They have an ability, lost to normal sized people, that allows them to influence the minds of big people and threatening animals. They use this to harmlessly blank out encounters, leaving the recipients with vague memories of seeing normal animals, like rabbits and foxes. This is how they have kept their anonymity.

They live in large privately owned, or rarely visited forests and construct their homes under large trees, using the roots for the ceilings.

They live in small 'communes' made up of a few families and in modern days have found 'guardians' who are normal sized humans that dedicate themselves to protecting the Sparks. In return, the Sparks look after the land and trees using their extensive skills.

The Sparks are generally self sufficient, growing a large range of vegetables and fruit. They forage in their woodland and some are fortunate enough to have small rivers and streams where they catch fish to eat.
REVIEWs "What a delightful read, it felt very real, so much so I keep looking out for 'little people' when I'm walking my dog"