I first discovered Cicely Mary Barker’s whimsical, lush illustrations of flower fairies when I was looking for inspiration for handmade Valentines. But British poet-illustrator Barker (1895–1973) and her winged magical creatures have been capturing the imaginations of generations who appreciate and collect her illustrated books of poetry, since 1923’s “Flower Fairies of the Spring.”
With the new “Flower Fairies Coloring Book” — which Warne released on Jan. 31 — colorists of all ages can employ pens, crayons, markers, or colored pencils on 96 pages of Barker’s intricate line art illustrations. These drawings can be traced or photocopied and incorporated into your family’s handmade Valentines. Whether your aspiring artist is a fan of fairies, flowers, gardening, fantasy, or magical worlds, this is an enchanting gift that’s sure to delight and inspire.
“The Flower Fairies Coloring Book” by Cicely Mary Barker, $14.99, www.barne
