Fairies are not the friendly creatures you think, Dr Bob Curran investigates the folkloric roots of the fairy kind, tracing their origins from the sprites and maenads of classical times to the sanitized versions of the English Victorians. Illustrated by Ian Daniels this book will enlighten those who wish to know that fairies are not always doing good as Disney might have us believe, it is time that centuries of folklore are examined, enlightening new believers their connection. Dark Fairies  is a must read for any fae follower.

Dark Fairies

Dark Fairies

Dark Fairies

ISBN-13: 987-60163-110-7 Published 2010 Career Press.

Click here to purchase Dark Fairies by Bob Curran

Simply Read Books is excited to announce the release of a beautiful new book by renowned illustrator and artist Jessica Albarn, entitled The Boy in the Oak. In this magical tale, Albarn tells the story of a lonely young boy and the journey he takes upon discovering an old oak tree in the garden of his family home.

The Boy in the Oak draws on the grand tradition of fairytales, demonstrating not only Albarn’s skill as an illustrator through her delicate and ethereal drawings, but her profound connection with children and the enchanting nature of the childhood experience. This is a story of good and bad faeries and ancient Druidic oaks: a tale where nature is powerful, demanding and ultimately just, and which promises to appeal to young and old alike.

The Boy in the Oak is a beautiful collector’s item, enlaced with opaque layers of acetate, which are interwoven with the illustrated pages. To celebrate this new release, there will be an exhibition of drawings taken from the book, which will be on display at the Gallery in Liberty, London from 17 June – 11 July.

Jessica Albarn will also host a special event and reading from Boy in the Oak as part of this year’s House of Fairytales at the Port Eliot Literary Festival in July.

About the Artist:
Jessica Albarn is a fine artist who studied sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking at Middlesex University, London. Inventor of an interactive toy called Brainbow, and a finalist at the BFIY (British Female Inventor of the Year) awards, Jessica prizes a connection with the magical time of her childhood, and this inspires much of her work.

She has exhibited extensively around London , most recently a solo show at the Nelly Duff Gallery. She has collaborated with Modus Design Co., Helmut Lang NYC on their spring /summer collection followed by an exhibition spread across 4 venues In Tokyo and Oasis for their Designer Collective collection last Autumn. Jessica has also published a limited edition book Bee-headed with Cederteg Publishing in Sweden.
Fascinated by nature, Jessica has worked closely with insects and spiders in all of her art, finding beauty in all creatures, dead or alive. As a child she loved old faerie tales, and the idea of faeries being both delicate and deadly, like insects, existing in a world we co-habit, formed the basis for her first storybook, The Boy in the Oak.

About the Book:
The Boy in the Oak is published by Simply Read Books, and is available to order from www.turnaround-uk.com.
It will be available to buy exclusively from Liberty from June 2010, and then from all good book shops from September 2010, at RRP £12.99

About the Exhibition (Listings Information):
Address: Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5HA
The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday 17 June – 11 July.
Opening Times:
Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm Sunday 12pm – 6pm.

The Boy in the Oak

The fairy tale came true today when Snow Fairy bought  by her publicity-shy French owner and breeder Cristina Patino for only £1500 when Snow Fairy was put through the sales ring in 2008 only 18 months ago, won the Epsom Oaks Classic race, winning over £200, 000 for her delighted owner in prize money.

SnowFairy wins Oaks

Snow Fairy won the Oaks at Epsom as champion jockey Ryan Moore held off the challenge of Meeznah in a thrilling finish. Moore expertly guided his mount from the middle of the pack to claim his first British Classic win and a second victory in the race for trainer Ed Dunlop.