George Mac Donald wrote a wonderful book, At The Back of The North Wind, first published as a book in 1871. It has become a timeless classic that has been reprinted for more than a 125 years. This thoughtful book not only appeals to children but also adults. As George Mac Donald stated he did not write only for the young ‘but for the childlike whether of five, or fifty, or seventy-five’. Numerous illustrators have given life to the image of the North Wind as described by George Mac Donald. Below is one of my favorites by Maria L. Kirk. Very little is known about Maria Kirk, despite the fact she illustrated over 50 books. She is perhaps best known for her illustrations for Alice In Wonderland. The image below is true to size and color for this edition printed in 1914 by J. B. Lippincott.