Reading recommendations
Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Marshall (author) and Ilaria Urbinati (illustrator)
Growing up in London, Beatrix Potter felt the restraints of Victorian times. Girls didn’t go to school and weren’t expected to work. But she longed to do something important, something that truly mattered. As Beatrix spent her summers in the country and found inspiration in nature, it was through this passion that her creativity flourished. This beautiful picture book shines a light on Beatrix Potter’s lesser-known history and her desire to do something for the greater good.
Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail (author and illustrator)
All her life, Beatrix Potter loved to paint. From a young age, she painted the bunnies, mice, and other pets who populated her family home. These characters later populated her stories, which are beloved the whole world over. With beautiful scenes rich in detail, David McPhail transports us to the charming English countryside and the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter.
Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsey H. Metcalf (author) and Junyi Wu (illustrator)
Everyone knows Beatrix Potter as the creator of the Peter Rabbit stories. But before that, she was a girl of science. As a child, Beatrix collected nature specimens; as a young adult, she was an amateur mycologist presenting her research on mushrooms and other fungi to England’s foremost experts. Like many women of her time, she remained unacknowledged by the scientific community, but her keen eye for observation led her to an acclaimed career as an artist and storyteller. A beloved author is cast in a new light in this inspiring picture book story.
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter (author and illustrator)
Beatrix Potter started her career as a children’s author and illustrator in 1901, when she was thirty-five years old. She wrote and illustrated twenty-eight books, including her twenty-three tales, which have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Today, children all over the world enjoy these twenty-three timeless tales.
V&A Introduces: Beatrix Potter by Katie Woolley (author) and Ginnie Hsu (illustrator)
V&A Introduces is a series that celebrates icons from the world of art and design in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Join Beatrix Potter, one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time, on a journey through her fascinating life. Beyond her career as a children’s author, discover how Beatrix Potter protected our countryside and even started her own farm!
