Grace Rhys 
Fireside Stories – Illustrated by Alice M. Mitchell (The Banbury Cross Series) 

The Banbury Cross Series was a collection of 12 volumes of books edited by Grace Rhys and published in London by Dent in the 1890s. Each book is attractively illustrated with full page and partial page pen and ink drawings in a classic Art Nouveau style by leading artists of the era. In this volume Rhys brings four lesser known children’s tales together with the humourous black and white illustrations of Alice M. Mitchell. Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse, The Story of Mr. Vinegar, The Story of Chicken-licken, and Lazy Jack are depicted with wit, charm and love. Many of the earliest children’s books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pook Press are working to republish these classic works in affordable, high quality editions, using the original text and artwork so these works can delight another generation of children.