I'm looking for some type of guide book or information book on the various types of Faerie, Fae and Elves.

Question

If possible, I would like one describing the characteristics of each type, their origin and so on. Pictures would be a great bonus. Thank you.

Answer 1

faeries by brian froud is a very good book with details about the different types of faeries and myths surrounding them.

Answer 2

I have an extensive collection of books relating to the Faerie Race.  Those listed here are a fraction of my total collection.  Here are a few of my favorites.  The first year listed refers to the year the book was first published, the second is the most recent published edition I have.  

A Field Guide to the Little People by Nancy Arrowsmith and George Moorse (1977)  One of my all time favorites.  Documentation from sources from as early as the 19th Century.  Excellent descriptions, types, names, some illustrations.

The Comlete Book of the Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker (1923, 2002).  One of my favorites.  Beautiful illustrations and poetic descriptions.

Great Encyclopedia of Faeries:  Secrets Revealed by Pierre Dubois (1999)  Nice, over-sized book with great, detailed descriptions and colorful illustrations.

Faeries and Demons:  And Other Magical Creatures compiled by Edouard Brasey (2002)  Beautiful, over-sized book with exquisite artwork (in color),  descriptions and documentation from as early as the 15th century.

Faeries described and illustrated by Brian Froud and Alan Lee (1978, 2002) Oversized book with description and illustrations (many in color).

Good Faeries; Bad Faeries by Brian Froud (1998) Lovely illustrations (many in color) and detailed descriptions.

Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet (1976) Wonderful oversized book with colorful illustrations, maps and diagrams.  Includes detailed descriptions of habitats, appearance, skills and culture of gnomes.

The Little People:  Stories of Fairies, Pixies and Other Small Folk (2002). Oversized.  Includes categories, descriptions and colorful paintings and illustration.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies by Anna Frankliln (2002).  Colorful illustrations and alphabetical listing of the faery race.  Great descriptions.

The Faery Reel:  Tales from the Twilight Realm edited by Ellen Daltow and Terri Windling (2004) Editors are anthropologists; the stories are re-tellings from old stories which great descriptions can be gleened.  No pictures.

Meeting the Other Crowd:  The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland by Eddie Lenihan and Carolyn Even Green (2003)  Comprehensive tales retold from original sources that provide descriptions of Faery behavior, activities and interactions with humans.

A History of Irish Fairies by Carolyn White (1976, 2001)  Great descriptions, but no pictures.

The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries:  The Classical Study of Leprechauns, Pixies and Other Fairy Spirits by W.Y. Evans-Wentz (1966, 1994)  Excellent documentation; relies on sources from manuscripts from as early as the 16th Century. No pictures.

The Real World of Fairies:  A First-Person Account by Dora Van Gelder (1979, 1999)  No pictures.

Fairies:  Real Encounters with Little People by Janet Bord (1997).  Includes documentation from the 19th Century. No pictures.

Answer 3

There are almost as many books on the subject as there are varieties of faeries to write about.

Brian Froud has several whimsical little books about them, and expresses his own belief in faeries in each.

I would recommend looking up collections of folklore from Europe [especially Great Britain] and India for the best variety.

The posters above me have suggested rather good sources, as well.

Answer 4

"Fairies in Victorian Art" by Christopher Wood

"Great Encyclopedia of Faeries" by Pierre Dubois, Claudine and Roland Sabatier-illustrated

I hope you enjoy these beautiful books.