'Carterhaugh School of Folklore & the Fantastic' Brings Us The Best Gift Ever: Fairy Tales!

We bring wonderful news for the end of 2016, finally!

There is a new online school in the town of the interwebs which is entirely dedicated to folklore, fairy tales and the fantastic, AND their first long course is: 'The Fairy Tale'! 

It's not your average 'introduction to fairy tales course' that you often see squished in somewhere to fill out a schedule either - you know, the sort of course where the big draw is "these fairy tales are darker than you thought.." or "forget Disney - did you know Red Riding Hood was sometimes eaten?". This course, refreshingly, recognizes you already know most of this stuff and that you're ready to explore far beyond these teasers. This is bona fide, scholarly study, that's specifically been made accessible (Einstein would be proud), with guidance from well qualified academics who adore fairy tales and folklore, love teaching it and love sharing their enthusiasm for it.

You can now join folk from around the world as you dive into a deeper exploration of fairy tales in a way you normally would have to attend a university setting for, yet without the intimidating structure and forms that can overwhelm even those who've survived a round a college.

Welcome to The Carterhaugh School of Folklore & the Fantastic!

Here's a taste of the introduction for The Fairy Tale:

Once upon a time… 

A girl in red walked into the woods with a basket for her grandmother. There, she wandered from the path, talked to a strange wolf, was eaten, was saved. 

Or, once upon a time… 

The girl, who did not wear red, went into the woods. She met a werewolf, chose the Road of Needles instead of the Road of Pins. She performed a strip-tease for the wolf, tricked him, and ran back home, and slammed the door behind her. 

Or, once upon a time… 

A girl, once more in red, walked into the woods. She wandered, talked, was eaten. She was not saved, and she remained in the wolf’s belly.

In this ten lesson course, “The Fairy Tale,” we welcome you across the threshold of Carterhaugh to explore a collection of wonder tales from around the world- stories you may know, stories you may think you know, stories that are strange and unfamiliar. Through a combination of lectures, supplemental readings, and creative responses, we will introduce you to the wide world of fairy-tale scholarship and provide the history, context, and tools to begin analyzing these stories.

This is perhaps the best gift you'd be able to give a fairy tale enthusiast, and, as a bonus, you can give it last minute (without battling crowds) or fussing with wrapping!

Qualified scholars and lecturers Brittany Warman and Sara Cleto are both PhD candidates in English and Folklore who, through their shared love of the subject and of teaching, dreamed up the idea of an online school where anyone - no matter their location in the world, or the many other limits that stop those passionate about fairy tales from pursuing study in such subjects with scholarly guidance - could attend.

That means all of us qualify to attend folks!

On top of that you could say fairy tales are kind of these ladies' "thing" (ie their true passion), so you know it's going to be special.

By the way, does the name Carterhaugh sound familiar? It should!

Over the next few days, we will be sharing a special behind-the-scenes interview with the founders of Carterhaugh, to give you a look at how such a wonderful thing came to be and what is so very enchanting about the way this school, and the fairy tale long course, in particular.

Oh yes - and you'll also learn why the name 'Carterhaugh' was chosen. ;)

Without further ado may I present the fairy godmothers of Carterhaugh School, mistresses Brittany Warman and Sara Cleto:

Ladies, thank you for so graciously agreeing to join us here at Once Upon A Blog, to share why this school is so different and how enchanting, unique and exciting this course will be.

The age of worldwide wireless wizardry, aka, the internet has opened so many opportunities for sharing knowledge, for enabling collaboration and allowing magically prompt feedback. It's wonderful to see that being put to use for folk who cannot access - or afford - more conventional fairy tale and folklore studies and scholarship!

What inspired the idea of this school , how many glass mountains did you climb and what did the two of end up throwing into your combined cauldron to make this a reality?

The origins of Carterhaugh lie, unglamorously but appropriately, in jetlag and a truly ridiculous conversation that took place between about midnight and 3am the night before we attended a conference on Folklore and the Gothic in the UK last spring (2016). We were desperately trying to sleep, and instead we ended up talking about the kinds of classes we would most love to teach and lamenting the fact that people who might really enjoy those classes wouldn’t have access to them if we taught them in a university setting. We don’t remember who thought of it first, but at some point during that conversation, we lifted the glamor of “this-is-how-we’ve-always-taught-and-so-it-must-always-be” and imagined a door to Carterhaugh, a place where we could teach beyond the limits of a traditional classroom. We had already co-taught and lectured several times, and while we both enjoy teaching our solo classes at OSU, we know that we can create a dynamic, engaging conversation when we work together. That synergy has driven the project forward, from designing syllabi to creating promotional materials to reaching out to our community of magical friends and beyond.

The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic holds a name likely familiar to regular readers here: Carterhaugh. What is it that prompted you to choose this name for your new online school and courses (other than a gentle but firm reminder to Faerie Queens that they're being watched)?

We actually struggled quite a bit with the name! We wanted something that was evocative of Faery but that also sounded professional, like a real school. We went through several ideas before landing on the final name, but we think it fits perfectly. We like to imagine the forbidden grounds of Carterhaugh as the secret, liminal space on which we have constructed a school somewhere between reality and imagination.

What are both your backgrounds of personal -o̶b̶s̶e̶s̶s̶i̶o̶n̶- interest and -̶s̶p̶e̶l̶l̶ ̶c̶a̶s̶t̶i̶n̶g̶-̶ study that have culminated in this school?

We have both loved folk and fairy tales pretty much since we can first remember - we were both voracious readers (and school nerds?) when younger and, through various winding roads and tangled forests, both managed to discover that one could actually study our favorite stories professionally in an academic setting (!) We first met in an MA program in Folklore at George Mason University and quickly became known as the “fairy-tale girls” there. We were an instant matched set, always excited by our work and driven by our passion for these stories. We constantly found ways to collaborate and work together. We thought we would probably have to go on to different programs after we finished at GMU, since we were so similar in our interests, but an unexpected turn of events (one that we’re certain the fairies had something to do with!), allowed us to both be accepted into the Folklore program at The Ohio State University as well! We are currently PhD candidates there, both focusing on folklore and nineteenth-century literature - Sara is working on her dissertation about fairy tales and disability, Brittany’s is on fairy tales, fairy legends, and the Gothic aesthetic. We continue to do all kinds of things together too, from articles to poetry to presentations. And now, of course, our school!

Do you have any affiliations or partnerships with other institutions, businesses or fairy folk?

Yes! We are alumni of the George Mason University Folklore MA program, and we are currently employed by the Ohio State University, where we teach classes on folklore, fairy tales, and literature as we complete our dissertations. We are also affiliated with fellow fairy fiends all over the country. We met colleagues when we interned at the Library of Congress who first demonstrated to us how to educate and revel outside of the box. Many of our fae colleagues are friends that we met online, and little communities have grown as a result- for example, with our dear friend Grace Nuth, we run a Facebook group called Daily Fae-shion and its 700+ members share and discuss fae-inspired fashion and daily wear. We also co-run, with the fantastic Derek Newman-Stille, the website Through the Twisted Woods, a hub for folk narrative dedicated to both representing and disrupting fairy tales, folktales, myths, legends, and fables by focusing on tales and retellings that live on the fringes of the enchanted woods, the tales that are underrepresented and that push beyond what we think of as the traditional.

So who can participate? (Are house elves allowed?) Is this US-specific? Are magic carpets required at any point? What about those who live 'between?

Pretty much anyone can participate! That’s one of the best parts about having the school online - everyone can play and no magic carpets are required to get to classes! We’re open to anyone (house elves included!) regardless of country. We welcome all ages and levels of education- while our classes are geared towards an adult audience, we had an absolutely wonderful twelve-year-old student and his mother participate in our short Halloween course as part of their homeschooling curriculum, and they were fantastic! Part of our mission is to reach students who, for whatever reason (monetary or accessibility or illness), could not take a class like this through traditional college classes.

