Limited Edition Book Design

I created the book entirely by hand, sourcing the text online and carefully styling every page, including the half title, full title, table of contents, chapter openers, and colophon. After printing all 416 pages, I stitched the book block together in 12 page signatures, then built a custom case from book board, embossed a star onto the cover, covered it in leather, and glued the book block inside.

all photography done by Claire Filby

I designed this limited edition book with the intention of creating a reading experience that feels timeless and whimsical. For the typeface, I selected Adobe Jensen Pro because its small caps variation adds a bold, fantastical quality, while the slightly quirky serif details give the body text a distinctive character that supports the tone of the story. I wanted the typography to feel both classic and imaginative, something that invites the reader into the world of the book the moment they begin reading.

The end sheets use natural paper with real pressed flowers, which brings in an earthy quality that echoes the raw, natural side of the stories from the very first page. I created a leather case with a star embossed on the cover, a detail that hints at wonder and encourages the reader to enter the realm of storytelling. A star or a spark makes me picture the magic coming from a fairy's fingertips. 

I added a bookmark ribbon with young readers in mind. It feels playful and it makes it easy for a younger reader to return to where they left off. The illustrations were sourced from Adobe Stock as well as from the work of H. J. Ford and G. P. Jacomb Hood. Their detailed, narrative-driven styles enhance the storytelling and align with the traditional, almost folkloric quality I wanted the edition to convey.