Beatrix Books

This unusual memoir of beloved author-illustrator Beatrix Potter is by Ulla Hyde-Parker. She was a Dane married to William, 11th Baronet of Parker, who in his childhood was the adoring child for whom "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was written.

In 1931 "Willie" was eager for his bride to become acquainted with "Cousin Beatie." The couple made their first visit to Sawrey above Lake Windermere in the Lake District where Beatrix and Ulla warmed to each other, beginning a special friendship. Beatrix Potter was tentative about giving of herself in that manner. Together the women shared their love of art and the countryside, and for the Elizabethan mansion, Melford Park, the family seat of the Hyde-Parkers. Some of Beatie's watercolors of the home are included in this book.

Interestingly children were difficult for the author of the universally loved stories to interact with, possibly because she was childless. When she visited, though, she brought animals in cages which captivated the children. Later, when Ulla's husband was severely wounded in World War 2 and needed a quiet space for recovery, Cousin Beatie offered her private "Hilltop" cottage for the family to use. It had not been occupied since Beatrix' marriage, and certainly all manner of cobwebs were swept out before the family and nanny moved in!

We are wonderfully fortunate as readers to be able to read this remembrance written with great insight and sensitivity. Reviewer mcHaiku believes it was shared because Lady Hyde-Parker wanted readers of 'Peter Rabbit' & the other tales to appreciate that the woman who had such talent with the paintbrush also recognized individual sheep in their flock, talked knowledgeably with tenants about farm concerns and grew far beyond a very conventional upbringing. Beatrix Potter did not seek to charm but she had her own way of making thousands of readers her lifelong admirers.

I use this book with my Spanish level one class to give them some supplemental material. The students really enjoy it.

Beatrix Potter vivió hace más de 100 años, sin embargo sus historias tienen plena vigencia y actualidad, las historias de Peter y sus hermanos, son siempre agradables, llenas de pequeñas aventuras que emocionan a los niños, están llenas de buenos mensajes, de respeto por la naturaleza, de ternura y amor y son perfectas para leer en compañia de niños pequeños.

My 18 month old son loves books and this is one of his favorites. It is a nice sturdy board book. Each page features a different texture to feel. The first page has leaves that crinkle and says 'Peter likes playing on a windy day'. The text is short and simple and the illustrations are cute.

In the course of my research, I have found this to be the absolute best source of information on Beatrix Potter available. Actually, it is not available, as it is now out-of-print.

I would like to purchase a personal copy of this book. If you have one available for sale, please contact me at KIMBLE@mail.nwmissouri.edu

or Mary Ellen Kimble Owens Library Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO 64468

As I am writing this I am not even done reading the book, but I would just like to express high regards for it. It is full of tough, heartbreaking poems about family, relationships, grief, menace, darkness and love. I can't wait to read the final pages. I think this book is certainly worth the money.

If you're a fan of Cy Twombly, you'll almost certainly enjoy this book. She's Cy Twombly in 3D. Many "neu" art books today bore you to tears and lack even a negligible amount of adrenaline (a hook, so to speak). You walk away feeling cheated, not having cared one bit about the artist you've just imagined.
Most readers will not be easily distracted with this book. Especially if you're not familiar with the artists work. This book will grab you, shake you all up, break you down and, with a sprinkling of contemporary issues thrown in, make you imagine your artistic sensibilities anew.
What do you allow yourself?

On a recent trip we purchased quite a few sticker books for our toddler and I'd say this one had the most beautiful illustrations, though it was not the most exciting. Over 50 reusable stickers can be placed atop one one-page or seven two-page watercolor illustrations. While not the stuff for train and car fiends, it will delight little fans of the Peter Rabbit and Mr. Toad variety. You get a lot more stickers than in other books of this kind, and they are of high quality.

The simple text and artwork captivated my daughter. The sturdy hard board is great for a toddler. This is one of her favorite books.

This is one of my 10 month old's favorites. She loves the simple text and colorful pictures...and her favorite part is the last page, where the bunny snores. She never tires of it!