The Allies’ Fairy Book contains a selection of traditional fairy tales from the participants of World War One – compiled and edited by Edmund Gosse in 1916. It includes the tales of: ‘Jack the Giant Killer’ (English); ‘The Battle of the Birds’ (Scottish); ‘Lludd and Llevelys’ (Welsh); ‘The Sleeping Beauty (French); ‘Cesarino and the Dragon’ (Italian); ‘What came of picking flowers’ (Portuguese); ‘The Tongue-Cut Sparrow’ (Japanese); ‘Frost’ (Russian); ‘The Golden Apple-Tree and the Nine Peahens’ (Serbian), and many more. The book further contains a series of dazzling colour and black-and-white illustrations – by a master of the craft; Arthur Rackham (1867-1939). One of the most celebrated painters of the British Golden Age of Illustration (which encompassed the years from 1850 until the start of the First World War), Rackham’s artistry is quite simply, unparalleled. Throughout his career, he developed a unique style, combining haunting humour with dream-like romance. Presented alongside the text of the ‘Allied Fairy Book’, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Gosse’s carefully compiled anthology. Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children’s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.

One of the most renowned and best-loved illustrators of his day, English artist Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) brought countless stories and fairy tales to life though his vivid imagination and eye for telling details. Combining a sensitive use of line and subdued watercolors, he skillfully depicted forests of startling trees with claw-like roots, wholesome fairy maidens, monsters, and demons, and backgrounds filled with obscure figures. His inspired illustrations for the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm (1900) brought him his first great success, with a long and distinguished career to follow. This collection of 55 full-color plates, reproduced from rare early editions, contains a rich selection of Rackham's best fairy tale images: a giant terrorizing the inhabitants of an isolated village in English Fairy Tales, a wicked witch greeting two lost children on her doorstep in Hansel and Gretel, a young maiden beset by snarling wolves in Irish Fairy Tales, and many more, including illustrations from Snowdrop and Other Tales, Little Brother and Little Sister, and The Allies' Fairy Book.

This beautiful collection of fairy tales includes stories from around the world. Alongside familiar tales from England and France - "Jack the Giant-Killer" and "Sleepy Beauty" - are lesser known fairy tales, such as: "Cesarino and the Dragon" from Italy, Japan's "The Adventures of Little Peachling," the Serbian tale of "The Golden Apple-Tree and the Nine Peahens," and many more.Accompanied by the distinctive and imaginative illustrations of Arthur Rackham, this collection is sure to delight a whole new generation of readers.

No. 171 of an edition limited to 1030 copies signed by the author.

Discover the magic of classic English folklore with "English Fairy Tales" by Flora Annie Webster Steel. Immerse yourself in a world of enchantment as timeless stories unfold, filled with mischievous sprites, valiant heroes, and wise old women. From the familiar to the forgotten, these tales capture the heart of English mythology. Let the enchanting voices of these characters transport you to a realm of wonder, where dreams take flight and wishes come true.