The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
The Tale of Beatrix Potter
Are you a fan of books about Peter Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin? These longtime favorites were written by Beatrix Potter, an Englishwoman born in 1866.
When Potter was in her late 20s, she sent a letter to Noel, the son of her former governess, or teacher. Noel was ill, and when Potter ran out of things to talk to him about, she told a story about four little bunnies. Several years later, she published the story as a book.
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” became one of the most popular children’s books of all time. It was the first of her 23 “little books.” All were small so kids could hold them easily.
Early life
Potter was born in London, England.
From age 8, she spent much of her time drawing. She drew her pets, which included mice, lizards and rabbits.
She also painted landscapes and plants.
As a child, she enjoyed family vacations in a part of
England with lots of lakes. She learned to love the countryside.
In 1905, she bought a farm there called Hill Top. Many of her books are set in this area.
Drawing talent
Not only did Potter draw animals in make-believe scenes, but she also drew nature as it truly was. Her attention to detail was so good that she might have become an illustrator for science books.
The books
At first, Potter had a hard time finding a publisher for her first book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” Many that she sent it to turned it down. But she did not give up, and a publisher, Frederick Warne & Co., published it in 1902.
Other books followed, including “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny,” “The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies,” “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin” and “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck.” The last one she wrote was “The Tale of Little Pig Robinson,” in 1930.