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The Country Artist: A Story About Beatrix Potter
A biography of the English author and illustrator who grew up during the Victorian era and whose detailed drawings of plants and animals found their way into her famous picture books
Library Binding
First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
David R. Collins
103 books1 followerDavid R. Collins is a published author and a narrator of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of David R. Collins include George Washington Carver: Man's Slave Becomes God's Scientist, Cesar Chavez (Just the Facts Biographies), J. R. R. Tolkien (Just the Facts Biographies), and The Time Travelling Cat & the Tudor Treasure.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 29, 2020
The publisher has a good reputation, and there is a six item bibliography. This was such an engaging read it seemed almost as if it twisted the truths, but I don't think it did. It may have left some things out, but it's very short, and aimed at 7-9 year old children, so of course it did. I enjoyed the narrative bio and the illustrations very much. I liked learning that Potter was a brave woman, in some respects a feminist.
July 21, 2019
This is the life story of Beatrix Potter, the beloved English artist and storyteller. It is amazing that Beatrix thrived in spite of her limited world. Her father was an English barrister. However, because of the family wealth, he delved into what he loved -- photography. After Beatrix's brother went off to boarding school, Beatrix was trapped in a lonely world of the nursery room and governesses.
Luckily for Beatrix, she had an assortment of fascinating servants who kept her entertained with stories of witches and fairies and stories of animals in the glens. The butler helped Beatrix adopt a bevy of feathered and furry animals.
The story is told for grades 4 through 8. It is accompanied by lively art. This is a quick and enjoyable read.
Luckily for Beatrix, she had an assortment of fascinating servants who kept her entertained with stories of witches and fairies and stories of animals in the glens. The butler helped Beatrix adopt a bevy of feathered and furry animals.
The story is told for grades 4 through 8. It is accompanied by lively art. This is a quick and enjoyable read.
July 2, 2019
Good story and biography of Beatrix Potter, just wish it could have included some of her work. Either some of her illustrations or prose.
April 23, 2021
I told my 10 year old I would take her for ice cream if she would read this.
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May 10, 2021My youngest, 6, expressed many times how boring it was 😅 my eldest, 9, however, did enjoy it.
April 23, 2013
MENAGERIE IN A NURSERY
This is an easy introduction into the genre of Biography, only 52 pages, with pen and ink sketches by Karen Ritz. This book about the life of the first author to write a book just for children to enjoy (rather than be instructed from) can easily be read in one sitting. It reveals the crippling limitations of Victorian women of the Gentry in both Career and Marriage. Was poor Beatrix doomed to be a spinster?
An excellent First Biography in short sentences for school children. Also a good study in Victorian upbringing (where children were not always Seen, much less Heard!) Beatrix was raised in a home considered strict even by Victorian standards. Thus the book could stimulate discussion about when it was best/worst to be a child, as well as Women's Roles in Victorian Society. Children might even ask about Queen Victoria.
Most important is the care which Beatrix put into her books--not just the stories and the illustrations, but her insistence that the format be sized for children's smaller hands. The book includes a complete listing of her tales plus a bibliography. This book just might lead some elementary children to reread their childhood favorites! Or inspire them to read these tales aloud to Kindergarten classes. They would be amazed to learn that serious adults actually belong to a Peter Rabbit Society too!
(May 2, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
This is an easy introduction into the genre of Biography, only 52 pages, with pen and ink sketches by Karen Ritz. This book about the life of the first author to write a book just for children to enjoy (rather than be instructed from) can easily be read in one sitting. It reveals the crippling limitations of Victorian women of the Gentry in both Career and Marriage. Was poor Beatrix doomed to be a spinster?
An excellent First Biography in short sentences for school children. Also a good study in Victorian upbringing (where children were not always Seen, much less Heard!) Beatrix was raised in a home considered strict even by Victorian standards. Thus the book could stimulate discussion about when it was best/worst to be a child, as well as Women's Roles in Victorian Society. Children might even ask about Queen Victoria.
Most important is the care which Beatrix put into her books--not just the stories and the illustrations, but her insistence that the format be sized for children's smaller hands. The book includes a complete listing of her tales plus a bibliography. This book just might lead some elementary children to reread their childhood favorites! Or inspire them to read these tales aloud to Kindergarten classes. They would be amazed to learn that serious adults actually belong to a Peter Rabbit Society too!
(May 2, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
October 19, 2013
Read by: Melanie
Genre: Biography
Author: David R. Collins Illustrator: Karen Ritz
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 5
DRA: N/A
Lexile: 830 L
Beatrix Potter grew up in an era where children were to be seen and not heard, but was still able to have a world of wonder through her governess and nurse telling her stories and her butler Cox finding her furry friends to keep her company. Beatrix was always imaginative and wrote the Tale of Peter Rabbit for the son of a friend and eventually she printed it herself after receiving multiple rejections. Beatrix married at age 47 still believing herself as a child because of her enjoyment of life. She passed at age 77 and her farm lands are still in tact almost as they were when she lived at Hill Top Farm. This book is full of information and would be a great educational tool to teach kids about the author and her life.
Genre: Biography
Author: David R. Collins Illustrator: Karen Ritz
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 5
DRA: N/A
Lexile: 830 L
Beatrix Potter grew up in an era where children were to be seen and not heard, but was still able to have a world of wonder through her governess and nurse telling her stories and her butler Cox finding her furry friends to keep her company. Beatrix was always imaginative and wrote the Tale of Peter Rabbit for the son of a friend and eventually she printed it herself after receiving multiple rejections. Beatrix married at age 47 still believing herself as a child because of her enjoyment of life. She passed at age 77 and her farm lands are still in tact almost as they were when she lived at Hill Top Farm. This book is full of information and would be a great educational tool to teach kids about the author and her life.
October 6, 2014
A simple biography of Beatrix Potter the author of "Petter Rabbit", she ends up dying with 4,000 acres of land. Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M. Get the money; dollar, dollar bill, y'all.
July 6, 2014
Perfect young reader biography~
October 12, 2016
A delightful biography to read aloud to children who love her books.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews