Ellen Schwartz's writing often centers on children's literature, though her pieces have also appeared in adult magazines and anthologies. Her style is frequently characterized as accessible and engaging, ensuring her work is both readable and comprehensible for younger audiences. She emphasizes themes that resonate with childhood and education, drawing from her prior experiences teaching special education and primary grades. Her diverse career, including communications consulting and teaching creative writing, lends depth and breadth to her literary output.
The narrative explores the author's transformative experiences as a back-to-the-land hippie homesteader in the Kootenays during the 1970s. Through her reflections, she captures the idealism and challenges of that era, offering insights into a lifestyle rooted in simplicity and self-sufficiency. The memoir delves into the lessons learned and the vibrant community dynamics, painting a vivid picture of a time marked by social change and personal growth.
Abby makes an unlikely friend in her neighborhood--her elderly Japanese neighbor, Mrs. Naka. All spring and summer, the two delight in the robins that live in the maple tree that straddles their yards, following the birds' progress as they nest and the babies hatch and learn to fly. Mrs. Naka teaches Abby how to make tori--origami birds. Later, when Mrs. Naka has an accident, will Abby be able to use her new skill to conjure up a surprise to comfort her ailing neighbor?