Hazel and Rusty’s Holistic Tales
Hazel & Rusty's Holistic Tales is an Australian children's book series about curiosity, connection and discovering the world around us, written and illustrated by Jaya R. Fox.
What is Hazel and Rusty’s Holistic Tales about?
Hazel and Rusty's Holistic Tales is a children's picture book series that follows Hazel and her fox companion, Rusty, as they explore Willowshade Woods and meet a wonderful group of friends.
Each character has something different to share about courage, curiosity, using out imagination and creativity, caring for ourselves, our communiy, the land and so much more.
As the series grows, each book will spend time with one of these characters and explore their story more deeply.
The very first book, The Journey Through WillowshadeWoods, is their introduction.
It's where readers first meet Hazel, Rusty and all the friends they'll be visiting throughout the series.
Why did I write these books?
If you've been following Mindful Wild Steps for a while, you'll probably recognise many of these ideas.
Over the years I've watched children light up while climbing trees, building cubbies, planting seeds, sitting quietly beside a creek, learning about herbs, caring for animals, solving problems together and simply having the freedom to be free, creative and curious.
These moments shape confidence, resilience, creativity, empathy and a genuine connection with ourselves, our community and the world around us.
Those experiences became the inspiration for these books.
A peek into what's ahead...
A little peek into the dream...
Although The Journey Through Willowshade Woods is the first book, it has always been part of a much bigger dream. Willowshade Woods was created as a place children can keep returning to, meeting familiar friends, discovering new adventures and growing alongside the characters they come to know.
Book Series
Book One introduces Hazel, Rusty and many of the residents of Willowshade Woods. Future books will follow different characters more deeply, with each story exploring the values, strengths and ways of experiencing the world that each character represents.
Audiobooks
I’d love each story to become an audiobook too, bringing Willowshade Woods to life through expressive storytelling. Families could listen at bedtime, in the car, during quiet time or while following along with the physical book.
Character Puppets
The characters have been created in a way that can move beyond the page. One day I’d love to offer Hazel, Rusty and their friends as puppets, giving children a way to act out the stories and create their own adventures.
Storytelling Sets
Storytelling sets could pair books with puppets, props or small world pieces, helping children explore the story through play, movement, imagination and conversation.
Nature Activities
Many of the stories naturally connect with outdoor play, nature connection and hands-on discovery. I’d love to create nature activities that families can do after reading, bringing each adventure into the real world.
Printable Resources
Printable resources could include activity sheets, character pages, colouring pages, reflection prompts, simple nature journals and little extras that help children spend more time with each story.
Home Education Packs
Because the stories explore so many real-world ideas, they could grow into home education packs with activities, discussion prompts, nature tasks and creative projects connected to each character.
Classroom Resources
I’d love teachers and facilitators to be able to use the books in meaningful ways too, with classroom resources around kindness, resilience, sustainability, imagination, emotional awareness and community.
Themed Book Collections
As more stories are released, I’d love to create themed collections such as Adventure, Sustainability, Wellbeing, Friendship or Creativity, allowing families to choose the books that speak most to where their child is at.
Sensory Companions
There is so much room for tactile, sensory-friendly companions inspired by the characters and world of Willowshade Woods. These could become comforting little pieces of the story that children can hold, carry and return to.
And Willowshade Woods keeps growing...
Every new adventure reveals another little piece of the forest. New friends. New homes. New stories. I hope that years from now, children will still be discovering places they have yet to visit, while returning to the characters that first welcomed them into Willowshade Woods.
Thank you for being here before Book One has even reached little hands. It means more than you probably realise, and I am so excited to share this journey with you.
Step into
Willowshade Woods
Meet the Main Characters
Every adventure through Willowshade Woods begins with two very special friends.
Meet Hazel
Hazel
Hazel is a curious, kind-hearted girl who loves exploring Willowshade Woods. She has a gentle heart, always makes time for others, and believes everyone deserves to feel like they belong.
Whether she is helping a friend, discovering something new, or simply stopping to notice the little things, Hazel reminds us that kindness, empathy and friendship help communities grow stronger.
Values: Belonging • Kindness • Empathy • Friendship
Meet Rusty
Rusty
Rusty is Hazel’s playful fox companion. His nose is always leading him towards hidden treasures, winding paths and exciting discoveries.
Curious, clever and full of adventure, Rusty reminds us that some of life’s greatest discoveries begin with a little wonder.
Values: Curiosity • Wonder • Playfulness • Resilience
Friends of Willowshade Woods
Hazel and Rusty share Willowshade Woods with many wonderful friends, each representing different values, strengths and ways of experiencing the world.
Ancient wisdom and the stories that connect generations.
Caring for the earth with patience and kindness.
Trying new things and finding confidence.
Imagination, wonder and playful thinking.
Thoughtful problem solving and preparation.
Stillness, self-awareness and inner peace.
Quiet strength, resilience and steady growth.
Adaptability, emotional regulation and embracing change.
Honouring yourself and celebrating individuality.
Gentle care, healing and nurturing others.
Observation, presence and communicating in different ways.
More adventures are waiting...
Every Hazel & Rusty book explores a new adventure through Willowshade Woods, where each story celebrates different values, strengths and ways of experiencing the world through memorable characters, meaningful friendships and the magic of nature.
Where things are up to
After years of writing, rewriting, illustrating, re-illustrating and bringing Willowshade Woods to life, the creative side of Book One is finally complete. It's honestly a little surreal to be at this stage.
Right now I'm working through the final publishing steps before Hazel and Rusty can make their way into the world. There's still a little way to go, but every step brings that first printed book a little closer.
Help Bring Hazel & Rusty Into the World
Hazel & Rusty's Holistic Tales has been written, illustrated and slowly brought together over the last few years. Now it is moving into the final publishing stage.
✓ ISBN registration
✓ Proof copies
✓ Professional printing
✓ Bringing Book One into children’s hands
Every contribution, whatever the size, helps move Hazel and Rusty one step closer to becoming a real book families can hold, read and share.
Join Hazel & Rusty’s Journey
I’d love to keep you updated as Hazel and Rusty make their way into the world. Pop your details below if you’d like to hear when the first book is ready, see behind-the-scenes progress, or follow future stories from Willowshade Woods.