What are you hoping folk will take away from the course/s? (Other than reasons to leave - or not leave - a bowl of milk outside at night?)

Keys. Wonder. Unspolied Milk. A Spell or Two. Reignited Passion. Old Stories. New Stories. Buttons.

Part II of our interview continues tomorrow! 

Tune in to learn about some juicy specifics of The Fairy Tale course beginning in January.

In the meantime, you can read the general introduction to the course HERE and sign up - or send a gift - HERE (scroll down the page to see the payment options).

Here's the sign-up detail summary:

Dates: January 16th, 19th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, February 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th – note that these are simply the dates that materials will be posted! You will be able to access everything indefinitely and watch whenever is most convenient to you. 

Total Number of Lessons: 10 

What’s Included: Welcome Letter, Mailed Special Welcome Package, 10 Video Lectures, 10 PowerPoint Presentations, 10 Beautiful PDF “Grimoire Page” Lesson Summaries, PDFs or Links to Any Supplementary Reading, Personal Feedback on Completed Final Assignment if Desired 

Any Additional Materials Needed: No 

Registration Closes: January 15th at Midnight 

Price: $150 – you can pay in one, two, or three installments! Full payment must be complete by the time registration closes on January 15th.

By the way, do you love - or do you LOVE - the design below like we do? If you want to give something extra to the lucky giftee receiving the registration for the course, that they can hold in their lucky little hands, this is now available as a t-shirt or tote bag! You can find the info on that HERE.

Note: All illustrations in this post, barring the Carterhaugh School logo by Rachel Oakes, are either by Edmund Dulac or Arthur Rackham. But you probably already knew that. ;)

The Human Form of Disney's B&tB Enchanted Objects

Phew, have we been busy! We have lots of news to share but thought we'd kick off with something brief before we get to the awesome, juicy, special behind-the-scenes we have to share... and a tip for the best last minute seasonal present for a real fairy tale lover you might ever give... Stay tuned! You should find out sometime later today.

For now - if you haven't already seen this floating around the internet, take a good look at how the enchanted objects from Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast, will look* in their true and human form.

That the giant movie theater promotional cutout features the humans is probably a large hint as to the emphasis of this movie: people's true selves. We're most curious to see how that plays out with the Beast's transformation into human form and Belle's acceptance of that, after she's come to love him in his transformed state (boy are there going to be some interesting conversations arising from this!)

One question: where's the human Chip? (And is Mrs. Potts drinking from... him? O.O )

Thoughts?

*Inside the Magic

CFP: 'So Many Mattresses: Truth, Reality Fiction on a European Bed' (Australia)

The Princess And The Pea' by Louise Montillio

The Australian Fairy Tale Society has just released their Call for Presentations and Papers, for their Annual Conference, and it's not your average fairy tale theme! We're looking forward to seeing what papers and performances are inspired by 'So Many Mattresses' (so many possibilities!) and look forward to seeing how the conference shapes up for June.

Click to enlarge:

The conference will be held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on June 24, 2017. Deadline for proposals is January 27th, 2017, at 5pm AEST.

'The Little Match Girl Passion'

Match Girl by Sarah Gooll Putnam 1874

Hip-hop minimalist award winning choral work, based on Bach's Passion? Not your usual seasonal offering but it sounds like an amazing project we had to look into a bit further this year, as it's not the first - or second - time it has crossed our radar.

This musical work has been performed before in many different ways, using puppets, as well as a more traditional theatrical presentations (one of which you can see some photos of HERE, and another, more contemporary treatment HERE). Every performance has been presented to critical acclaim, but this new staging looks different again, and this time there are dancers.

The teaser trailer doesn't really give much of an idea, unfortunately, but the concept sounds wonderful and potentially very moving. (We're very curious what the dancer roles are...)

From the press release by ArtsWest, in Seattle, CA:

Performance dates: DEC 11 – DEC 22 2016 

Composed by David Lang, 2008 

Based on The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson 

Modeled after Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion, The Little Match Girl Passion is a modern, minimalist retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s tragic winter fairy tale. With only matches to keep her warm, a poor young girl, afraid to go home to her abusive father, takes shelter in an alley on a cold winter night. As she strikes each match, wonderful visions appear: when the last match is struck, the girl learns that the end of her suffering – and her life – is near. Featuring four of Seattle’s most critically acclaimed voices and the lyrical, hip-hop choreography of UJ Mangune, our production of David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning masterpiece is an intimate, unforgettable evening of music and dance. 

“The piece is at once an understated narrative and an ethereal meditation.” – The New York Times 

“David Lang’s retelling of Hans Andersen’s fairy tale is an entrancingly beautiful piece.” – The Guardian 

“Minimalist in form and quasi-medieval in its sublime austerity.” – The Los Angeles Times

Issue 03 of the AFTS Ezine: 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' Sneak Peek!

It's that time again - time for stories and poems and art and fairy tale conversations, all tucked into a new issue of The Australian Fairy Tale Society member exclusive ezine. Our theme this issue is: 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses', or 'The Shoes That Were Worn To Pieces', which we think is perfect for party season.

This one is very close to being wrapped in a digital bow and sent out to currently registered members, just in time for some holiday reading!

Without giving away too many of the goodies, we will just whisper that this issue is full of lords a'leaping, ladies dancing, dual worlds, enchanted royalty and shoes, shoes, shoes! 

It's lovely, luscious and just a little decadent. ;)

Going to miss out because you're not a member? Now is the perfect time to sign up and get exclusive access to our unique fairy tale magazine! You don't need to live Down Under or be an Aussie native to join - you just need to be happy to support the research, use and creation of fairy tales and folk who love them, in Australia. (As you'll see from the ezine - there's a lot of fairy tale magic at work these days under the Southern Cross!)

For $25 annual membership you receive the 30-ish page ezine every second month (6 issues a year), discounts to fairy tale events, exclusive fairy tale reference and research lists (put together by our qualified librarian and historian), many opportunities to network with professional writers, artists and scholars, all of whom love and work in fairy tales, and opportunities for publication of your work.

Not a bad little gift for a fairy tale lover, we might suggest (nudge, nudge) - and it keeps giving all year long!

Join HERE today and Issue 03 will be delivered in the next few days via hard working elves, sprinkled with seasonal wishes for many enchanted dancing days ahead for you all.

Disclaimer: Our resident Fairy Tale News Hound, Gypsy Thornton, is a founding member of the AFTS, Committee Member, and Editor and Designer for the AFTS Member Ezine. She receives no remuneration for her work and no profit is made on this publication. All work is done in the aim of supporting AFTS members in their fairy tale journeys.

Advertising: 'The Shoemaker and the Stars' (Christian Louboutin)

'Tis the season where luxury brands try to woo shoppers with promises of embedded magic in their products... It also makes for some very pretty ad campaigns this time of year. Released Monday December 5th, this commercial for the current Louboutin campaign, is worth a look for fairy tale folk.

“The Tale of the Shoemaker and the Stolen Stars” tells the story of a young cobbler, who is seduced by fame and fortune into breaking a promise. Told in the format of cartoon fairy tale films, this short video plays on consumers' nostalgia. (luxurydaily)

Shoes often get the holiday magic treatment and Louboutin seems to be forming a tradition of fantasy and fairy tale-esque storytelling with regard to their products. Shoes have a long history of fairy tale involvement and it's no surprise shoe companies use this to their advantage. We think it's pretty smart marketing.

From Louboutin's Facebook page:

The Queen of the land planned a magnificent ball to celebrate the birth of her twin daughters. She would invite the most distinguished and elegant people in the land. Beautiful, yet vain, she vowed, “I shall be the finest and the most radiant. I shall shine like the stars. I shall glisten and glitter. Everyone shall call me heaven, for I will be just as wondrous and celestial.” 

