‘A Fairy Garland – Being Fairy Tales from the Old French’ contains a collection of stories, written by Charles Perrault, Madame D’Aulnoy and Count Anthony Hamilton. These individuals were among the first writers to bring magical children’s stories into the literary mainstream, proving to their original seventeenth century readers that such works were important, enjoyable, as well as thought-provoking. The stories in this particular text encompass favourites such as Perrault’s ‘Puss in Boots’ and ‘Riquet with the Tuft’ as well as other less well-known classics such as D’Aulnoy’s ‘The Green Dragon’, ‘Princess Rosetta’ and ‘The Blue Bird’ and Count Antony Hamilton’s dazzling ‘Mayblossom’. This edition of ‘A Fairy Garland’ further contains a set of dazzling coloured illustrations by a true master of the ‘Golden Age'; Edmund Dulac (1882 – 1953). A French artist himself, Dulac had a particular affinity with these Old French tales as well as a rigorously painterly background. The end result was beautifully coloured images which further refined the wonderful stories of Perrault, D’Aulnoy and Hamilton – all presented together in this book. Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration. We publish rare and vintage Golden Age illustrated books, in high-quality colour editions, so that the masterful artwork and story-telling can continue to delight both young and old.

Puss in Boots' – Origins of the Fairy Tale from around the World' contains seven different versions of the 'Puss in Boots' story. It includes an in-depth introduction to the fairy tale genre itself, as well as the folkloric provenance of the 'Puss in Boots' story. It encompasses 'Le Maître Chat' by Charles Perrault, Straparola's 'Constantino Fortunato', 'The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat' by the Brothers Grimm, the Indian narrative of 'The Match-Making Jackal', the Scandinavian tale of 'Lord Peter' and Joseph Jacob's 'The Earl of Cattenborough'. What is a fairy tale? The 'Origins of Fairy Tales from around the World' series helps to answer this question, by showcasing the amazing breath and diversity involved in classic fairy tales. It focuses on the unusual phenomenon that the same tales, with only minor variations, appear again and again in different cultures – across time and geographical space. Traditionally told as short stories for children, and for adults too, these popular fairy tales will be sure to delight both young and old. Beautifully illustrated, these story books combine the best story-telling, with the best art-work, in order that the two may be fully appreciated. .