- Norman Vincent Peale

"Change Your Thoughts and You Change the World." -Norman Vincent Peale

Monday, December 5, 2011

Beatrix Potter

I loved Beatrix Potter's books when I was a child. I read Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mrs.Tiggy-Winkle, and Jemima Puddle-Duck stories. Potter was born in London, England, on July 28, 1866 and died on December 22, 1943 at the age of 77. 

                    Quotes and Pictures: Beatrix Potter
 






"Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality. " 
- Beatrix Potter






"I cannot rest, I must draw, however poor the result, and when I have a bad time come over me it is a stronger desire than ever." 
- Beatrix Potter, from her Journals





 
"I hold an old-fashioned notion that a happy marriage is the crown of a woman's life." 
- Beatrix Potter [Journals 1894]
















 
"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” 
- Beatrix Potter in her 70s, 1938


















Wow! What a large tea cup this is. The mice looks tiny beside it. This may account why children love Potter's books so much. Their world is small and so they can relate to the tiny world of rabbits and squirrels.














I wore my copy out of this book. I could not wait to see what Peter Rabbit would do next. I also love to draw and sketch. 



Not long ago, I watched the movie Miss Potter, which is a biographical depiction of Beatrix Potter's life. The movie came out in 2006 and stars Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, and Emily Watson.

Historical Era: Edwardian England, Beatrix Potter - Watch Official Trailer



 
- The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck [Read Online]


My love for fowl, chickens, birds, and peacocks, probably began with Potter's illustrated sketches. The ducks seem to jump off the page, similar to the movie. She is so cute in her bonnet and shawl.









Puddle duck
"She set off on a fine spring afternoon along the cart-road that leads over the hill. She was wearing a shawl and a poke bonnet." 









Who could not love these little guys? They are so human-like with their little jackets and hats.  Some of Potter's characters even wear shoes. I love their long ears and almond-shaped eyes.













Potter's creatures got into so much trouble!  But that is why I enjoyed reading them.

They had one adventure after another. In addition, they could get into small places, without any problems. 













This sketch is a mother rabbit taking care of her little ones. Of course, there is always one sibling that is not happy. Peter Rabbit is sad here.

This picture reminds me of my four siblings. We had to share everything and often fought over things. 

Mama had to separate us and ration food, toys, and games.








 
"This a Tale about a tail - a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood at the edge of a lake."
- The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, Beatrix Potter [Read Online]















 
"But still through the nicks in the shutters he could hear the click of thimbles, and little mouse voices singing - 'No more twist! No more twist!'"
- The Tailor of Gloucester
 Children's books are unique and fun to read! I love Potter's sketches and divine stories. Children still read them today. What is not to like about these stories? It is entertainment and fantasy wrapped together. Open one of Beatrix Potter's books and see what adventure you find!


Beatrix Potter Related Links: