Today I'm so pleased to introduce you to Jennifer and Annie and their magical Mariposa Forest. My own kids enjoy their Mariposa Forest letters that arrive in our mailbox every couple of weeks. Sage reads the letters aloud to Lupine, and although his is ten he still very much enjoys the magic in each letter from this magical land. And to Lupine every character and story is captivating and real.
Below is my interview with Jennifer, the writer of these magical tales. Enjoy!
What is your company and how long have you been in business?
The
short answer is Mariposa Forest sends seasonal stories from the
inhabitants of the forest to your children, by good old fashioned snail
mail.
We help create a magical world that is delivered to your doorstep.
One that encourages imagination, curiosity, and a connection to the
natural world. We also help create excitement as twice a month something
special is delivered to the child, addressed to them, just for them. We
launched in June of 2012, so we have been at it a little over half a
year and are now sending stories all over the world.
What inspired you to go into this line of work?
Both
Annie and I are stay at home moms and we were looking for a way to
continue staying at home and also channel our creative energies. We are moms first and foremost, but we are also creative, artistic beings and
it is important to nurture yourself in order to truly give yourself to
your family.
After many cups of tea discussing how we could combine our
collective talents for writing and photography, we realized how much our own children loved to get
mail and even how rare and exciting it was for us to get mail, other
than bills!
We both spend a lot of time in nature (quite often together)
and thought that it might be fun to send letters to children from the
forest.
My stories combined with Annie’s photographs to give a glimpse, a
hint into the magical world that exists in every forest. We played with
the idea and eventually Mariposa Forest was born. It seemed like the
perfect blend of both of our talents and really, there is nothing better
than knowing you are making a child’s day when they open the mailbox
and there is something there just for them!
How do you believe you and your business are bringing good into the world?
One
of the biggest things for both of us is teaching our children to be
connected to the Earth. To get outside daily, to know the seasons, and
the little piece of the planet that we call home.
The stories reflect
that.
They are stories, yes, but they also talk about the forest, the
changes that happen, the small shifts of light, the abundance of life in
Spring and Summer and the quietness of Winter.
We have a “Reflection”
question on the back of each story. We ask the child to look around and
see what they observe, what does their world look like? How is it
different from Mariposa Forest? What kind of animals live near them?
What kind of birdsong do they hear?
If we can get children to start
observing nature, even in an urban setting, then I feel like we have
done a bit of good. In a world that moves so fast and is so high tech,
we really feel it is necessary to help our children learn to slow down
and connect to the planet.
What else should we know?
We have recently started a blog
in which we hope to share ideas, articles, and such that have to do
with getting out into nature as a family and connecting to the earth. We
also have a newsletter that shares much of the same as well as seasonal
ideas such as crafts, recipes, and fun articles to give you ideas on
how to get outside.
You can download a free audio reading of a story
when you subscribe. Finally, we are currently having the stories
translated and will be offering them in French in the Spring.
Today Mariposa Forest is offering a generous giveaway to three lucky readers! Leave a comment below for your chance at an introductory package of Mariposa Forest (three mailings).
Comments are now closed. The winners are:
Tracy who said:
"What a wonderful idea, my daughter would love this.",
Margaret who said:
"this sounds lovely — I know my boys would enjoy this. thank you for the opportunity –", and
and Angela who said:
"My kindergarten class would love to receive mail! What a wonderful idea."
The winners will receive a welcome letter (which lets the child know that something will be
arriving for them), the introductory story which is the first story of
every new subscription, and a seasonal story that is in the current mailing.
I'll close comments on Monday and select three winners!
This looks like such a wonderful thing for my daughter. Thank you for the opportunity.
I think my boys would really love this. Sweet concept – and yay for mail!
How had I never heard of Mariposa Forest? Real letters in the mail, with woodland stories written just to the children. What a lovely idea!
Our children would love this. Thanks for the give away.
My son loves getting mail and is a nature loves as well! What a great offer!
How fun, my girls would love this!
