Tag Archives: #Children’sBooks

The Perils of Pauline were no Bayne in her life

Artist and illustrator Pauline Diana Baynes was born in Hove, East Sussex, on 9 September, 1922. She grew up in Agra, India, where her father worked as a commissioner for the Indian Civil Service. Her summers were spent at the … Continue reading

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Ernest Aris and the story of a fierce bad rabbit

Author and illustrator of children’s books Ernest Aris was born Alfred Ernest Walter George Aris, in Islington, London on 22nd April, 1882. He attained a Diploma from the Bradford Technical College and School of Art in 1900 and conducted further studies at the … Continue reading

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Timely advice from a Caterpillar?

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll  is celebrating its 150th anniversary of publication. The depictions shown here are from an edition which was illustrated by  A.H. Watson, aka Alice Helena Watson who was born … Continue reading

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A Moomin of Truth

The author and illustrator of the Moomin family books was Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author Tove Jansson. Spending time in both Sweden and Finland, Tove Marika Jansson was born in Helsinki on 9th August, 1914. Brought up … Continue reading

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Milly-Molly-Mandy Rides Again

Does anyone remember the “Milly-Molly-Mandy” book series by British writer/illustrator, Joyce Lancester-Brisley?  Starting out as a young writer, Joyce, at the age of 13, wrote her first fairy story and published it in a children’s paper.  After the family moved … Continue reading

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May the Angel of Love Call Upon You

In 1878, Amy Millicent Sowerby was born in Northumberland to the designer and children’s book illustrator John G. Sowerby. He was fond of illustrating in a similar style to that of Kate Greenaway; later on he turned to landscape art. … Continue reading

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Trust but in whom take care

Inset is from “The true story of the Amazing adventure of Philip Ashton of his capture by pirates and of his escape” which is one of the illustrations by William Nickless  for the Daily Mail Boys Annual.  William Nickless began … Continue reading

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What wonders you will discover, if you go “Through the Magic Gate”

Czech illustrative artist, Jiří Trnka  was born 102 years ago on 24 February 1912 in Plzeň. Originally interested in puppet-making, he became a student of Josef Skupa at the School of Applied Arts in Prague (Academy of Architecture, Art and … Continue reading

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Magpie Magpie

Magpie, Magpie! (Translated from the Russian Folk Rhyme) is a story by Irina Zheleznova and illustrated by Y. Vasnetsov. I cannot find anything about the illustrator but the pictures are fantastic. The story goes: “Magpie Magpie tell me, pray where have … Continue reading

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The Gown of Cobweb Lace

Australian “Fairy Artist“, Peg Maltby was born Agnes “aka Peg” Newberry Orchard on January 17, 1899.  She married George Bradley Maltby on September17, 1917 and the pair migrated to Australia from the UK in 1924. Whilst living in the Melbourne … Continue reading

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Little Cock Feather Frock

Little Cock Feather Frock is a Russian folk tale for children, adopted by A.N. Tolstoi. The version I am referring to is translated from the Russian language by Eugene Felgenhauer and illustrated by E. Rachev, from the Soviet Children’s Library printed … Continue reading

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The Bear Necessities of Rupert

Rupert Bear was a children’s newspaper comic strip character created by English artist, Mary Tourtel. Rupert first appeared in the The Daily Express newspaper on 8th November 1920. His mission was to win sales from the rival newspapers of the time – The Daily … Continue reading

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Hedging your bets on race results – a hare-raising story

Children’s books, and parables are a great way to teach our young the tenets that will help build and prepare them for the rigours of adulthood. Regardless of whether you do this by reading to them from modern stories, or … Continue reading

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