The Butterfly Fairies
Helping little hearts grow
Step into a gentle world of stories, creativity and butterfly magic.
The Butterfly Fairies is a children’s book series created by award-winning author, trainer and creative educator Anna-Louise Leyden. Each story introduces a beautiful butterfly and a simple secret designed to help children understand the strength they already carry inside them.
Through comforting stories, memorable pauses and creative activities, children can explore calm, courage, confidence, kindness and many more of the feelings and skills that help little hearts grow.
A little magic for life’s big feelings
Growing up can bring some very big feelings.
Children may feel worried, overwhelmed, unsure of themselves or frightened of trying something new. The Butterfly Fairies help children explore these experiences through enchanting stories, relatable characters and simple techniques they can remember beyond the final page.
Each story combines:
A gentle, magical adventure
A real butterfly species
An important emotional wellbeing theme
A simple pause or activity children can practise
A reassuring reminder that the magic they need is already inside them
The Butterfly Fairies do not give children their strength. They help them discover it for themselves.
The Promise of the Butterfly Fairies
Long ago, when the world was younger, a promise was made to keep fairy magic safe and close.
The fairies would travel quietly through the world wearing wings of colour. They would rest on flowers and leaves and become known as butterflies.
Whenever a child needs a little courage to try, a quiet reminder to keep going or help taking a first small step, a Butterfly Fairy will be nearby - watching, waiting and ready to remind them of the strength they already have.
Meet The Butterfly Fairies
The Emperor Butterfly and the Secret of Calm
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is pause
When everything feels too loud, too busy or too much, the Emperor Butterfly helps children discover the secret of calm.
Through a gentle story and the Emperor Pause, children learn that taking a moment to stop, breathe and notice what is around them can help them feel safer and more in control.
The secret: Calm does not always mean that everything around us is quiet. Sometimes it begins by finding one quiet moment inside ourselves.
Children can explore:
Recognising when feelings are becoming overwhelming
Pausing before reacting
Using breathing and mindful noticing
Understanding that it is okay to take a moment
The Red Admiral Butterfly and the Secret of Courage
Courage begins with one small step
The Red Admiral Butterfly helps children discover that being brave does not mean never feeling frightened.
With the Brave Pause, children learn how to stop, recognise what they are feeling and choose one manageable next step.
The secret: Courage is not the absence of fear. It is deciding to try, even when something feels difficult.
Children can explore:
Understanding fear and uncertainty
Trying something new
Breaking a challenge into smaller steps
Celebrating effort rather than perfection
The Painted Lady Butterfly and the Secret of Believing
Your wings may be stronger than you think
The Painted Lady Butterfly helps children recognise their own strengths and begin believing in what they can do.
This story encourages children to notice unhelpful doubts, remember the things they have already overcome and take their next step with growing confidence.
The secret: Believing in yourself does not mean knowing you will get everything right. It means trusting that you can try, learn and grow.
Children can explore:
Building self-belief
Recognising personal strengths
Responding to mistakes with kindness
Developing confidence through small achievements
More Butterfly Fairies are waiting in the wings
The Butterfly Fairies world will continue to grow, with future stories exploring themes including:
Confidence
Kindness
Gratitude
Friendship and connection
Resilience
Mindful noticing
Self-compassion
Bravery and change
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Stories For Every Kind Of Learner
Read it. Watch it. Listen to it. Experience it.
Every Butterfly Fairies story is brought to life in more than one way.
Alongside each book, children can enjoy an accompanying animated story video and original song. This allows children to connect with the characters and messages through words, pictures, movement and music.
Providing different ways to experience each story can make the Butterfly Fairies more welcoming and accessible for children with a range of ages, interests, communication styles and learning needs—including children who find reading difficult or who engage more easily through sound and visual storytelling.
Each Butterfly Fairies experience may include:
The illustrated storybook
An animated story video
An original song inspired by the story
A memorable wellbeing technique, such as the Emperor Pause or Brave Pause
Creative activities and prompts for shared conversations
Children can read along, watch independently, sing together or return to a favourite part whenever they need its message.
Because there is no single right way to enjoy a story, families and educators can choose the format—or combination of formats—that works best for each child.
One story. Many ways to experience the magic.
Real butterflies. Fascinating facts. A little fairy magic.
There is even more to discover beyond the stories!
Flutter Facts introduces children to the amazing real-life butterflies that inspire the Butterfly Fairies. Through short, colourful and engaging videos, children can learn about different butterfly species, their markings, habitats, life cycles and extraordinary abilities.
From the Emperor Butterfly to the Red Admiral and Painted Lady, every butterfly has its own fascinating story to tell.
Perfect for curious little nature lovers, Flutter Facts combines learning, music and fun—encouraging children to notice, appreciate and care for the natural world around them.
Come and learn the Flutter Facts with me!
Discover Flutter facts
Our Services
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The Butterfly Fairies are designed to create conversations and experiences that continue after reading.
Stories
Gentle, magical books that help children explore emotions and discover their inner strengths.
