Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs (1918) is the quintessential Australian children’s storybook, all about little gumnut babies and their adventures with other creatures of the bush. I remember having it read to my third grade class by a favourite teacher, and being entirely enthralled.
After joyfully pouncing on it in a bookstore one day, I begged my sister to buy me my very own copy “for my 8th birthday”, I coaxed. It cost six whole dollars; very expensive at the time. She bought it for me on the spot – or so I remember – and I have it to this day. The book is very decrepit now, having lost its spine through some misadventure long ago, and I have a recollection of spilling Coke on the cover. I was very upset at the time.
I’d had an idea to dress up as Ragged Blossom in homage to May Gibbs last year, but it was only when I found a vintage hat with all its unravelling tulle that it began to come together. Then I snapped up a pink Hawaiian skirt, and found a Ragged Blossom tree actually all in bloom just three weeks ago. Add a magenta wig borrowed from my cousin, a bit of Photoshop magic, and Little Ragged Blossom comes to life a hundred years after she is first written.
I particularly love the suave pair of gumnuts in the upper box. 
I distinctly recall being fascinated by this particular illustration. How apt.
The End.