Our artisan went to work to make Her Majesty the most beautiful shoes in all the land. He implored the sky to lend him its stars for what would surely be a creative masterpiece. Feeling affection for its unlikely friend, the sky generously agreed, but as midnight struck, it gave the shoemaker a solemn warning to return the stars to the sky or the land would be plunged into darkness. He gave his word to the sky and the stars began to float and then soar towards him, one by one, and then in droves. 

From the precision with which he wielded his knife to carve the elegant wooden forms, to each single star he secured, the shoemaker did it all with consummate care. Turning a completed shoe in his hand, he was astonished by the light it radiated. He admired the graceful silhouette of each shoe. The night was dull without the stars, but as the shoes smoldered, the artisan felt certain they would enchant the Queen. Adding the finishing touches, he dipped his paintbrush in a glossy red lacquer and licked it across the soles. 

When his work was done, the artisan sped to the royal residence. On the steps of the palace, he laid a box bearing only his name, Christian Louboutin. The shoes, snug inside, emitted an incandescent glow. Needless to say, the hard-to-please Queen was delighted with the work of the young shoemaker! And surely enough, her celestial beauty mesmerized guests at the ball, all eyes drawn to her feet as they twinkled across the palace floor. 

The artisan’s reward for his work was a chest filled with exquisite materials and fine tools, the finest he had ever laid eyes on. He imagined instantly all he could create, and the riches these creations would bring him. But the offering from Her Majesty came with a catch. He could only have the chest in exchange for the shoes and the stars...forever. The artisan gazed into the night sky, musing wishfully. Surely the moon and sun would never truly deprive the land of their light? 

Years later, the land was still shadowed in darkness and the princesses had grown into bold, beautiful women. The artisan got word that the sisters were quarreling, so he created a lustrous clutch to captivate them. They thanked him for his wisdom and skill but before he let them keep his creation, they had to grant him just one wish… 

The full fairy tale is revealed below:

Pretty nice work! Props to the artists, writers and filmmakers who did a lovely job of continuing the tradition of the lure of magic shoes.

(Why does this remind us of Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge?)

Ask Baba Yaga: How Do I Overcome My Guilt?

Baba Yaga by Nicolai Kochergin

Have you recently realized you have more than you thought you did? (Perhaps by becoming aware of things you took for granted that now seem under threat?) You're not alone.

Here's today's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

"Yr work is to keep growing..." Yes. So we don't always get it right, but we can change some of that by moving forward and growing as people: learn, grow, be better and go on with the intent of being, becoming, the best we can be, so that we can be the best for those around us too.

LAST SPECIAL REMINDER: Baba Yaga's advice will be collected into a book, Ask Baba Yaga, to be published in Fall of 2017. Her oracle, Taisia, is looking for questions from our Once Upon A Blog readers that she can answer for special inclusion in the book- right now. Although there's no guarantee which ones will make print, the earlier the question, the more likely you will get Baba's attention and see your anonymous question - and answer! - in print. Although Taisia hopes she will be able to continue as Baba Yaga's oracle, it is uncertain this will be possible at this time, so consider this your chance to get those burning questions answered by our favorite crone. Don't delay - send that question today!

(And remember, IF we hear that Baba Yaga has had a good amount of questions from readers here, we will hold a special giveaway when the book is published! Now go: write those words!)

This is the email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

'The Singing Bones' World Premiere in Los Angeles Tomorrow! (Dec 8, 2016)

Have you read the short story "Bones" by Francesca Lia Block from "The Rose and the Beast - Fairy Tales Retold"?

It's a Bluebeard story... with a difference. (Anyone familiar with Block's writing will know exactly what I mean.)

Award winning indie fairy tale film film director, Danishka Esterhazy, has been working with Block on a project to bring her story to life. Now, thanks to some wonderful support via crowd funding and an amazing collection of film talent, behind the camera and in front, Esterhazy is presenting the World Premiere of the short film Thursday, December 8th, 2016, tomorrow night as of this writing and TONIGHT for many readers seeing this post for the first time.

