Tales of Passed Times’ is a collection of Charles Perrault’s fairy tales, accompanied by the beautiful illustrations of Charles Robinson. A French nobleman and writer, Perrault (1628-1703) was among the first authors to bring magical children’s stories into the literary mainstream, proving to their original seventeenth century readers that such works were important, enjoyable, as well as thought-provoking. The stories in this particular text include such favorites as ‘Blue Beard’, ‘Little Red Riding-Hood’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Puss in Boots’ and ‘Cinderella’ as well as other, less well known tales such as ‘Riquet of the Tuft’, ‘Little Thumbling’ and ‘Princess Rosette.’
These stories are accompanied by a set of dazzling colored illustrations from a true master of the ‘Golden Age of Illustration’ – Charles Robinson (1870-1937). An active painter in his own right, and brother of the famous Thomas and William Heath Robinson, his illustrations still delight both young and old over a century later. Robinson started his illustrative career with 100 pen and ink drawings for A Child’s Garden of Verses (1895). The book was an instant hit, and from that point onwards, Robinson continued to illustrate fairy tales and children’s books – with his characteristic style of subtle line, combined with delicate watercolours. The fairy tales in their original translations are presented here, alongside Robinson’s beautiful images.
Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children’s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.