This is something we need…a little boost of encouragement to get outside when it’s cold.
Thanks for the opportunity! My girls love those birds. 🙂
Wow! Love to win, but think I will sign up regardless!
What an awesome idea!! I hope I win but even if I don’t I plan to sign up for these letters:) Thank you for telling us about this!!
Oh! I remember when Mariposa Forest was brand new…I wanted so badly for some of that magic to arrive in our box, but it’s never been meant to be. Thank you so much for this chance at a small taste:)
This would enrich my son his live so much! Thanks for the opportunity!
How wonderful. Thank you!
Oh my goodness – what a wonderful idea! I’d love to win, but I think we will be subscribing even if we dont! xo
This is such a wonderful idea for a business. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
What fun!
Our children would truly enjoy this. Thanks for the chance.
Oh I love this idea! My children would love receiving these letters!
This would be SO FUN. Thanks for the chance.
What a fantastic idea they had. My daughter would love to receive stories in the mail. Thanks for spreading the Love.
Who doesn’t love mail … that isn’t bills?! Thanks for the chance!!
My children have pen pals already. They love getting snail mail. Sounds like a wonderful idea. Very creative.
These sound great! My kids would love getting real mail.
This would be so wonderful!!
My son is only 2 but he is fascinated with the outdoors and as Spring arrives this year, this would be the perfect compliment to his exploration! I know I would love it too:)
My girls would be over the moon with fairy letters. We adore fairies.
You discover some of the neatest things. Thanks for sharing such discoveries.
Thank you for the giveaway. I just signed up for the newsletter, too. My son is two (I see recommended age is 3) but this looks like something he would really enjoy!
What a wonderful giveaway! My boys would love it.
how lovely! Thank you!
Becca
What a great idea!
I keep hearing great things about this project. Thanks for the reminder to check it out.
This is amazing! Thank you to wonderful people for such a great initiative to help reconnect our kids with nature. f
Would love to win this for my little one!!
Very cool- my kids would like this…
My girls would love this!
Wow! My son would love to receive these letters. He loves being read to, and loves nature!
My little naturalists would love this!
This is such a great idea! I think my whole family would be thrilled to win this giveaway! Thank you!
What a fantastic idea! My son would love this!
Fantastic idea! My son LOVES getting mail!
My son would love this!
What a great idea, both of my sons would love this and even my daughter would like to look at the images.
My kids would be thrilled!
How wonderfully sweet! My kids would love this.
How fun is this?! My daughter would love it!
Oh wow, this is so cool! My little guy would LOVE this 🙂
So incredible!! I have three little girls that love nature, and this is a fabulous idea! What a gift.
What a wonderful idea, my daughter would love this.
Oh I have an almost 3 year old girl and 2 boys (4 & 7) who would absolutely this ! They love nature, animals, and it would be so magical for them !
Not only would my children find the gift of nature from these, but myself as well! Thank you for the chance.
How lovely!
XXfingerscrossedXX!!! I keep revisiting the etsy page. it’s a glorious idea!!!
What an amazing idea.
This is new to me! Thanks for the intro, I’m going to check out the blog now.
Oh I’ve wanted to try out Mariposa Forest for a while now! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Such a wonderful gift….I love getting actual paper mail.
Thanks for the giveaway.
They would be loved around here.
I am so excited to hear about this! My kids would enjoy these letters so much! Thank you for the opportunity!
This would be so neat to win. Thanks for the opportunity.. 🙂
Lovely indeed!
How wonderful – old fashioned snail mail. Any child would love this – thanks for the opportunity.
What a fabulous concept! I can’t wait to learn more about this company.
What a great business! My kids would love this…
Both of my boys would love to receive and read these stories!
Sounds fanatically amazing!
Yes please!!! What a beautiful idea 🙂
My children absolutely love to receive post! This would be magical!
My boys would LOVE this!
Hey this is a very cool idea; thanks for bringing it to our attention. I am going to be looking into this further for my youngest girl.
What a great idea!
i love this!!!
