Book excerpt: Wondrous Deeds of Bygone Days – Illustrated by Harry Theaker is written by M. Dorothy Belgrave and Hilda Hart. This book contains a beautiful collection of short stories and legends from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Harry G. Theaker (1873 – 1954) was a British illustrator, painter, designer, and decorator for pottery. Born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, he was the son of George Theaker whom was headmaster of the School of Art in Burslem from 1869-94 and designer for pottery. Theaker was also best known as a successful illustrator, particularly of children’s books. His first known published works date from about 1911, and most of his further illustrations date from the 1920’s and 1930’s. These include works such as; The Ingoldsby Legends, Children’s Stories from The Arabian Nights, The Water Babies, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Theaker also made hand-coloured plates from Sir John Tenniel’s original illustrations to Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass for editions published between 1911 and 1930.