Folktale and Fairy Tale illustrations

Virginia Francis Sterrett

“Blondine”

The Lark and the Toad, as reinterpreted by Real Toads member, Kay L. Davies

the lark and the toad

were out one night

when the sky was dark

and the moon was bright.

when the lark said “hark!”

and the toad said “hush!”

as a maiden appeared

with a white mule deer

and a big white cat

who wore no hat.

“that’s a cat,” said the lark

“I knowed,” said the toad

“as soon as I heard it mewl.

 but what of the deer?

 is it true what I hear?

 that deer eat toads for lunch?”

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Virginia Francis Sterrett

"Europa and the Bull"

at this point in the tale

they reached the sea

where a big white bull

was carrying She

upon its back through the waves.

“ahoy,” cried the toad,

“you’re the loveliest load

 I’ve ever seen on a bull.

 please come to the land,

 or at least to the sand,

 and have a wee chat with we.”

so She dismounted

and floated ashore

while the bull carried on to see

and She sat on the sand

just as if it were land

and talked to the lark and the toad.

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For the 20th day of our April poem-a-day challenge at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, Kerry has introduced us to the charming and enchanting art of American illustrator Virginia Francis Sterrett. I have seen her work often, but have never known anything about her until now. Hers was a short and tragic life in the early 20th century. Most widely known for illustrating folktales and fairy tales, she died of tuberculosis when she was only 30.

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The folktale is a story, passed down verbally from generation to generation. Each storyteller told the stories a little differently, making them more interesting and fascinating as the ages passed. Different folktales bear the characteristics of the culture, folklore and customs of the people from which they originated.

The fairy tale has its roots way back in ancient times. A very significant literature genre, fairy tales are present in all cultures worldwide. In contrast to folktales, which are spread form mouth to mouth and have no author, the author of fairy tales is known and they are written down.

(from Stories for Children)