There are lots of different variations on the theme of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, as with most fairy tales. Many stories about slumbering princesses exist across the world. Perhaps the most well-known version of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ these days is Disney’s adaptation of the fairy tale, which seems to have taken inspiration from the versions of the tale penned by Charles Perrault (1628-1703 CE) and the Brothers Grimm.

We have quite a few pieces which relate to the story of Sleeping Beauty in the Whitworth’s collection and, unsurprisingly, they are the work of Walter Crane (1845-1915). Crane was well-known for his illustrations in toy books, illustrated books which rose to prominence during the nineteenth century thanks to the likes of Crane himself. In addition to illustrating toy books, Crane also penned a few himself.

Ruby carefully hand traced an image of a proof from ‘Sleeping Beauty’, designed by Walter Crane, which depicts Sleeping Beauty’s prince cutting a path through a wood comprised of thorns. From Ruby’s tracing, we have created a colouring sheet for your enjoyment.

Download your free colouring sheet below: