Rainbow Magic Book Set: The Rainbow Magic Book Set is a popular collection of children's books written by Daisy Meadows. The series follows the adventures of two best friends, Rachel and Kirsty, as they help the fairies protect their magical creatures and save Fairyland. Each book in the series focuses on a different fairy and their quest to find and return their missing magic objects. The fairies have been entrusted with these objects by the Fairy Queen, but they have been stolen by Jack Frost and his goblins. Rachel and Kirsty must assist the fairies in locating the objects and returning them to their rightful places to restore balance in Fairyland. The Rainbow Magic Book Set has captivated young readers around the world with its enchanting storytelling and delightful characters.
The Rainbow Magic Book Set has captivated young readers around the world with its enchanting storytelling and delightful characters. The series introduces children to the magical world of fairies, providing them with exciting and imaginative adventures. The books are filled with colorful illustrations and an easy-to-read format, making them ideal for children who are just starting to read chapter books.
Witch Hazels: A Promise That Spring is on the Way
Witch hazel has a long history of medicinal use. Native Americans used the leaves and bark as a poultice or tea to reduce inflammation and fever. Today, witch hazel is used in cosmetics, and a lotion of the extract and alcohol is marketed as a first aid for abrasions and skin irritations.
Forked stems of this plant have been used as "divining rods," too. The stems are said to dip down when held over underground water, thereby locating the site of a future well, a practice known as "water witching."
Witch hazel is a genus of deciduous slow-growing small trees and shrubs native to Asia, the eastern United States and Mexico. There are five species and nearly 100 cultivars, all of which are multi-stemmed. Most are upright with broad-spreading, open canopies and have great value in lighting up an otherwise drab, dormant landscape.
Depending on the species or cultivar, they have bright yellow, apricot to orange or red flowers that last about one month. Each bloom has four wispy petals radiating outward. The petals vary in length according to species. Individual flowers may not be showy, yet because they are arranged in clusters by the hundreds along branches and twigs, their effect is mesmerizing.
Witch hazels need a chilling time below 45 degrees before they flower and may bloom earlier in a mild winter. Their flowers are adapted to winter cold, averting freeze damage by closing when temperatures drop.
They thrive in well-drained organic-rich acidic soil. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun if they receive adequate water, especially during periods of drought. Plants grown in full sun will exhibit denser foliage and flower more heavily than those grown in shade.
A U.S. native, vernal witch hazel (H. vernalis), is hardy in USDA Zones 4-8 and grows along stream banks in Missouri and Arkansas. Its yellow to reddish and deeply fragrant flowers are the smallest but most profuse of all the witch hazels. Flowers bloom in January, sometimes by Christmas in mild winters. More shrubby that other species and maturing at 6 to 10 feet in height, vernal witch hazel colonizes and, with its attractive golden fall foliage, can be massed as a screen or unpruned hedge.
There are two Asian witch hazel species, both hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, that bloom in February-March. They include Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis) and Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica). Both have classic spidery witch hazel flowers, but H. mollis is the most fragrant witch hazel, while H. japonica boasts superb fall foliage.
These species have been bred with our native witch hazels to create plants that add greatly to the home landscape. In the 1940s, crosses or hybrids of the Asian species, found in Boston's Arnold Arboretum and in Europe, were classified as a separate species, Hamamelis x intermedia (USDA Zones 5-8).
Whether you're choosing a witch hazel for fragrance, floral impact or fall foliage, there are cultivars suited for each use. Cultivars have also been selected for losing their leaves before the flowers appear, one of the less desired traits of native species. Some recommended cultivars include:
'Arnold Promise': vase-shaped, with fragrant light yellow, late-winter blooms, and red and yellow fall color. Grows 15-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide. Introduced by the Arnold Arboretum.
'Jelena': Belgian cultivar, more horizontal in habit with early to midwinter copper-orange flowers and good orange-red fall foliage. Grows 15 feet tall and wide.
'Diane': Belgian cultivar, late winter bloom of deep red flowers fading to copper and vivid red, yellow and orange fall color. Grows 10 feet tall and wide.
'Pallida': Early flowering with soft yellow, very fragrant blooms and yellow fall color. An RHS selection, grows 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
'New Year's Gold' and 'Orange Sunrise': Both cultivars of H. vernalis that lose their leaves before they flower in the fall.
Native to the woodland understory of the eastern United States, the common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. Its spice-scented yellow flowers begin blooming in October and November, and some cultivars bloom into March.The common witch hazel is the only Pennsylvania shrub or tree to bloom in late autumn. Often classified as a shrub because of its multiple stems, it can grow 15-20 (rarely 30) feet in height with a spreading vase shape. It is best used as a small tree in the landscape, sited in partial shade near a home or in a shrub border.
Witch hazels are perfect for a modest-sized garden and their tree-like habit allows for underplanting of choice groundcovers, bulbs and shade-loving perennials. Be sure to site them where you can enjoy their flowers from inside a warm house or up close in a part of the garden where you can appreciate their subtle beauty. Whether used as a specimen or grouped for effect, low-maintenance witch hazels are a delight in the fall and winter landscape and a promise that spring will come again.
The Easter bunny we know today may have come from German immigrants to America, who called this magic, egg-laying hare, the Osterhase or Easter Hare. The custom was first recorded in the 17th century in Germany. This is also the time that people engaged in ‘spring cleaning’ of not only their home, farms and barns, but of unwanted or outmoded attitudes or mindsets. Out with the old, in the with the new.
The engaging plotlines and relatable characters have also made the series a favorite among parents and teachers who want to encourage a love for reading in children. The Rainbow Magic Book Set has been praised for its positive messages about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of doing what is right. The strong bonds between Rachel, Kirsty, and the fairies teach readers the value of teamwork and loyalty. With over 200 books in the series, the Rainbow Magic Book Set offers endless entertainment for young readers. Whether they are diving into the world of fairies for the first time or continuing their magical journey, children are sure to be captivated by the adventures of Rachel and Kirsty. In summary, the Rainbow Magic Book Set is a beloved collection of children's books that introduces young readers to the magical world of fairies. With its engaging storytelling and relatable characters, the series has become a favorite among children, parents, and teachers alike. Its positive messages and colorful illustrations make it a wonderful addition to any child's bookshelf..
Reviews for "Rainbow Magix Book Set: Enhancing Cognitive Development"
1. Samantha - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Rainbow Magic Book Set. The books were poorly written with bland and predictable storylines. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. Additionally, the illustrations were unappealing and looked like they were done by a child. Overall, I found the set to be a waste of money and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with the Rainbow Magic Book Set. The stories felt repetitive and formulaic, with little originality. The writing style was basic and lacked creativity. The characters were forgettable and I struggled to connect with any of them. Overall, I found the set to be mediocre at best and not worth the price.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - The Rainbow Magic Book Set was a letdown for me. The stories were too simplistic and lacked depth. The plotlines were predictable and offered no surprises. The language used was also too basic, making it hard to stay engaged while reading. I had high hopes for this set, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.
4. David - 1/5 stars - I found the Rainbow Magic Book Set to be extremely boring. The stories were repetitive and lacked any real excitement or adventure. The characters were not well-developed and I had a hard time connecting with them. The illustrations were also underwhelming and did nothing to enhance the reading experience. Overall, I was very disappointed with this set and would not recommend it.
5. Jessica - 1/5 stars - The Rainbow Magic Book Set was a huge disappointment for me. The stories were cliché and lacked any originality. The writing style was dull and did not capture my attention. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth. Additionally, the illustrations were unappealing and did not add anything to the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this set to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.