The Goldenrod Fairy Book selected by Esther Singleton is a treasure chest of international folklore, gathering stories from across the globe into a single, beautifully crafted volume. First published in 1903, the collection brings together classic tales from familiar sources like the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen, alongside lesser-known stories from Russia, Italy, China, Ireland, and Spain. Readers can journey from the familiar enchantment of “The White Cat” and “Snow-White and Red-Rose” to the exotic adventure of “Prince Zeyn Alasnam and the King of the Genii” from the Arabian Nights, making it a truly global anthology.
What truly sets this book apart is its extraordinary visual presentation, masterfully executed by the artist Charles Buckles Falls. Every page is a work of art, with text printed within elaborate pictorial borders printed in color that frame each story like a precious jewel. The book is further enriched by sixteen leaves of stunning full-color plates, each illustration capturing the magic and wonder of the tales they accompany. Falls’ artistic vision extends even to the binding design, creating a complete and harmonious aesthetic experience from cover to cover.
More than just a storybook, The Goldenrod Fairy Book is an artifact of its time, reflecting the early twentieth-century fascination with world mythology and the art of bookmaking. Its blue pictorial cloth stamped in gilt, green, and orange invites the reader into a world where imagination knows no borders. For anyone who delights in fairy tales and the beauty of illustrated books, Singleton’s collection remains a golden treasure waiting to be discovered.
