Rocking Horse Land and Other Classic Tales of Dolls and Toys by Naomi Lewis, illustrated by Angela Barrett, is a spellbinding collection of literary fairy tales that breathe magic into the secret world of toys and dolls. This 1999 anthology gathers enchanting stories from authors like Laurence Housman, Hans Christian Andersen, and Lucretia P. Hale, alongside Lewis’s own luminous retellings.
The titular story, Rocking Horse Land (originally by Housman), follows a boy whose beloved rocking horse whisks him away to a twilight realm where toys live freely—a tale of longing and wonder, tinged with melancholy. Other stories explore themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of childhood imagination, evoking the poignant charm of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Angela Barrett’s exquisite illustrations elevate the book into a visual masterpiece. Her detailed, painterly style—rich with soft hues and ethereal light—captures the stories’ haunting beauty, from moonlit toy theaters to windswept rocking horses. Each image feels like a Renaissance painting reimagined for a fairy-tale world, blending realism with dreamlike whimsy.
A treasure for collectors and readers alike, this edition is a celebration of vintage storytelling and artistry, perfect for those who cherish the golden age of children’s literature.
