The Royal Diaries Series

Hi all!

This is kind of a departure from my usual posts in a way, however, I loved this series when I was younger and am in the process of getting hold of more of the titles. The Royal Diaries Series came from the Dear America Books and became quite popular in the early 2000s. Written by various different orders, each one was written as the fictional journal of a real life princess, there were countless books in the series and I used to borrow them from our local library in primary school.

I only have two of them at the moment:

The two titles I have are Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess and Elisabeth: The Princess Bride. I loved these books as a kid, not only because I was a history buff; but also because they featured pretty gilded pages.

I also read:

Victoria: The May Blossom of Britannia and Kaiulani: The People's Princess

(Hopefully I'll buy myself some copies real soon, since these were also favourites of mine!)

These ones also come highly recommended:

They've since been repackaged (in a way that I am not fond of, haha) and look like so: 

I just don't think they are nearly as inviting as the 2002 versions - no guilded pages! But I do think they're great books for young girls who are passionate about history.

Tales From Everywhere by Mae Broadley

Hi all!

I received my copy of Tales From Everywhere not too long ago and was (as usual) delighted with the images - and the fact that I had once again received what I'd been hoping for. I am always nervous when ordering titles illustrated by Janet and Anne, for fear they're mislabeled etc. Much like some of their earlier books, the details are a little sparse; but the quality remains on par. 

The book features stories from Australia (yay!) Africa,China, Russia, Mexico and many more. In case you are looking for a copy (there are some on Ebay at the moment) the SBN is 72350699X.

The Fairy Fishermen (New Zealand) love the early evening stars and dusk colours.

These illustrations from The Swans of Islay (Scotland) are probably some of my favourites. 

Above: The Story of Semerwater (England)

How the Tribes Began (Nigeria) how magical does this look?

The Two Brothers and the Little Mother: I love this image!

The Way Things Happen (Mexico)

A Friend for Man: Love the explosive use of colour and the details of the animals (even the creepy snake!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Image Request For Amber T

A long time ago, a user by the name of Amber T ask me to post a picture from Stories from Hans Christian Andersen, I have been meaning to post it, so here it is:

From The Wild Swans.

So Disappointed!

I got an email today from one of the sellers I purchase books from, informing that my Seven Rainbow Tales Book was damaged in transit and therefore, is in unacceptable condition. I am so disappointed, I was so looking forward to pouring over the pages, now they've told me to select another book; but I am struggling to find anything I want at present.

Sigh....

I'll have to decide whether I want a refund or another book soon.

Hope you're all well!

Ordered some more Johnstone Books - Woohoo!

So today I ordered two more books illustrated by the Johnstone sisters! I've managed to find copies of Tales from Everywhere and Seven Rainbow Stories, to say I excited is an understatement, I am practically beaming. Each of their illustration is in it's own a masterpiece, so I can't wait to see what surprises are in store. I am also slowly whittling down my "priority" book list.

I'll keep you posted!

Dean's Gift Book of Fairy Tales - The Johnstone Sisters

Okay, so now I want to look at Dean's Gift Book of Fairy Tales illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone. This book... I can't even express how important it is to me. It's probably one of the most well know books by the pair and if you search through google you will see a plethora of images.

 Cinderella

Remember in one of my first posts I said I love book exchanges? This book is the complete reason. When I was four or five years-old in the 90s, my mother and aunt would regularly go to this book exchange, right near the centre of town. It was in this old 70s building with a faint lime green tiles, big glass windows and doors. My mother promised I would be able to pick one book, any book I wanted, so while they were looking I came across a box on one of the many tables. I was absolutely smitten with the cover, I had never seen a book like that before, the illustrations just stopped me in my tracks. I ended up begging her to let me get it and since it was (for memory) only four or so dollars she couldn't say no. I've had it ever since. I went through stages of trying to replicate the illustrations; but now more than anything it's a book I pull out on rainy days. The old book exchange is no longer there, instead the tiny little mall has begun a junk shop, selling cheap clothing, shoes and foreign films, which is kind of sad.

This illustration from Babes in the Wood is probably one of my top 2 favourites in the book. I even drew my own version of this and gave it to a dear friend at one point.

This would be another favourite of mine as a child. From Sleeping Beauty. It just looks so magical.

The book features eight famous fairy tales from Tom Thumb to Hansel and Gretel. (Above) is an image from Puss in Boots, even all these years later the detail in these images still takes my breath away, just the finery of the costuming and details of both the humans and animals. I took this book to university once, as part of my children's literature course and the entire class fell in love with it as well, one other student also brought another book with her Anne's illustrations of Peter Pan. Which I'll share later.

This is the only variation of Aladdin where I have seen it set in Asia as opposed to the traditional Arabian Nights of the Middle-East.

