It was first published in 1930 by the government printer, and thereafter distributed to every child in second grade in Victorian state schools. The book brings back bad memories. The drawings, all from the hand of one lady illustrator, are impossibly cloying.
Female fairies ballet about stretching their skirt hems, and have huge hair.
They all share a pouty-lipped simper, even when playing the flute. The words are worse. But we don't find a number of things in here. The core drama is about not getting these glossy clothes wet, which is where the toadstools come in. There are also lots of Rossetti lullabies and buttercups and daisies.