J is for Jasmine

The Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker via

In heat of summer days

With sunshine all ablaze,

Here, here are cool green bowers,

Starry with Jasmine flowers;

Sweet-scented, like a dream

Of Fairyland they seem.

And when the long hot day

At length has worn away,

And twilight deepens, till

The darkness comes—then, still,

The glimmering Jasmine white

Gives fragrance to the night.

Since their first publication in 1923, Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies have enchanted both adults and children alike around the world. The botanically accurate drawings in the 170 original illustrations, coupled with the enchanting fairy images based on real children from Cicely's sister's nursery school still endure.

Inga Moore: Animal Interior Design

Badger certainly has a beautiful home. I love illustrations featuring interior design by animals. The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustration by Inga Moore via

Carmine The Crow by Heidi Holder

Hmmmmm. So this is what a crow does with all the small, shiny things he collects. via 

published 1992

Generous Carmine the crow shares his wishing stardust with all of the sad creatures in the forest until he is left with only a single grain to help him grant his own wish. 

Here is a reader review: "Generous Carmine the crow shares his wishing stardust with all of the sad creatures in the forest until he is left with only a single grain to help him grant his own wish."

Children's book for ages 5-8

Settling-In - Chris Dunn: Badger, Wind in the Willows

"Settling-In" watercolor by Chris Dunn. 

Badger, Wind in the Willows

This is what I will be doing today as Toby, the 4th Nor'easter in 3 weeks plays outside. It is 8:30 on Tuesday morning and the very fine snowflakes are starting to fly at a pretty rapid pace. I am prepared to ride out this storm and hope for the best, but I'm prepared for the worst. Stay snug and warm if this storm is ruining the first whole day of spring for you too. 

I love this charming illustration and have always loved animal interiors in children's books. Mr. Badger has certainly done a wonderful job decorating his burrow under the roots of a large tree. The articles in The Woodland Times look like very interesting reading for a snowy day. xo

Gum-Nut Babies: May Gibbs 1916

May Gibbs, Illustration for Gum-Nut Babies, 1916 via. Aren't they adorable? She is a new illustrator to me and her official website is wonderful. Get ready for the sounds of Australian Birds if you click. Go there with a child, if possible and explore the stories and games. Have fun. xo

The Snowdrop Fairy

The Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973) was an English illustrator best known for a series of fantasy illustrations depicting fairies and flowers. via

Winter Birds: Made me Smile

So cute. 

It is so much warmer today with fog and rain predicted for tomorrow. The roads have been fine from the beginning but I never had my driveway plowed. I parked near the road and have been able to get out easily with the new tires I got earlier this year. So far, so good. Aren't Virginia Greene's birds adorable? This was her holiday card for December. via 

Field Mice Singing Christmas Carols

"Carol of the Field Mice" 

from THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS by Kenneth Grahame, 

illustration by Inga Moore

Hello December

Illustration by Jin Xingye

See more of his lovely storybook pages here.

"The Tale of Pigling Bland" by Beatrix Potter

From 'The Tale of Pigling Bland' by Beatrix Potter. I have never seen this image or heard of this little piggie, have you? Lisa made a comment and said this one is Pig-wig  Thanks, Lisa.
I love the antiques in the drawing and want to know more about the Pig-wig in her nightgown. via Read more about the story here.

Bookplate with Pig Delivering A Book to Owner

What? The McBurneys must have had a pet pig. Their library looks quite delightful doesn't it? I would love to know more about this pig that brings books. Image found here. Bookplate was designed by William Fowler Hopson

1903 Easter Cover PUCK Magazine

PUCK MAGAZINE: 1903 Easter Cover. The Easter Bunny with a basket of decorated eggs and a careless girl gathering them in her apron. Chromolithograph by L.M. Glackens, 1903.

Library of Congress Digital Collection

Enjoying The Hammock

Jessie Willcox Smith is one of my favorite illustrator. Isn't this adorable? I don't recall ever having seen this one before. via

We are having a hot week in New Jersey but it cools off at night enough to turn off the central air and open bedroom windows. I can tolerate air conditioning during the day but dislike being sealed at night. I miss the sounds of outside too much. This arrangement works for me and I love waking up to birdsong in the morning. Stay cool. xo

Beatrix Potter Gentleman Rabbit

Beatrix Potter.
GENTLEMAN RABBIT WITH LETTER ("BENJAMIN BUNNY")
Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 GBP
LOT SOLD. 70,850 GBP
(Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

A fine watercolour executed around the period 1890-93 presumably as a greetings card design. Although unpublished at the time, the design was later reproduced by The Beatrix Potter Society as a greetings card. The piece acquired the title of "Benjamin Bunny" for sale at auction in December 2004. A pencil and ink drawing of this design was sold in these rooms (Sotheby's), 8 July 2004.

Beatrix Potter Mouse + Spinning Wheel

I have never seen this Beatrix Potter 1890 watercolor either. via So many images are surfacing that I've never seen. So glad.

Beatrix Potter 'Mouse with a Spinning Wheel' 1890 Helen Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943) English author, illustrator, mycologist and conservationist ink and watercolour. From the collection of Caroline Isobel Emma Halpin (née Hutton) and thence by family descent. Sotheby's archives.

Beatrix Potter Carpet Bagger Bunny

This image is new to me. I wonder about the story behind this traveling bunny, don't you? via

Reasons for Staying at Home

I adore these excuses. via

It's here. The giant floating head head is looming over my cottage today, right on schedule.

Tom Gauld (Scottish, b. 1976) - The Reason I Stayed In The House All Day Drawings (All perfectly valid reasons) His website is fabulous.

I adore staying in the house all day and I do it all the time because it's my favorite place to be. Have a great Sunday. xo

Beatrix Potter Bunnies in Winter

I found another snow scene with Peter Rabbit that I haven't seen before. We can never get enough images by Beatrix Potter, can we? via

Doing Winter Chores - Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter "Preparing for cold weather." via

Beatrix Potter Rabbits' Christmas Party - The Departure

I'm so excited that I found another watercolor I haven't seen before illustrating the Rabbits' Christmas Party by Beatrix Potter.

This one shows a big rabbit lighting the way with a lit candle as the guests put on their coats and depart.

See all the other illustrations for the Rabbits' Christmas Party in my 2009 original blog post about it here. I am so happy to see the end of the party. Somehow, Beatrix Potter and Christmas are perfect together. Enjoy! xo