phoenix, talking animals — in events that transpire every day, every season, in every part of the natural world. I know of no other books like these.”

— Rick Sowash,
Author of Critters, Spitters, and Flitters and The Boy Who Would be Famous


“I highly recommend the “Shayla and her Forest Friends” series by Michele Pam Wright. The series is a delight for the senses appropriate to all age levels. The Shayla books lovingly depict the natural world through the stories of a fairy who is protector of the forest. As the seasons change, Shayla interacts with forest animals both real and magical.

She introduces us to memorable characters with whom she shares engaging adventures. Interesting facts about nature, as well as important life lessons, are skillfully woven into the plot. Most delightful of all are the stunning natural photographs that illustrate the books. Ms. Wright has literally created the characters for us to see as she beautifully assembled them from objects found in nature.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these books and look forward to sharing them with children of all ages.”

— Martha Hattery, M.L.S.
Librarian


With Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, Michele Wright has beautifully captured the magic — the wonder — of life! She artistically creates the world as we would like it to be — peaceful, tranquil, and full of friends.

Every page is a delight! Integrating realism and fantasy and a talent for storytelling, Michele transfers to her reader a love for nature, an appreciation for art, an excitement for exploration!

These books are an educator’s dream! They bring a sense of inner calm, even as they provide multiple pathways for rich, meaningful discussions. I love these books; they are pure genius! I so look forward to sharing them with my grandchildren!

Linda Klembara,
Retired Elementary School Principal