Children are hard to draw but Cicely Mary Barker's whimsical work from almost 100 years ago portrays them well. The following text is from her website: 

Since their first publication in 1923, Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies have enchanted both adults and children alike around the world. The botanically accurate drawings in the 170 original illustrations, coupled with the enchanting fairy images based on real children from Cicely’s sister’s nursery school, appeal to our innate sense of magic and wonder.

Originally accompanied by a poem or verse dedicated to the individual Flower Fairy the charming characters and detailed artwork have also been translated into fiction for young readers as well as the New York Times bestselling Fairyopolis series. Be sure to click the link below for website with all of her illustrations.

The Pre-Raphaelite painters of the late1800's and early 1900 painted fantasy and myth. Edward Robert Hughes's work is to the left and below.

The mermaid is by another Pre-Raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse. The Fairy below the mermaid is by John Atkinson Grimshaw - Spirit of the Night.