The Wee Folk: About the Elves in Nova Scotia

This collection of original children's stories was first published by Brunswick Press in 1953 and then appeared in five more editions with known dates of 1953 (1st edition), 1956 (3rd), 1958 (4th), 1963 (5th), and 1964 (6th). No information has been gleaned about the second edition. Later editions were also published in the Maritimes in 1964 by Rolph-Clark-Stone, Maritimes, and in 1971 by Talbot Press. The frequency of editions suggests the book's popularity, although there are no sales records to confirm this. 

The book comprises four interconnected, secular stories that span a year from Christmas to Christmas: "Xmas in Teaberry Hollow," "The Elves Hold a Convention," "The Woodcarver," and "Wee Danny of the Velvety Green." The stories centre on the elfin village of Teaberry Hollow that is set near a lighthouse. Humans are mostly absent from the tales, although Santa and Mrs. Claus are featured in the first story, and a six-year-old boy, Bernie, who lives in a lighthouse and is a friend of the elves, appears in the second. The content is intended for younger children (grades K-2), but the text is plentiful and lends itself to being read aloud. 

Availability: Rare/fair. UNB Libraries owns a copy of the 1958 edition. Copies of the books are reasonably available in the used book trade, but a few are held in OCLC libraries and none by the New Brunswick Public Library Service.