Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973)

Okay, so we’re basically into winter here in Canada (ie the first proper snow has fallen), but that’s not going to stop me taking a wander through peak springtime vibes with Cicely Mary Barker’s pop-up fairy book! While technically pop-up books were available during Barker’s lifetime, I doubt she would have imagined in her wildest dreams that her classically-styled nature-based fairy illustrations would have been reimagined for the children of today in this fully immersive style. But thanks to the enterprising editors at Penguin, we get to traipse through the wayside and discover a myriad of fairies hiding in the not-so-far-away wilderness! While Barker’s fairies are far less prominent in this volume than in her own (where they take categorical front and centre attention), the hunt for their small forms among the pop-up scenery is delightfully fun. As we search under leaves, down paths in the swamp, and amongst the flower petals we get to feel like we’re momentarily entering the natural world from the comfort of our reading nooks due to the careful construction and elaborate artistry behind the pop-up environments. There may be more technically advanced pop-up books in this style (don’t even get me started on how expensive they are), but this is honestly one of the best I’ve ever gotten to explore due to its whimsical style and quiet narration. Whoever said pop-up books are for children clearly is missing the mark, and more importantly is missing out on this delightful art form!… (more)