Father Harry Spotter is the most alert and watchful creature in Sylvania – and it’s a good job as he has to check there are no wildfires in the forest. As this vital role demands his total concentration, the other Sylvanians have learned not to take it personally if Harry ignores them completely!

Mother Beatrix Spotter, on the other hand, is always warm and friendly. She loves children and is often babysitting as many as twenty at a time. She bakes them fairy cakes and reads them fairy stories – and she counts them every fifteen minutes to make sure they’re all still there!

Brother Alfie Spotter always has his head in a book. He often gets so absorbed in one of his adventure stories that he regularly forgets what day it is and has been known to turn up for school on a Saturday!

Sister Gail Spotter would much rather go for a long walk in the Sylvanian forest than read a book. She particularly enjoys strolling along by the river and picking wild flowers for her mother. After all, that’s how she got her nickname!