Gumnut Babies ~

A few days ago I found a small branch from an oak tree lying in my driveway. The leaves were still bright green and it had tiny little acorns on it, with their caps still firmly attached. Coincidentally, a friend of mine wrote to me the next day about the same thing, and asked if I'd ever heard of Gumnut Babies. I hadn't. These delightful characters are the creation of Australian children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist May Gibbs (1877 - 1969). Born in the United Kingdom, Gibbs moved to Australia with her family when she was a young child. She fell in love with the Australian bush, where she would ride her pony and let her imagination soar. Her imaginative interpretation of the bush greatly influenced her later work. Gibbs first book featuring the Gumnut Babies was published in 1916, followed by several other works featuring the characters. Her most famous was published in 1918, and titled "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie." May Gibbs also created two comic strips, Bib and Bub and Twiggy Touchwood. They were published in Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy!

  

One of my favorites! A Gumnut Babies' party!

 

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday on The Brambleberry Cottage!