Flower Fairies Treasury

Flower Fairies

by Cicely Mary Barker

In 1923 Cicely Mary Barker's first book, Flower Fairies of the Spring, was published. Its immediate success led to the addition of more titles until, twenty-five years later, Cicely had completely the series of Flower Faries books. With each book, Cicely grew in artistic confidence although from the first her accuracy of botanical detail and the delicate charm of her young fairies captivated both children and adults alike.

This beautiful treasury contains a collection of the best-loved Flower Fairies illustrations with their poems. The watercolour illustrations are reproduced from the recently reoriginated printing plates so that their delicacy and detail can be seen to their finest advantage and Cicely's skilled craftsmanship as an artist can be fully appreciated.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Fairies, Fantasy, Picture Books, Classics, Fae

253 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really beautiful book with superb illustrations of many of the common flowers and trees found in Britain. Each plant gets a two-page spread – on one page a botanically correct picture of the plant, accompanied by its particular fairy dressed in the associated petals, leaves and seeds etc. On the opposing page is a short poem about the plant, which sometimes includes alternate name, where and how it grows, and warnings if the plant is poisonous. The poems are sweet, but the pictures are the real draw.
This is a lovely book for a child (or grown-up), which could be used to help identify plants in the garden, parks, out in the countryside, and at the very least, spark an interest in the plants around us.
Definitely recommended as a gift.

[Alana (semi ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've fallen into a Barker phase. Please enjoy my string of 5 stars and fairy obsession.

[˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Hatool - Semi-Hiatus˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

* sigh * The book of my childhood. I would sit on the floor and just stare at the photos for hours without end.

[~☆starlight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds very special meaning to me as my gran bought it for me as a child, as she loves Fairies. My sister and I used to sit and look at the beautiful illustrations for hours picking our favourites, so this book will always hold a special place in my heart. If you are a lover of fairies I definitely recommend this the illustrations are truly beautiful

[Karis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of mine loaned me this sweet, little treasury of Cicely Mary Barker’s flower fairies, and I’ve absolutely enjoyed it. The illustrations are gorgeous, incredibly lifelike, with each fairy’s outfit creatively done to match the flower. My friend uses the book for inspiration in her water color art, for the flowers themselves are extremely accurate and easy to identify. Many times as I was reading, I would from the picture know the flower, but only then learn the name of it. The poetry itself was easy to follow and very old-folkish, which I loved, and it was also full of little tidbits of information that I found fascinating. Cicely Mary Baker was certainly a master artist, and I would highly recommend this collection of her work.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of poems and accompanying illustrations from Barker’s Flower Fairy books. Technically, I read most of these in the original volumes, and just skimmed through to read those from The Flower Fairy Alphabet. As not all the letters are included, I don’t think this is a complete collection. I personally prefer the individual books. I was trying to decide if I should keep it along with the individual volumes, but I think I’d rather track down the last two volumes I don’t have for a set and let this one find another home. Though it is certainly a nice way to have a lot of Barker’s beautiful work in one compact volume.

[Jaymee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood book. I feel like this is more of a book for flower lovers, as the fairies were created to accompany the image of each flower. Rarely are there any visual connection to what the flower is (usually the color), but nevertheless the illustrations of the little girls and boys are a cute addition. I would happily gift this to a kid who has an interest in gardens and flowers, plus a lovely imagination. Albeit strange, I remember liking this book because it made me imagine, of all things, colors more vividly.

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book, absolutely know why it's called a 'treasury'. So many poems, stories, info to connect us to the wonders of the natural world, with pictures to delight us too... maybe to invoke a sense of nostalgia/ inspiration too. Definitely not just for little ones!!! All can treasure this!!!
Thank you Cicely Mary Barker 🙂

[Melos Han-Tani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice life work of one of the artist's long running projects. Fun to see how she imagines a personification of each flower, I liked the ones with the branches, flowers and fruit layered together. Has a fantastical feel to it as well, lightly and dreamily rendered.

[Shae Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic, escapist, and lightly educational. I love the illustrations, and the poems are sweet!

[Sybiee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful poetry book

[bhagyasbookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute delight in a book

[Sirkku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very holesome. It's nice that there's pictures and poems from all the books (or at least most of them?). Really nice pictures absolutely loved them and the hole aesthetic.

[maisie florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so sweet!!! 😭🧚 what a beautiful little book for a lover of plants and magic 🥹 I wish I had this as a child!!!

[Heather Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book!

[Danielle Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nostalgia 💗💗💗

[Mariëlle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read it from cover to cover, but I did enjoy the poems and drawings.

[Sylvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.4 stars
The poems and illustrations are so cute! Very beautiful!!!

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the fairy artwork that I have been looking for several months for Aurora's room. Very beautiful and classic...love it!!! The poetry that goes with each painting is very sweet...I'm not absolutely in love with it but I like it. The whole book is magical, old magic and charming.

[Julia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely illustrated, a joy to look at. An antidote to the current disregard for and lack of interest in the natural world.

[Punkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Just beautiful.😊

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so cute!!