The Olive Fairy Book - Illustrated by H. J. Ford

This charming early work, first published in 1907, is the eleventh book in a series of twelve ‘coloured’ fairy books published by Andrew Lang between 1889 and 1910. Each volume is distinguished by its own colour, and all in all, 437 tales from a wide array of cultures and countries are presented. The Olive Fairy Book is illustrated with numerous black and white illustrations by the master artist H.J. Ford. This book is thoroughly recommended for inclusion on the shelf of all folklorists and lovers of fairy tales. A delightful read for both adult and child.

It includes 30 unusual stories from Turkey, India, Denmark, Armenia, and Sudan. Tales include: Geirlug The King's Daughter, Jackal or Tiger?, Diamond Cut Diamond, The Five Wise Words of the Guru, The Snake Prince, The Clever Weaver and many more.

Andrew Lang (1844 – 1912) was a Scots poet, novelist and literary critic, with a passion for folkloric storytelling. Most of his volumes (including this, ‘The Olive Fairy Book’) were beautifully illustrated by Henry J. Ford (1860 – 1941), an inordinately talented artist who came to public attention with his illustrations for Lang. The books captured the imagination of British children and later became worldwide bestsellers in the 1880s and 1890s.