Helen Jacobs

Helen Mary Jacobs (10 October 1888 – 15 December 1970) was an English artist and illustrator known for her work on comic strips for children's annuals, especially fairy art. She also illustrated children's novels and educational school books.

Early life Jacobs was born 10 October 1888 in Ilford, Essex, the youngest of five children of wharf manager William Jacobs and his second wife Ellen, née Flory. She had four half-siblings by her father's previous marriage, including short story writer W. W. Jacobs.

She was the main illustrator for children's books by Stella Mead, also providing illustrations for other authors including Enid Blyton, Lilian Gask, Ethel McPherson, and Constance M. Martin.

Her "charming" illustrations, Christopher Wood wrote in Fairies in Victorian Art, "sum up the transition of fairy painting into the world of children's books." Her precise, naturalistic style became brighter and bolder when she began illustrating school books later in life, while she was a primary school teacher in Stoke Newington.

She died on 15 December 1970.