Forest painter Aura never learned the art. It's her job to color the forest in Fall colors, " ... the leaves must breathe with autumn beauty before the frost queen arrives, or she will claim the forest white forever..."
Aura's biggest problem is that she has big shoes to fill, the late grandmother was the master painter. The story does not reveal Aura's age but she seems like an older teenager who suddenly finds herself with huge responsibilities. Though she complains to the pixie at first she overcomes her self-doubts and decides to tackle the task. She does not want to ask Boreal for help because she suspects that he will try to steal the golden paintbrush.

There is wisdom in this story. Aura needs to learn to see with her heart. When things get really tight and she can feel the breath of frost queen she learn to overcome her doubts and ask Boreal for help.
"... She gasped when she realized that this power, this magic of thought, was within herself—she just had to believe. She spread her wings and willingly fell into the waltzing dance of the wind..."

Diane Mae Robinson is a fantastic writer. On " The Forest Painter: A Short Story 'she wraps the lessons of life into an enchanting fairytale that is bound to excite younger and older teenagers. The book's vocabulary is sophisticated.

5 stars
Gisela Hausmann, author and blogger

This twelve page story is written with tenderness and empathy. Robinson has deftly woven personification and alliteration with a cadence of language that is charming. Written for a middle grade audience, it is a sweet and sensitive read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences from beginning reader to adult. Perfect afternoon read to get into the spirit of the changing season. --Barbara Mojica, Author

The author paints with her words, as Aura does with her golden paintbrush, in this magical tale. They sparkle! A short and sweet story of overcoming doubt and believing in yourself that both young and old will enjoy.​-- CLMurphy, Author

Robinson has once again created an inspiring story for our youth to encourage them to believe in themselves. A wonderful short story for children.​ -- SweetCeeCee, Author

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Diane Mae Robinson's short fantasy story for children and preteens, The Forest Painter, is a sweet and magical tale about a young fairy faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Robinson's fable is filled with color and enchantment as Aura is forced to fill shoes that seem very big indeed. Her characters are sympathetic, and the urgency of their situation is contagious. I loved the images Robinson creates of young Aura flinging the paint buckets into the air to try to cope with her very big responsibility; her excitement at seeing her actions make a difference; and her later despair that it is too little too late. Robinson ably builds the tension in this tale as winter approaches and the forest's leaves have not fully changed. The Forest Painter is most highly recommended.