The English Fairy Tales Illustrated by Arthur Rakham (Paperback - 2019)

The book contains 41 stories written by Flora Annie Steel and illustrated by Arthur Rackham. The stories are very interesting to read and engage the readers' attention from the beginning to the end. Each story has some moral lesson which inculcates the reader though entertainment is the main focus throughout the book.

Apart from the engaging plot in each story, there are crisp dialogues that use the language and style befitting specific characters. The book is full of funny situations, but the undertones of tough situations are also found so that when the problem is solved in the end, there is a relief which enhances the enjoyment of the reader.

Another feature of the book is that it contains a number of illustrations from the master illustrator Arthur Rackham whose sketches enable the reader to connect with the story, its characters and events more deeply.

The book was first published nearly a century ago but since it has a universal appeal, it is still read with interest, especially by children.

FLORA ANNIE STEEL (1847-1929), an English short story writer, was noted for writing books set in British India or otherwise connected to it. Some of her best work is contained in two collections of short stories. Her English Fairy Tales illustrated by Arthur Rackham became immensely popular.

ARTHUR RACKHAM (1867-1939) was a well-known English illustrator. His first book illustrations were published in 1893 in To the Other Side by Thomas Rhodes. In 1894 he made brilliant sketches for The Dolly Dialogues. Its success made him adopt book illustrating as his career.