Beloved children’s book author/illustrator Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) needs no introduction. Here are three picture books written about her life, by publication date. (N.B. the second review is taken from this blog post.)
Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail (Henry Hold and Company, 2015)
This short biography of Beatrix Potter covers her childhood until the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, focusing on her love of the countryside and painting. The water colour and pen and ink illustrations are charming, but I found the text straightforward and dare I say boring. It’s a good introduction to Beatrix Potter’s childhood for young children. No author’s note. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Charlotte Voake (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2016)
Since I admire Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) it pains me to say that the content of this picture book is grim. In a conversational tone it describes the young Beatrix’s life and disasters involving her many pets. The focus of the book is the story of her borrowing a neighbour’s guinea pig to paint it; unfortunately it ate paper and paste and died during the night! The illustrations are informal pictures in water colour and pen. A two-page author’s note gives biographical info and inspiration for the story, plus drawings and photographs; there also suggested resources and photograph and art credits. If only the author could have chosen a more positive event to write about! Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati (Little Bee Books, 2020)
This was by far my favourite of the three books. It describes Beatrix Potter’s childhood, the publication of her books, her scientific drawings, and her purchase of land in the Lake District to save it from development. The details in the text make for interesting reading and I love the illustration style as well. A full page author’s note explains the inspiration for the book and a list of sources is included. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.