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Flower Fairies

The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies

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Enjoy the classic, complete collection of Cicely Mary Barker's original Flower Fairies books in this brand-new edition. This collector's favorite has been redesigned and now features a lavish, eye-catching jacket with silver foil. The interior still includes all of the well-loved illustrations and poems from Barker's eight original books, as well as a selection of fairy rhymes.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

56 people are currently reading
2749 people want to read

About the author

Cicely Mary Barker

271 books324 followers
Cicely Mary Barker was the illustrator who created the famous Flower Fairies; those ethereal smiling children with butterfly wings. As a child she was influenced by the works of the illustrator Kate Greenaway, whom she assiduously copied in her formative years. Her principal influence, however, was the artwork of the Pre-Raphaelites.

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5 stars
1,171 (60%)
4 stars
501 (25%)
3 stars
210 (10%)
2 stars
39 (2%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
Profile Image for Calista.
5,432 reviews31.3k followers
November 17, 2019
This collection contains the fairy books:

Flower Fairies of the Spring
Flower Fairies of the Summer
Flower Fairies of the Autumn
Flower Fairies of the Winter
Flower Fairies of the Garden
Flower Fairies of the Trees
Flower Fairies of the Wayside
A Flower Fairy Alphabet

It’s a lovely bound book and this is what I would like to own instead of individually.
Profile Image for Susan.
3,017 reviews570 followers
December 10, 2016
This is a new edition of a previously published book. My daughter has the earlier version and I purchased the newer version for my niece, as they both adore it. Both are hardback, with good quality paper and includes the original books: Flower Fairies of the Spring, Flower Fairies of the Summer, Flower Fairies of the Autumn, Flower Fairies of the Winter, Flower Fairies of the Garden, Flower Fairies of the Trees, Flower Fairies of the Wayside and A Flower Fairy Alphabet.

None of my children have ever liked the paper covers on hardback and always remove them, so I was pleased to see that this has a nice cover underneath (some hardbacks just have plain cloth covers, but this looks good with or without the slip cover). There is a useful index, an introduction about Cicely Mary Barker – which is fairly short but long enough that most children will probably read it - and (of course) the poems and the pictures are just gorgeous. My daughter and niece not only love the poems and illustrations – but they enjoy copying the drawings.

I think this collection is just wonderful and one of the books my daughter pores over the most. Not only does it work as a collection of poems, but it also helps teaches children about flowers and plants and enriches nature for them. I think it is a must for every child’s bookshelf – beautiful and just as enchanting as when the first book appeared in 1923.






Profile Image for Lia Strange.
648 reviews263 followers
May 9, 2025
yo AMO las hadas, como buena chica de la patagonia (re mentirosa, solo vivi dos años ahi) las hadas son cosa serie y este libro? ES PRECIOSO




aca hay un link para leerlo: (por que no se consigue)
https://archive.org/details/completeb...
Profile Image for MarinaLawliett.
545 reviews54 followers
January 13, 2024
Qué cosa más bonita de libro!
Me ha encantado conocer a la autora 🥺 vivo enamorada de cada uno de los poemas y dibujos!
Ahora solo quiero postalitas o recopilación de sus dibujos
Profile Image for Tiffany.
130 reviews29 followers
October 20, 2008
I received a Flower Fairies calendar when I was young and saved all of the art from it, because I loved it so much. I was ecstatic when I found this book, which is a compilation of many smaller books that Cicely Barker created. Barker was a Victorian age artist and poet.

The book is separated into categories (of the original books)--Spring Flowers, Summer Flowers, etc. Each page features a particular flower with it's fairy, and a poem about the flower. Barker does a beautiful job with the details--they were considered equal to "botanist" standards at the time (since things were drawn more than photographed in her time). The fairies are beautiful Victorian children, scaled to size, with a set of wings and clothes made from parts of the plant. The poetry, while not the best I've ever read, is sweet and often clever.

If you have a little girl or ever loved fairies yourself, this is a great book to have. The artwork is not like some of the freakish fantasy fanatic stuff that you usually think of. And actually, even my boys (ages 2-8) don't mind me reading this to them. The lyrical text always grabs their attention, and they love finding plants that they recognize.
Profile Image for Hannah Kelly.
400 reviews109 followers
April 13, 2018
Gorgeous book. A lovely addition to any child's library.
Profile Image for Ashley Dow.
87 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Complete Book of The Flower Fairies” by Cecily Mary Barker in midsummer. 🧚🏻‍♀️🩷✨

The childlike feelings that I had definitely came in as I turned each page. I was mesmerized by the illustrations, the detail on every single page, and the beautiful words that describe the flower fairies. Barker's poetry and artwork seamlessly transport readers into a whimsical world where fairies dwell among flowers, evoking a sense of wonder and nostalgia. This collection is a delightful escape and a perfect read for anyone looking to reconnect with the magic of nature and childhood. 💖

