DIRECT CLIMATE COOLING INITIATIVE
THE
BOOKS
Nature needs storytellers
The fairy sprites were created to give nature a voice children could fall in love with - and defend. Fleur wanted to inspire children to care deeply about the Earth, not through fear, but through wonder, empathy, and magical adventures.
Sprites offer a quiet reminder that purpose begins in childhood and grows through imagination. Nature sprites may be fictional, but they are on a very real mission in a very real world: to protect the Four Winds from losing control of the weather and reconnect children with kindness, courage, and the natural world. The theme that runs through all the books is that the collective voice is strongest.
Through the sprites, we want every child to see they have a role in shaping the world, not just inheriting it.
Taken by Storm
Taken by Storm, the first book in The Woodland Sprite Series by Fleur Rossdale, is a magical, thought-provoking tale that blends storytelling with urgent themes of climate action. The story follows Sky and Anil, two young woodland sprites, on a mission to stop the Four Winds from losing control of the weather, rallying humanity to restore balance, uniting nations through a shared love of nature.
Written with warmth, imagination, and purpose, Taken by Storm captures the hearts of readers aged 8–18 and beyond, encouraging a deeper connection to nature and responsibility for its care.
In association with the DCCI School Awards, Fleur has adapted the book into a stage play for schools to perform. This offers students the chance to engage creatively with environmental themes while developing their talents in drama, storytelling, and climate leadership. Schools performing the play are encouraged to host their own awards and participate in real-world climate projects supported by DCCI.
"I was introduced to Fleur and the Direct Climate Cooling Initiative by my cousin, the scientist and meteorologist Professor Alan Gadian. I was blown away by her work in The Woodland Sprite series - particularly the adaptation of her book Taken by Storm as a stage play - and the powerful message of the organisation: to educate the next generation on the catastrophic, global impact of climate change; of our responsibility to work collectively for our environment; but also the message of inspiration and confidence for young people to step forward as our changemakers."
- Wendy Gadian, Musical Director, pianist and educator
The Journey
The Journey, the second book in The Woodland Sprite Series by Fleur Rossdale, is a heartfelt and imaginative adventure that deepens the magical mission of Sky and Anil, young woodland sprites working behind the scenes to help humanity reconnect with nature. Following the events of Taken by Storm, the sprites continue their quest, travelling to the Temple of the Winds in Northern Ireland to help find a way to cool the planet. Travelling to the Pixie Kingdom, the story blends fantasy with real-world environmental action, the sprites planting the beginning of a dream into the mind of a changemaker for him to develop in his own way. The Journey inspires young readers to take action and believe in their power to make a difference. It discusses climate challenges through the story, making it both empowering and accessible for pupils aged 8–18.
"The author creates a simple yet surprisingly unpredictable eco fantasy strategically linking telepathy, mycelium, esoteric traditions and so much more.
Along the kind of hero’s journey that the characters traverse they meet up with a number of real life cutting edge scientists whose visionary work (I’ve known all three personally) could actually help reverse the climate and ecological crises whose manifestations challenge the characters as they encounter and overcome one obstacle after another.
It’s the kind of book that introduces both fascinating and critically important facts and themes with skill and subtlety.
Any young - or older - person reading this book would be blessed with so many important questions to ponder and discuss long after the last page of the book is turned over."
- Herb Simmens, Author of A Climate Vocabulary of the Future
The Farm
The Farm, the third book in The Woodland Sprite Series by Fleur Rossdale, is an inspiring story that takes young readers into the world of regenerative agriculture and global climate action. Sky and Anil journey to Wonderland at the end of the rainbow in Northumberland, discovering the magic of dreams and the wonder of wishes. They learn of real-life farms and projects in Europe and Kenya, discovering how communities work in harmony with nature to restore soil, grow nutritious food, and protect ecosystems.
What sets The Farm apart is its unique blend of fantasy fairies facing facts that follow the science: the story features real people, charities and initiatives practising regenerative farming, giving young readers a hopeful and practical understanding of how change is already happening. The narrative takes on a surreal twist - what is imagined in the story begins to occur in real life, as the DCCI School Awards drive support for the charities and projects described in the book.
Inspired by the book’s themes, senior students are encouraged to present their own fundraising initiatives at the DCCI School Awards. On this platform, they can earn recognition and support for real-world impact. The Farm empowers young people to become active participants in the regenerative movement through storytelling, action, and a global network of like-minded schools.
"The Farm by Fleur Rossdale is a rare literary gem that lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page. From the very first sentence, I was swept into a world so vividly rendered that I could almost smell the earth, feel the sun on my skin, and hear the quiet hum of rural life. Rossdale’s prose is both poetic and precise, painting each scene with a masterful touch that brings the landscape and its inhabitants to life.
What truly sets The Farm apart is its deep emotional resonance and its timely relevance. Beneath the intimate story of family, land, and community, Rossdale weaves a powerful allegory for the environmental challenges facing our civilization. The changing rhythms of farm life, the unpredictability of the seasons, and the characters’ struggle to adapt all echo the urgent realities of climate change and ecological uncertainty.
The Farm itself becomes a microcosm of our world - a place where the consequences of human choices are felt deeply, yet where hope and resilience persist. Through the characters’ connection to the land, the narrative explores not only the fragility of our environment but also the enduring possibility of renewal and stewardship. Rossdale’s attention to the cycles of nature, the impact of droughts and floods, and the delicate balance required to sustain life on the farm all serve as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to care for the earth.
Yet, The Farm is never didactic. Instead, Rossdale invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature and with each other. The story balances moments of quiet beauty with raw, unflinching honesty, offering both a warning and a wellspring of hope. There are passages that made me laugh, others that brought tears to my eyes, and many that left me simply awestruck by Rossdale’s gift for language.
The Farm is not just a story - it’s an experience and a call to awareness. It invites you to slow down, to savor each moment, and to consider the ways in which our choices shape the world for generations to come. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Whether you’re a lover of literary fiction, a fan of evocative settings, or simply looking for a story that will move and inspire you, The Farm by Fleur Rossdale is an absolute must-read."
- Dr Brian von Herzen, Chief Executive, Climate Foundation