Another stunning image, this one from Beauty and the Beast, if you have lost your copy or would like to buy a copy of this book, that is easily purchasable on Amazon/Ebay, the ISBN is: 603 07501 0

Thanks for stopping by!

The Orchard Book of Stories from the Ballet - Angela Barrett

Hi all!

I bought this book recently, I like to buy books with lovely illustrations and wonderful stories, so this one appealed to me immensely. As I've said before I love ballet, I love theatre, and most of all I love folk and fairy tales. The Orchard Book of Stories from the Ballet was first published in 1994, however my copy is the 2003 edition and is written by Gerald McCaughrean. As far as I am aware, beyond the cover art, the editions are identical. The ISBN is 1 8362 298 X. Orchard do many educational books, that are very much similar to Osborne books, although I must admit I still prefer Osborne's abounding range.

                                Angela Barrett's illustrations from outset are incredible.

Love this image of the sun glistening across the water in Swan Lake.

Coppelia

Ultimately, the book ten ballet stories including Romeo and Juliet, La Sylphide and Petrouchka.

A very haunting image from Gisele.

 Have I mentioned how much I love The Nutcracker?!

This image from The Firebird is probably my favourite in the entire book. If you love her illustrations I would suggest you check out her illustrations in Josephine Poole's picture book Anne Frank. Very moving.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Big Golden Book of Fairy Tales - Illustrated by Beverlie Manson

Hi all,

You may wonder what has kept me from you for such a long time. Three words. Second. Year. Uni. Sigh. I wish I were more present this year, almost half of it has already gone by, I'll definitely have to sort myself out and become more present with my blog updates! But I am sure you understand how life can be.

Today I am going to share with you another book by illustrated by Beverlie Manson and written by Lorne Leete-Hodge. It's The Big Golden Book of Fairy Tales published first in 1978 and then republished in 1981. In case anyone has lost their copy or would like to purchase one online the ISBN is: 0-307-95545-1

I found pictures of this fairy tale collection online and was really loving the illustrations. After that I spent a few weeks trying to track down the books info, so I could buy one. And now for the important stuff!

In terms of styling, I felt like this collection was the most Manson's work has ever reflected the work of the Johnstone sisters, I felt like her later work wasn't nearly as detailed. As you will see if you go back to this entry: http://magicalvintagechildrensbooks.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/beverlie-manson-johnstone-sisters.html

I am not saying her modern work isn't beautiful; but it just seems very different compared with this.

The book houses stories such as The Emperor's New Clothes, Snow White and Rose Red, Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin,  The Ugly Ducking, [Goldilocks and] the Three Bears, The Little Fir Tree, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Golden Goose and Jack and the Beanstalk.

I must admit it was nice to one that contained some of the lesser known fairy tales too. Like Snow White and Rose Red (above.)

I adore the flamboyants of the emperor's costume!

This is probably one of my favourite illustrations in the entire book of the queen for Rumpelstiltskin. I like the way Manson illustrated the candle and as hard as it may be to see in the photo, her hair is almost glowing gold. Stunning.

This illustration from The Little Fir Tree is a great example of the Victorian era. I really love that time period. I am tempted to get this scene put in a frame.

The Sleeping Beauty

 I thought that it was interesting Manson chose to illustrate her with dark hair, which is something you scarcely see.

How gorgeous is this iconic scene from Cinderella?

Thanks for stopping by!

I am back again and focusing on Scott Gustafson!

Scott Gustafson is an American illustrator, born and raised in Illinois, he took and early loved to drawing; finding inspiration in the form of Walt Disney and Warner Brother's Animation Studios. He went on to attend the Chicago Academy of  Fine Arts, however, due to monetary trouble the school was closed so he was the transferred to Columbia College.

Nowadays Gustafson produces incredible illustrations both anthropomorphic and of humans. He is known for using gouache, water colours and acrylics with stunning results. He has illustrated books such as Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker and Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allen Poe. He's also done projects with DreamWorks, Sunday Evening Posts, The Bradford Exchange and Celestial Seasonings.

Now, here's some pictures!

Titania sleeping in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

John in Peter Pan, such vivid detail, and in the far right you can see Wendy, Michael and Peter.

The Frog Prince: I adore the expression on the little princess's face! It's priceless. Also take note of the tapestry in the back, look at that detail.

The Night Before Christmas

Great idea having the toys go beneath the tree by magic!

 Canvas print of The Muses

The Owl and The Pussycat

Such gorgeous costumes!

 

 

Canvas Print of The Wizard of Oz

So many incredible details!



The Man on The Moon (I am guessing it's another canvas print!)

Love the way Gustafson has drawn his astrological side of the moon.

 

 

Anyway, I hope you all liked these, thank you for reading!

 

I am so sorry for being slack, I'll continue to work on that.

 

 

 

Next time: The Big Golden Book of Fairy Tales illustrated by Beverlie Manson.