Thursday, March 15, 2018

Gum-Nut Babies: May Gibbs 1916

May Gibbs, Illustration for Gum-Nut Babies, 1916 via. Aren't they adorable? She is a new illustrator to me and her official website is wonderful. Get ready for the sounds of Australian Birds if you click. Go there with a child, if possible and explore the stories and games. Have fun. xo

5 comments:

minwks said...

Dear Rosemary, I am sure any of your followers who have an Antipodean background will recognize the name May Gibb.
My Mother was born in 1923 and remembers her Mother reading by lamp light stories from The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie to her seven brothers and sisters.
My Mother read to me from the same book. Unfortunately I had to find a new book for my own children and I have read from that 1970’s purchase to my Grandchildren. Second grandson, who has a soft heart, will not look at the illustration of the horrible Banksia man holding & treatening to drop poor Snugglepot into a deep dark hole. Those grandchildren, less soft hearted but considerate, would put their hand over the drawing to protect him till the words were read and the page turned.

Our family certainly followed the adage never to pull up the flowers by their roots! Horrors at the very thought!

The photos of Anne Geddes, of New Zealand, remind me so much of the Gibb’s illustrations that I am sure she must have been influenced by the books.

Thank you for the reminder of those times and the link to the Gibb’s site. I had not previously read of her background.

Regards Janine in BC Canada

Penelope Bianchi said...

OMIGOSH! My favorite fabric ever...I have used it in a master bedroom; my daughter's kitchen....is based on this artists' painting! This is it! The name of the fabric, sold by Clarence House in the UK and US is called "

"water babies" ? (it will come to me) and it is this exact thing. How wonderful to discover its origins! I am sure the artist was paid and credited!
How delightful to learn! It is my favorite fabric ever!

Penelope

Penelope Bianchi said...

I will send pictures of the fabric! You and your sharp eye! Found the origin!!!

Content in a Cottage said...

minwks -- Janine, What a great story about your grandchildren. I love finding new illustrators from that golden age of Children's Illustrations a hundred years ago. You are indeed fortunate to have been brought up on these delightful books thanks to your Mother. Your children and now your grandchildren are blessed to to have these fabulous stories and wonderful pictures to delight them and frighten them.
xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Penelope Bianchi -- Penny, I went to Google Images and searched "Gumnut Babies Wallpaper and Fabric" and all sorts of pictures came up. There are many images and many patterns, all delightful.
xo, Rosemary