First published in 1925, Fairy Book is a locally beloved collection of whimsical tales written by Adelaide Royer and illustrated by her sister, artist Nell Brooker Mayhew.

This volume was inspired by their mother Ella Danely and her storybook “Mother-in-Law” Cottage—designed in 1923 by Adelaide’s husband, prominent Urbana architect Joseph Royer. With its off-center fieldstone chimney, arched doorway, and fairy-tale proportions, the cottage sparked wonder among neighborhood children: could hardworking woodland fairies from Urbana’s Big Grove have secretly built it?

Featuring a new foreword by Dr. Brian Adams, this limited-edition release honors the artistry of Adelaide and Nell and invites a new generation to explore the magic, history, and heart of Urbana’s most enchanting stories.