“Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.” ― William Butler Yeats
This may be the most personal Picture Book Companion sharing in that one of my most favorite memories from childhood is that of believing in the fairies and gnomes, reading about them, constructing and repairing villages for them .... in truth even at 39 years old every time I see a tree stump or old log, I see a fairy world. When I notice one covered in lichen, I know it must be one belonging to fairy royalty. There are several books out there, yet below are my treasured favorite. Happy reading and learning together! Many Smiles and Much Love
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies
by Cicely Mary Barker
The beautiful world of the Flower Fairies is captured in the book’s charming poems and whimsical illustrations. From the Acorn Fairy to the Zinnia Fairy, your youngsters will discover the many fairies of nature’s blossoms.
* Cicely Mary Barker loved sharing about the fairy world. This book is but one of 21 books she authored about this magical realm. Indeed her works alone could full this post, ranging from delightful pop-up books, to tea party ones, as well as several fairy activity books. If you have an avid flower fairy lover I certainly recommend looking more of her work - please visit here.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies
by Anna Franklin
Filled with hundreds of exquisite illustrations, this comprehensive directory provides a global, multi-ethnic, multicultural overview of fairies. Nearly 3,000 entries, arranged alphabetically offer glimpses into other worlds and times. There are items from Celtic and Scandinavian traditions, Greek and Norse mythology, Native American culture, the Far East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and more. Cross-referencing makes it easy to explore the themes that span the globe. An extensive introduction explores the origins of fairy folklore and provides general background on common beliefs. This would be an excellent resource when learning about fairy worlds across the world both culturally as well as structurally for a bit older children (7-8 yr olds).
The Book of Fairies: Nature Spirits from Around the World
by Rose Williams
Going along with the above book, here we discover again how fairies are part of the oral tradition of many cultures, and the stories about them often show them as healers, teaching humans the secrets of nature and showing them how to live more harmoniously with each other and the land. This enchanting anthology collects illuminating tales from the fairy realms of eight diverse cultures.
Fairy Houses
by Tracy Kane
An excellent book for fairy house building! Tracy Kane has authored several, and all of them are lovely, this one just happens to be my favorite to share with children. In this story you discover what would happen if you built a house for the fairies to live in? Would they come to visit? Mother Nature wants to get in on the act with her own special cast of characters! Follow Kristen’s story of discovery to its enchanting conclusion. A special section on how to get started with your own fairy house is also included.
Cider Apples
by Sandy Nightingale
In the moments between the old year and the new, Holly's grandma knows that anything might happen--even magic. But is magic strong enough to save the dying trees in the orchard? After carefully mixing a special hot cider and pouring it over old apple tree roots, Holly and her grandmother watch in wonder as fairies appear to work their good magic on the ailing trees
The Story of the Root Children
by Sibylle von Olfer
All through the winter the Root Children are asleep underground, but when spring comes Mother Nature wakes them up. Then the Root Children are busy cleaning and painting the beetles and bugs. When summer comes they play in the fields, ponds and meadows. My graduate professor for early childhood literature, a magical man himself, regarded this book as one of his all time favorite tales to share with children. I agree.
Good Night Fairies
by Kathleen Hague
At bedtime, a child’s mother tells him all about the magical world of fairies. Lush illustrations capture the lives of the fairies — they sleep on leaves in secret gardens, draw rainbows to brighten rainy days, and hang stars in the sky for the children’s nightlight.
Children of the Forest
by Elsa Beskow
The children of the forest live deep in the roots of an old pine tree. They collect wild mushrooms and blueberries and shelter under toadstools when it rains. They play with the squirrels and frogs, and when fall comes, they collect and prepare food to see them through the long winter, until the warm spring breeze starts to blow. As with so many picture books the illustrations make it as much as the tale.
The Hidden Folk: Stories of Fairies, Dwarves, Selkies, and Other Secret Beings
by Lise Lung-Larsen
Selkies, fairies, gnomes, hill folk, and river sprites fill this wonderful book. Perhaps among the flowers, beside a mountain, or near deep waters you’ve caught a glimpse, once or twice, of what you thought might be the silvery shadow of a dwarf, or a hint of a fairy’s wing, or the tail of the water horse. Or was it just the odd light of dusk or dawn playing tricks? This charming book explores the world of the little nature kings and queens all around us.
A Field Guide To Fairies
by Susannah Marriott
Fairies live all around us, yet these strange and mysterious creatures are reluctant to be seen by humans. Discover all their secret hiding places in this enthralling guide to fairy lore from around the world.
Fairies: A Magical Guide to the Enchanted Realm
by Alison Maloney
Each beautifully illustrated spread in this wonderful book explores an aspect of fairy lore, from Fairyland to fairy magic and mischief. Learn about the most famous of these characters, from Tinker Bell to the bad fairy from Sleeping Beauty, take a peek inside a typical fairy's home, and find out how to look for fairy clues at the bottom of your garden.
The Way of Gnome - Tales of Limindoor Woods
by Sieglinde De Francesca
Meet young Gus and join him on his journey into the enchantments, magic and lessons of Limindoor Woods. And throughout this splendid book are found the universal Ways that are taught to gnomes everywhere - five wise and kind principles that can also inspire us humans as we guide the growth and well-being of our own little ones.
**This is a gorgeous 165 pg chapter book suggested as a read aloud or ages 6 and up.
Lunette, The True Story of the Tooth Fairy
by Robin Cruise
Little Lunette has many talents—sewing, collecting shiny things, and making friends. But she can't quite see how these things will help her become something truly special. Then, one day, she meets a human boy who's quite scared to lose his first tooth. Through their friendship and a little fairy magic, of course, Lunette discovers her unique talent and changes the world forever. This remains one of the most beautiful and detailed stories on the tooth fairy I have seen.
The Complete Gnomes
by Rein Poortvliet and Wil Huygen
This is one of my all time favorite books. It offers a rich account of the life and work of gnomes, based upon first-hand often scientific observations as well as a glimpse into the culture and life of Lapland.
Illustrations from books left to right:
The Complete Gnomes, The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies, Children of the Forest
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