This is such a wonderful idea. My girls would love to receive letters from forest animals.
We already subscribe and are anxiously awaiting each letter. Tori.
My kindergarten class would love to receive mail! What a wonderful idea.
Our littles would love to get stories in the mail. Great concept! Thanks for sharing.
wow, it sounds right up our alley, and thanks for the chance to try it out!
What a magical gift this is for a child!!
cooool. i was just searching for a better alternative to highlights magazine! for real!
So magical and fun my girls would love this!
ooh how lovely and such a wonderful idea. We have just moved into our very own house and these letters would be such a beautiful gift for my babes to celebrate their childhood home 🙂
Beautiful! My children – ok, my children and I – love to receive mail. And this looks like the very best kind.
My son would love this! Thank you for sharing 8)
My girl would definitely go for this. Thanks for opening up our world Mariposa!
Fun and whimsical! Thanks for the lovely giveaway opportunity. Our children would adore these letters.
This is such a beautiful idea – I love it!
this sounds so magical…i’ll definitely bookmark their page for a possible gift idea later on!
Count me in!
Love this idea! Fingers crossed!
Oh wow, this is so neat! My boys would love this; I would love this! 🙂
Gah! This is awesome! My boys would be thrilled with this!! Thanks for the chance to win…
the kids would squeal with joy! What a treasure to receive.
thanks for sharing.
What a Cool and wonderful idea!! My little one would love this.
I’d love to read these! How sweet!
I think my whole family would love this!
My 3.6 yr old daughter is really starting to connect with forest. We make an effort to go into the woods at least one day every weekend. He loves to make fairy houses and looks for pieces to add to her nature collection.
Oh what a wonderful idea! Thanks for the chance!
Wonderful idea. My children would love to read these.
I have been very interested in trying out a subscription!
The mere thought of this seriously takes my breath away a little bit. Such a beautiful idea. I want to go live in the Mariposa Forest!
This sounds very interesting. my girls are both nature lovers and I think they would really enjoy it!
You’ve promoted Mariposa Forest in the past and I think it is just pure Genious!!! It sparked me to encourage family and friends to send Addelaide letters. She has loved every piece that has arrived with her name on it. With that being said I know that there is something extra special in the MF letters that would be so amazing to her – I’ve always wanted to do it. If I don’t win it this time I think it will have to be a birthday present this year 🙂
What a beautiful idea. I love real mail. ~sarah
Wow! What a wonderful giveaway! My children would love stories like these!
-Violet
this sounds lovely — I know my boys would enjoy this. thank you for the opportunity —
mb
My daughter has always loved getting her notes from the fairies, so I am sure this would be a big hit!
Such a splendid idea.
Go team mom!
Thanks for the opportunity Rachel.
This is a really unique idea! How cool!
wow! These sound awesome.
ooooh, i’m curious! we do sparkle stories already. but a “hard copy” story/letter in the mail would be a nice accompaniment as well!
Oh, what a great giveaway. Sounds magical!
~ loVely creation ~
I will share it with some little children friends if I win.
Best,
Shell ~
My kids would definitely be thrilled to read them!
Wow this looks great, my boys would love this
Oh my, this is wonderful! I have one who is reading and one who is almost reading and they both love stories of forest creatures and fairies! Please, pick me! pick me! pick me!
What a unique venture!!
My girl would love it! Thanks for the opportunity!!
Thanks for extending the giveaway- we just moved to the country, so this would be a lovely way to get new mail for the kiddos and aid in discovering the new world around us!
This is a lovely idea. We all enjoy receiving ‘fun’ mail!
Thank-you!
Such fun! Real mail is always exciting 🙂
Oh, Mariposa Forest sounds delightful! My girls would love this!
I’d love to bring the forest home to my 2 kids. Especially my little Abby, who’s just beginning to explore her world.
What a wonderful idea! My children would love this!
This sounds really cool! Thanks for the giveaway!
Wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a lovely idea! I had not heard of this, thank you for sharing! My boys would love these stories. Thank you for the giveaway!