We are happy to announce our WORLD PREMIERE at the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles. Thursday December 8th at 1pm. Tickets are available HERE. (FTNH: $10-$50)

Production still from The Singing Bones - Red Czarina

Block posted a brief, but illuminating announcement when the first image from the film was released. We're including most of it here, as it will give you insights into the story, the film, why this is one to keep an eye out for, and, if you're in LA, worth giving up your Thursday night to go check it out, if it's at all possible.

I wrote the story "Bones" as part of my collection of fairy tale retellings, The Rose And The Beast.  It is an emotional story for me  because the nameless main character represents the sense of loss, isolation, and loneliness, and the self-destructive tendencies, of my late teens and early twenties.   When Danishka Esterhazy shot her adaptation The Singing Bones in Oakland this last weekend, I was transported forward into the world of her fairy tale and backward into my past.  As I sat behind Katie Polley, while Michael Klinger seduced her with blue cake, blue drinks and his blue gaze, tears filled my eyes. Katie's stunning, fine-tuned acting skills and the fascinating way I was situated made me feel I was reliving my painful past through her, facing my seductive self-destruction embodied by a gorgeous, charming and intelligent young actor playing a Bluebeard-like character. 

The cathartic aspect of theater is something I've never been so fully aware of. 

This is one reason I want to work in film. Perhaps nothing is more powerful.

(Doesn't that make you want to go to the theater or get involved in creating and supporting a film of a story you love as well? Us too. If you're serious about film, we know some worthy indie filmmakers, Esterhazy and her company Red Czarina included, who could use your help.)

Award winning, indie filmmaker, Danishka Esterhazy

Block also interviewed Esterhazy about her love of fairy tales and aspects of creating this new film. From Block's blog:

FLB: We share an interest in dark retellings of classic fairy tales. What do these tales mean to you? You’ve based work on Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood and The Snow Queen (as well as Bluebeard in The Singing Bones). What do these specific tales represent for you? What other tales are important in your  life? Who introduced you to these stories? 

DE: My mother read fairy tales to me and encouraged me to be an avid reader. So I have her to thank. She has always liked ghost stories, too, so I grew up hearing a lot of fabulous scary tales. But what I love about retelling fables is the power of layered meaning that becomes possible when a story is ancient and well-known. The audience is already familiar with the characters, with the plot, so you have a shorthand for communicating ideas. You can draw attention to important themes in a powerful way. And I love to take a story where the moral is all about a woman's need to conform - to turn that upside down - and make it about empowerment.

You can read the whole interview HERE.

If you are one of the lucky ones to attend the premiere, let us know! We'd love to hear about it and what you thought. (We are predicting all good things!)

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the Gumnut Babies!

Today, 5th December, is the 100th anniversary of the publication of Gumnut Babies by May Gibbs! 

This teeny little book was the first in a huge and much beloved series in Australia, which included the popular Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Adventures of Ragged Blossom, and Little Obelia, introduced the concept of fairies in the Australian bush and landscape. 

May Gibbs, who adored Australian fauna and flora, saw the Australian bush as a magical place and these tiny creatures, and the supporting cast of talking animals and scary Banksia men, were characters she felt were constantly present but just beyond our vision. Her artistic depiction of Australian flora, in particular, was  - and remains - stunning and, with the aid of these Australia faerie characters, helped generations grow up with a special appreciation of the beauty in the harsh landscape of Australia and its potential for magic. She grew to be Australia's best-know and most enduring children's author. Though she didn't publish her first volume, Gumnut Babies, until she was 38, the popularity of her work meant that, unlike many other artists and writers of that era, she was able to make a living from her illustrations and writing.

Souriante (self portrait, smiling)
by May Gibbs, c.1923

First published on 5 December 1916, and retailing at one shilling and sixpence. the first print run of 3,000 books sold out before Christmas. The characters, cute, innocent anthropomorphised gumnuts and gum-blossoms were extremely popular with the war weary public in Australia. (source)

2016 marks the centenary of the publication of May Gibbs' Gumnut Babies. This much-loved book introduced Australian children to the Gumnut Babies, small imaginary inhabitants of the Australian bush. The Gumnut Babies resemble human babies but wear little gumnut hats and gumleaf girdles. The girls, called Gum Blossom Babies, wear frilly skirts made of eucalyptus blossom and have little blossom caps. These tiny fairies of the bush live among the gum trees with other bush babies, such as the Boronia Babies, Wattle Babies and Flannel Flower Babies.

