One of the most stimulating of all early children's books was The Book of Gnomes - published in 1915. London-based barrister and King's counsel, Frederick Edward Weatherly, wrote over fifty children's stories in his spare time - at night, between appointments, and on trains between trials. 'E. Stuart Hardy' (Beatrice Evelyn Elizabeth Hardy) engraved charming illustrations for The Book of Gnomes - with humour underlying her intricate depictions of wildlife and fairy-folk. Fairy life in natural settings look more realistic on the slightly aged paper.
Birds "Caught Kissing", "Elves in Mischief", Naughty Birds, Sleeping Gnomes watched by Owl.
In Fairyland (1905) fairies and elves play with birds, butterflies and other insects, among flowers, foliage and mushrooms... Imaginatively illustrated by Richard 'Dicky' Doyle, they were beautifully engraved and colour-printed by Edmund Evans on crisp white paper. These groups of small engravings are perhaps more suited to modern decor. They certainly stimulate the imagination!
Fairies, Butterflies and Birds, Sleep under Mushrooms or on a Leaf, and Play with Grasshoppers, Beetles and other Insects.
A wonderful selection of antique prints of children's subjects - or for the young at heart - can be found on this website under /Products/Antique-Prints/Children-Young-at-Heart-Genre