Who
Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings incredible woman – Beatrix
Potter, a talented illustrator of small animals and beloved author of The Tale
of Peter Rabbit.
Helen
Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866 in London to a wealthy family. From
childhood, she was imaginative and creative. She liked collecting all kinds of
creatures from the garden. Her Scottish nanny told her stories from Scotland
about fairies and witches who lived in magical forests. Her teacher, on the
other hand, taught her drawing. And the butler sneaked animals to Beatrix’s
bedroom. Those were her first mentors.
Her
mother was stern who wanted her and her brother to be clean all the time. Her
father was more loving. He liked to sketch, too. He took her to museums and
studios of artists who were his friends. At home, she studied the drawings of
animals and plants from her father’s books, and copied them as closely as she
could.
The
family spent summer holidays in the countryside of Scotland where she and her
brother had a freedom of exploring nature. She observed animals in their
natural habitat and sketched them.
Her
brother who became an artist encouraged her to look for a publisher for her
pictures. She found one, but the parents weren’t happy about her making money.
It was different for her brother who was a man.
Beatrix
was very upset about this unfairness. Then, she found another way to express
herself. When her friend’s child became sick, she wrote him a letter about four
rabbits. One of them, the mischievous one, became the most famous rabbit in the
world. Over the years, she sent many letters to all her friend’s children
creating stories about squirrel, little pig and the tailor.
Meanwhile,
she continued her study and drawings of mushrooms. She believed that mushrooms
could be used for medicinal purposes. She presented her discovery to scientific
organization in London. But because she was a woman, no one took her seriously.
She
decided to turn her first letter about the naughty rabbit into a book. All
publishers rejected her idea. So she published it herself. After the copies
sold out quickly, she was able to find a publisher.
There
was time when she worried if there was any purpose to her life. Now, it became
very clear. She loved writing stories for children. Despite the norms of the
time, she continued to pave her own path. She published twenty-three
best-selling books.
Despite
her success, she led a simple and modest life in the countryside, enjoying what
she loved the most – nature.
This
biography illustrates a woman who defied the norms of her time. During her time
and of her status she was expected to get married and have children. That was
the only expectation of her. If no marriage, then she was expected to live with
her parents. She not only found the way to follow her passion but also bought a
house in the Lake District of England where she bought lots of acres of land
and later left it to the National Trust which preserved her lands. She not only
created the most cherished stories for children, but also preserved lands with
natural habitat for generations to come. She is truly an inspiring character.
This
illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable
way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.
Published
2015 by Penguin Workshop
TRENDING
INSPIRATION: Go Where There is No Path and Leave a Trail
Traits:
·
Her creative mind found a way for her
originality to shine through despite the limitations that were put on her
·
She absorbed herself in her passion
·
She created habits to tend to her interests
·
Norms don’t always mean it’s the right way, she
found the right way for herself
·
She didn’t give up on her passion despite the
obstacles
“If
I have done anything, even a little, to help children on the road to enjoy and
appreciate honest, simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good.” – Beatrix
Potter
“Thank
goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the
originality.” – Beatrix Potter
“We
cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we
must look upon it as an adventure.” – Beatrix Potter
“I
hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for
generations.” – Beatrix Potter
“Do
not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave
a trail.” – Harold R McAlindon