Profile Image for Kathryn.
4,784 reviews
April 22, 2021
I've loved the Flower Fairies for as long as I can remember and always thought it was nice that she had both boy and girl fairies. I appreciate it even more now that I'm a mom to boys. I'm so happy my boys liked this enough to revisit it several times. CMB's fairies are full of exuberance and joy (and, sometimes, the gentle pause of contemplation) love of nature and the wonder of childhood. Some of them are even spunky and scrappy in the most lovable way. I just adore them. If I'm being honest, some of the poems are better than others, but I love the whole concept so much and the art is always five stars in my book. The Flower Fairies have become a bit commercialized and there are many derivative books out there now and many only use use pieces of her artwork ignoring the poetry or using only a few tidbits. This collection is most complete and authentic that I've found, though reading a review elsewhere it sounds like editions pre-1990s are best as even these "complete" books in recent years have left out a few of the fairies.
Profile Image for Anna.
3 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2022
I love this book so much, I read it all the time as a child and I still enjoy it now.
Profile Image for Celine Uijthoven.
21 reviews
January 12, 2022
Such a delightful read! Gorgeous drawings and poems which evoke serenity and happiness. I also enjoyed the fact that Cicely Mary Barker added some interesting tidbits about the flora which she depicted in her stores. Absolutely loved it! ❤️
Profile Image for Holly.
300 reviews6 followers
February 16, 2025
I think I read some of these when I was a kid. I got the whole collection on thrift books and read it today! Beautiful art, sweet little fairies, lovely poems.
Profile Image for Naomi.
129 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2024
Wat een prachtig boek. De gedichtjes zijn vermakelijk, hoewel ze allemaal in dezelfde stijl zijn en daardoor niet erg afwisselend. Maar de tekeningen: oh, ik smelt! Ik vind de flower fairies zo mooi, en dit boek is alleen al een aanrader om doorheen te bladeren en gelukkig van te worden.
Profile Image for Monique Snyman.
Author 27 books132 followers
June 24, 2014

It's not every day that Killer Aphrodite reviews picture books or children's books, but The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker is very special. This new edition, with a pretty new cover - published by Penguin Books South Africa - will make you nostalgic for your youth, and will remind you of all the beauty in the world without needing to step a foot outside. The beautiful artwork is accompanied by the original poetry by Barker, which not only tells you more about the fairy in question, but also shows that painting with poetry is an art form that's no longer as pure as it was.


It's a beautiful book that should be included in every little girl's library.
This particular edition includes:

* Flower Fairies of the Spring
* Flower Fairies of the Summer
* Flower Fairies of the Autumn
* Flower Fairies of the Winter
* Flower Fairies of the Garden
* Flower Fairies of the Trees
* Flower Fairies of the Wayside
* A Flower Fairy Alphabet

The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies is a charming book, which will have your little one entertained for hours with the beautiful art work and wonderful poetry. And it'll make a wonderful gift too, so keep that in mind. On the other hand, if you don't have any kids in your life, nobody will blame you if you get it for yourself. I mean, we all have guilty pleasures and this edition is so wonderful ... so, why not?

Profile Image for Joanna.
19 reviews
April 24, 2008
Beautiful and breathtaking!!!the whole Flower Fairies series is thoroughly amazing from start to finish. The artist`s skill brings all her paintings to life, there is not one fairy that is not beautiful,unique,fascinating and completely delicious. Perfect for anyone with imagination and love of things that well,are not real.Every little girl that I know has completely fallen in love with it and its characters.And if you know (or have) a little girl who likes this sort of thing than it is a absolute MUST!
Profile Image for Sariah.
168 reviews
August 11, 2010
This book is charming, so true to children. An important factor to it's charm is that CMB drew the picture and then wrote the poems, truly capturing the personality of it all. It was also very fun, because I took turns reading the poems with my neice, who sometimes put them to her own tunes. I want to own this book!
Profile Image for Amalie .
783 reviews207 followers
August 17, 2019
Reading this was an absolutely magical experience. I wonder whether fairies really did exist before Ms. Baker brought them to life through her imagination. She is an amazing artist, poet, botanist, and obviously a nature lover.

If someone is interested in seeing/purchasing these pictures of this collection (without the poems) should go to http://www.flowerfairyprints.com
Profile Image for Arlette.
160 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2010
I love these little poems of little fairies in their little flower garments. Though I'm not really interested in gardening, I do like knowing that Cicely Mary Barker drew all of the plants botanically correct. It adds to the magic, in my view.
Profile Image for Beverly.
5,955 reviews4 followers
June 17, 2019
I loved the poetry and the brilliant illustrations. It is too bad that Barker did not have access to the internet, or she would have found flowers for "U" and "X": "ursinia" and "xylobium." However, still a great collection.
Profile Image for Skye Lauren.
298 reviews30 followers
July 25, 2024
Gorgeous in every way. Barker’s illustrations have long been inspiring to me as an artist, and her poetry is filled with wonder and childhood nostalgia. This is such a fun one to lay back with and just enjoy on a calm, cozy night.🌼🌸🌷

We read this for book club this month and I can’t wait to gush about it at our fairy festival!🧚🏻
Profile Image for Emma .
121 reviews
April 9, 2022
Gorgeous illustrations - Beautiful poems - Helped me identify loads of flowers!

Favourite poem: The Song of the Windflower Fairy
Profile Image for Sara.
223 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2023
Adorable and very nostalgic drawings accompanied by sweet little poems 🌷
Profile Image for Lois.
245 reviews45 followers
October 16, 2023
Sweet poems but the illustrations take the book above and beyond. This was a lovely read aloud.
Profile Image for Maia Hunter.
25 reviews
September 11, 2025
I just need to remember what this was called and buy it for myself to have when I move back out. A true comfort classic for child-me and adult/me alike
Profile Image for Meiri.
54 reviews
January 4, 2025
A lovely book!
I've always admired Cicely Mary Barker's beautiful illustrations of fairies, now reading her poems alongside with the pictures was a wonderful experience!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews

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