The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves & Other Little People by Thomas Keightley

Gnomes, fairies, and elves of every imaginable size, shape, and color spring to life in this marvelously illustrated guide to the fairy realm. Just one glance at the extensive table of contents reveals the scope and variety of fairy folklore explored here -- from Persian and Arabian romance to the mythology of Scandinavia, England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Everything from Kelpies and Korrigans to Brownies, Bugaboos, and more is included. Taken from a variety of sources of popular myth and legend, The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves, and Other Little People forms a rich compendium of the superstititions surrounding the little people. Not only does the author explore every type and species of the short and ugly, but he also traces resemblances and similarities among the fairy traditions of different countries. In addition, the fairy tradition is discussed as it appears in major works of English literature, from the Middle Age epic of Beowulf and Chaucer's Canterbury tales to Spencer's The faerie queene and Shakespeare's A midsummer night's dream. Complete with over twenty-five lively illustrations, it is a fascinating guide to the enchanting world of the little people.