Anabell: The fairy tale

Anabell is about a young girl. She is at home among the animals and flowers of the magical mountain Kingdom of Juliana.  One day, Anabell meets Tarragon, who is on a quest to save the Kingdom of the Lake at the End of the World, which is reeling from the effects of a wicked spell. Together, they face several trials and tribulations as they make their way through the Valley of 100 Waterfalls, the Abode of Giants, the Kingdom of Dwarves, the Land of the Long Teeth, and the Valley of the Seven Lakes. With nature lending a helping hand, the vitality of the Kingdom of the Lake at the End of the World is restored.

This fairy tale draws inspiration from the cultural, religious, and mythological inheritance of Slovenia, as well as its pristine nature and profusion of biodiversity. Located at the crossroads of the Alps, the Dinaric Karst, the Pannonian Plain, and the Mediterranean, Slovenia is home to a remarkable level of biodiversity and idyllic landscapes. Each setting in the fairy tale is inspired by a real-life location that I have experienced with all my senses. I have drawn upon Slovene history and culture, particularly its folk and fairy tales, in molding the various characters and flora and fauna that appear within. Each facet of this fairy tale has its roots in the Slovene psyche.

Moving beyond the human–nature dichotomy requires greater recognition of the role of nature and biodiversity in a thriving human society. I hope to instill a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world, “forging an emotional bond” between my readers and the environment.