Goble's Fairy Tale Illustrations

Book excerpt: At the beginning of the twentieth century, there was a rage for colorfully illustrated books—especially fairy tales and fantasy adventures. English artist Warwick Goble (1862–1943), an expert in watercolor techniques, was among the era's premier illustrators. This one-of-a-kind collection gathers the best of his fairy tale imagery, featuring eighty-six visions of memorable scenes from timeless folk tales. The international array of illustrations begins with Charles Kingsley's The Water-Babies, followed by pictures from Grace James's Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales, as well as Folk-Tales of Bengal and the Italian Stories from the Pentamerone. Images inspired by The Fairy Book; The Best Popular Fairy Stories Selected and Rendered Anew include such familiar characters as Little Red-Riding-Hood, Cinderella, Tom Thumb, and Puss in Boots. The collection concludes with imaginative depictions from The Book of Fairy Poetry, including scenes from Shakespeare's fairy classics, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with works by Milton, Tennyson, and other poets. Readers of all ages will cherish this unique book and its splendid combination of art and literature. Original Dover (2008) publication. 96pp. 83/8 x 11. Paperbound. ALSO AVAILABLE Rackham's Fairy Tale Illustrations in Full Color, Arthur Rackham. 64pp. 83/8 x 11. 0-486-42167-8 Nielsen's Fairy Tale Illustrations in Full Color, Kay Nielsen. 64pp. 83/8 x 11. 0-486-44902-5 For current price information write to Dover Publications, or log on to www.doverpublications.com and see every Dover book in print.