Simple wellbeing tools
Each butterfly introduces a memorable pause, technique or activity that children can return to when they need it.
Creative activities
Painting, colouring, crafting and imaginative play allow children to explore each story in their own way.
Real butterfly discovery
The stories also encourage curiosity about butterflies, nature and the world around us.
Shared moments
The books are designed to be enjoyed together, creating opportunities for children and trusted adults to talk, listen and connect.
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Bring the stories to life with a little bag of butterfly magic.
Our limited Butterfly Fairy activity packs combine storytelling, painting and imaginative play. Each pack is inspired by one of the Butterfly Fairies and includes a plaster butterfly for children to decorate, paints and a special message connected to that butterfly’s secret.
Choose from:
The Emperor Butterfly and the Secret of Calm
The Red Admiral Butterfly and the Secret of Courage
The Painted Lady Butterfly and the Secret of Believing
Important information:
Activity pack contents may vary slightly. Adult supervision is required. Please check the individual product listing for the recommended age, full contents, allergy information and safety guidance.
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A magical celebration with meaning
Butterfly Fairy parties combine stories, imagination and creativity to create a special experience for children.
A party could include:
An interactive Butterfly Fairies story
Gentle movement or imaginative play
A butterfly painting or craft activity
A visit to the magical fairy garden
Butterfly-themed games
A calming or courage-building activity
A special Butterfly Fairy message for each child
Optional activity packs or books to take home
Parties can be adapted around the child, chosen butterfly and preferred theme.
Available in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Please enquire about travel to other locations.
Contact us to find out more -
The Butterfly Fairies can also visit schools, nurseries, libraries, children’s groups and community events.
Sessions can combine storytelling, emotional learning, creative activities and age-appropriate discussion. They can be shaped around themes such as calm, courage, self-belief, kindness or resilience.
Possible sessions include:
Interactive author visits
Storytelling workshops
Wellbeing and confidence sessions
Butterfly-themed creative workshops
Library and bookshop events
Community and family activities
Bespoke sessions linked to a particular theme
Anna-Louise brings extensive experience in creative education, applied theatre, facilitation and inclusive learning. Sessions are designed to be warm, engaging and accessible, with adaptations discussed in advance.
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The Butterfly Fairies can add storytelling, creativity and a little gentle magic to:
Family fun days
Festivals and fairs
Charity events
Bookshop and library events
School celebrations
Wellbeing days
Community gatherings
Children’s parties
If you are planning an event, please get in touch to discuss the audience, setting and the experience you would like to create.
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The Butterfly Fairies are created to open gentle conversations, not to tell children what they should feel.
You might use a story to ask:
Which part of the story stood out to you?
How do you think the character was feeling?
Have you ever felt that way?
What helped the character?
What could your next small step be?
Which Butterfly Fairy secret would help you today?
Children do not have to answer. Sometimes listening, drawing, playing or returning to the story later can be just as valuable.
The stories and activities support emotional learning and everyday wellbeing but are not a replacement for professional medical, psychological or therapeutic support.
Meet the Creator
Anna-Louise Leyden
Anna-Louise Leyden is an award-winning trainer, author and creative educator who has spent more than two decades helping people find their voice, build confidence and recognise their own strengths.
She began volunteering at the age of 11 and has since delivered workshops and spoken at events in the UK and internationally. Her work brings together storytelling, applied theatre, personal development and real-life tools in ways that feel creative, inclusive and accessible.
Anna-Louise created The Butterfly Fairies to give children gentle stories that do more than entertain. Each story carries a message children can remember and use when life feels difficult, while reminding them that they do not need to become someone else to be brave, calm or confident.
The magic was inside them all along.
The Butterfly Fairies is supported by a family run team
Your Questions, Answered
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The books are written for young children to enjoy with a parent, carer, teacher or other trusted adult. Add your confirmed recommended age range here once decided.
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No. Each story introduces a different butterfly and an individual emotional wellbeing theme, so families can begin with the story that feels most helpful or appealing to their child.
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Use the Buy the Book buttons above to find the available editions and purchasing options. Signed copies and special packs may also be available directly through the website.
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Yes. Signed and personalised copies may be ordered by contacting me directly, subject to availability. Please reach out to me asking for a personalised copy and I will work with you to make it perfect.
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Yes. Butterfly Fairy parties can include storytelling, crafts, imaginative activities and a chosen emotional wellbeing theme. Use the enquiry form to discuss dates, location and requirements.
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Yes. Author visits and creative sessions can be adapted for schools, nurseries, libraries, community groups and events. Please enquire to discuss your setting and audience.
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Anna-Louise aims to make sessions inclusive and accessible. Please share any relevant sensory, communication, mobility or support needs when enquiring so that suitable adaptations can be discussed.
Each book includes a qr code of the book as a relaxing song and video to encourage accesibility of the book. -
Stockist, bulk-order and collaboration enquiries are welcome. Please get in touch with details of your organisation and what you are interested in ordering.