Who was Beatrix Potter? by Sarah Fabiny

 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