AUBURN — On Thursday, April 7, Maureen Heffernan, author of the recent Down East book, “Fairy Houses of the Maine Coast,” will visit Auburn Public Library to discuss the growing popularity of fairy houses in coastal Maine locales.

Equal parts craft activity, folk art and Maine cultural phenomenon, fairy houses are whimsical miniature dwellings fashioned from natural materials and various found objects. They seem to have originated spontaneously on a few Maine islands and then spread to other spots along the coast. In recent years, they have become a popular feature at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay and the object of summer festivals. With their ability to evoke imaginary worlds and the timeless beauty of the Maine coast in summer, they appeal across generations to adults and children alike.

Heffernan is executive director of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Her previous publications include four Burpee gardening books and “Hershey Children’s Garden: A Place to Grow.” In “Fairy Houses of the Maine Coast,” she delves into the rich folklore of garden and wood faeries while showcasing charming and creative examples of the fairy house form. Copies of the book will be available for signing and purchase.

This free brown bag lunch program will take place at noon in the Library’s Androscoggin Community Room. Attendees are welcome to bring a bagged lunch, or to order out at The Library Café; the Library will supply drinks and homemade cookies for dessert. For more information about this program, please call the Library reference desk at 333-6640, ext. 4.