Fairies are all around us - you just need to look carefully and you'll see signs of them everywhere. Written and compiled by the esteemed botanist Professor Arbour, prepare to be amazed as we discover everything there is to know about the natural history of fairies.

The Middle Kingdom! Various times and peoples have given it different names. To some it was Paradise, to others Tir-nan-Og; Arthurian Avalon; Fairyland; the World of Immortal Youth; the Land of Heart's Desire. Where exactly is that country? Well, if God's is the world of creative power and ours the world of created objects, the fairy world is the land of life that lies between them, serv-ing as the bridge for their interaction. The fairyland and its denizens have long been the concern of poets, painters, and storytellers. Not only are these beings charged with the maintenance of Nature's household but with her evolutionary plans as well. Our recognition of them and their work helps their efforts prosper and helps the earth be carried forward in its evolution. Marjorie Spock draws aside the veil obscuring the life of the "Little People" and makes their magic world come alive for us. Included are color paintings of the four races of Little People: Undines (water spir-its), Gnomes (earth spirits), Sylphs (air spirits), and Fire-Spirits. This is a delightful and engaging book!

A rich compendium of information on Irish fairies covers a wide range of related issues, including clothes and appearance, immortality, personality, and demonic powers of cluricauns, leprechauns, Silkies, Banshees, and Pookas.

Don’t be fooled by Tinkerbell and her pixie dust—the real fairies were dangerous. In the late seventeenth century, they could still scare people to death. Little wonder, as they were thought to be descended from the Fallen Angels and to have the power to destroy the world itself. Despite their modern image as gauzy playmates, fairies caused ordinary people to flee their homes out of fear, to revere fairy trees and paths, and to abuse or even kill infants or adults held to be fairy changelings. Such beliefs, along with some remarkably detailed sightings, lingered on in places well into the twentieth century. Often associated with witchcraft and black magic, fairies were also closely involved with reports of ghosts and poltergeists. In literature and art, the fairies still retained this edge of danger. From the wild magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, through the dark glamour of Keats, Christina Rosetti’s improbably erotic poem “Goblin Market,” or the paintings inspired by opium dreams, the amoral otherness of the fairies ran side-by-side with the newly delicate or feminized creations of the Victorian world. In the past thirty years, the enduring link between fairies and nature has been robustly exploited by eco-warriors and conservationists, from Ireland to Iceland. As changeable as changelings themselves, fairies have transformed over time like no other supernatural beings. And in this book, Richard Sugg tells the story of how the fairies went from terror to Tink.

A Natural History of Mermaids is a meticulously detailed field notebook containing all there is to know about the natural history of mermaids from around the world. In 1872, intrepid (fictional) explorer Darcy Delamare disguised herself as a man to claim a place on board the (real life) scientific expedition of the HMS Challenger. She made a record of her findings on the trip, recounting the extraordinary sea creatures she witnessed: creatures that, until now, nobody had believed really existed... mermaids! Following on from the beautiful A Natural History of Fairies and A Natural History of Magick, this beautifully illustrated vintage album is filled with descriptions and illustrations of Delamare's findings, from tales of mermaids in ancient lore to more recent sightings as well as facts on the beliefs and superstitions surrounding these elusive creatures. Children will delight in discovering the anatomy, behaviour and lifecycles of the Merfolk and how they have hidden themselves from human discovery over millennia. Pore over the anatomy of tails, learn how these mysterious creatures communicate and immerse yourself in their underwater world. The Folklore Field Guides series is a charming collection of beautifully illustrated handbooks on topics of lore and legend. Fascinating facts are accompanied by breathtaking illustrations, all presented in an engaging narrative form.

This enchantingly illustrated natural history of magick, compiled in the 1920s by the globetrotting naturalist Professor Conrad Gessner for his grandson, is now unveiled for readers of today. Featuring a gold foil–embossed cloth cover, a ribbon marker and sprayed gold edges, this gorgeous volume is filled with intriguing sketches and precise notes detailing the secret world of magic, a natural force hidden all around us. Inside, you will discover the history of magic and its dazzling array of practices around the globe. Delight in this hidden world as you learn about these and more topics: Different types of magic (Explore divination, tarot reading, astrology, numerology, alchemy, and more.) Powerful plants (Peppermint is fantastic for cleansing, and also known to ward off vampires.) Wand trees (Apple tree wands are helpful in matters of love and fertility while beech is best for scholars using wordy spells.) Familiars (Choose the perfect magical companion. If you love to gossip, you might choose a ferret as your familiar or, for improved thinking, an owl.) The most magical of days (Discover the power and stories of Imbolc, the solstices, All Hallows’ Eve, and more.) Magical scripts (Learn about the secret languages used through history for communicating with the spirit world.) With this precious scrapbook as your guide, tap into the powerful energies that will help you harness your own magic.

This exciting mix of poems and stories about fairies will draw the reader into the hidden world of fantasy. Find out about the many types of elves and fairies, what people believed about them, and how you should behave if you ever meet one. Discover how to escape if you are pixy-led, learn a spell to see the fairies, and much, much more. The Little Book of Elves and Fairies is illustrated throughout by the enchanting paintings and pen-and-ink drawings of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, the forgotten painter of fairies and Fairlyland.

Within the Sanctuary of Wings is the conclusion to Marie Brennan's thrilling Lady Trent Memoirs After nearly five decades (and, indeed, the same number of volumes), one might think they were well-acquainted with the Lady Isabella Trent--dragon naturalist, scandalous explorer, and perhaps as infamous for her company and feats of daring as she is famous for her discoveries and additions to the scientific field. And yet--after her initial adventure in the mountains of Vystrana, and her exploits in the depths of war-torn Eriga, to the high seas aboard The Basilisk, and then to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia--the Lady Trent has captivated hearts along with fierce minds. This concluding volume will finally reveal the truths behind her most notorious adventure--scaling the tallest peak in the world, buried behind the territory of Scirland's enemies--and what she discovered there, within the Sanctuary of Wings. The Lady Trent Memoirs 1. A Natural History of Dragons 2. The Tropic of Serpents 3. Voyage of the Basilisk 4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes 5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Explore the secret world of the fairy realm! There is probably a fairy very close to you right now-in the raindrop on the window, within that shaft of sunlight, or beneath those moving leaves. Discover all the fairies' secret hiding places in this enchanting guide to fairy lore from around the world. Then you will know where to look next time you notice a strange perfume or hear the tinkle of tiny bells ...