The bushlands and wonderful wildflowers of the region gave May a deep and abiding love of Australian flora and fauna. After studying art in England, in 1913 she returned to Australia and wrote and illustrated Gumnut Babies, the first of her 18 books on a bush theme. May Gibbs' stories, illustrated with her watercolour and pen-and-ink drawings, are now regarded as classics of Australian children's literature.  (source)

When May Gibbs died in 1969, she left her estate to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and all her artworks, papers and copyright to the NSW Society for Crippled Children (now The Northcott Society) and the Spastic Centre of NSW (now the Cerebral Palsy Alliance). In 1970 the two charities presented the May Gibbs archive to the State Library of NSW.
                           
To celebrate this anniversary, the State Library of New South Wales is hosting a free display featuring the original illustrations and beautiful reproductions from May Gibbs' much loved children’s books. 

May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 years is on display until 26 February 2017. (source)

You can read more about May Gibbs and her publishing HERE.

There are also, as you might expect, celebratory stamps, and a special envelope with coin and stamp collectible. (See above.) You can go collectible hunting HERE and HERE.

And, because our FTNH is particularly fond of May Gibbs (being her great-great aunt possibly has something to do with that), we are including some additional images specially selected for nostalgia.

Merry Krampusnacht! We Are Reading 'He Sees You When He's Creepin': Tales of Krampus'

Tonight, December 5th, is Krampus Night or Krampusnacht - the night before the feast of Saint Nicholas (December 6th). Krampus has had a bit of a revival in recent years, becoming a better known figure in pop culture, but not just as "the horror story of Christmastime" but with respect to him being Santa's partner - his bouncer if you will. Krampus' scary appearance and tools of chains and "switches" are especially for taking the wicked - the Devil through to very bad children - to task.

I have to say, if I was in Saint Nicholas' business, I'd want a formidable counterpart to help me out too! And that's exactly what Krampus traditionally does.

That doesn't mean that's the whole story though.

Kate Wolford - fairy godmother, mentor and cheering leader to fairy tale writers everywhere - has produced a second Krampus anthology, He Sees You When He's Creepin': Tales of Krampus, just in time for the season, and the range of stories are wonderful.

Kate introduces the twelve short stories with one of her brilliant, informative and accessible mini-essays, explaining the basics of Krampus for newbies but also putting some great meat in there for those more familiar with this old holiday character. (We are big fans of all of Kate's intros!)

The previous Krampus anthology released in 2014, Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, also helmed by Kate and produced by World Weaver Press, was a big hit, and hit the pop culture pulse in conjunction with the horror-light movie Krampus hitting the big screens the following year. (We keep hearing praise for that movie from very different sources, so while that's not our usual fare, we think it's time we had a viewing for our newsroom.)

In the meantime, we have been fortunate to have just received a copy of the second anthology and have been visiting Krampus stories right through the weekend, with much enjoyment and relish! Somehow these short stories manage to bring the season into focus, even while Krampus - and the darker side of folk - are in the spotlight, and that's quite an achievement. For example, the opening story, in which Krampus meets a less than saintly Cinderella (and ends up doing some very non-traditional fairy godmother work) was a wonderful surprise. There was much more to this story than at first met the eye and we were thrilled to find other folklore at home in fairyland, woven in as well. We wish we could say more to tease you in, but we don't want to spoil the twists and surprises... just grab yourself a copy and then we can chat. ;)

We may be teasing you more in the coming days up to the Winter solstice, so keep an eye out!

And for digital readers, finishing today - December 5th, aka Krampusnacht, you can get Kate's new second Krampus anthology for $3.99 as an ebook. We would suggest it's a lovely early present to send to someone who could use a dose of the season with a twist - or as a reward to yourself for surviving 2016.