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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Beatrix Potter?
Born into wealth in 1860’s London, Beatrix Potter always had a vivid imagination. Her early interests included natural history and archaeology, and Potter delighted in sketching fossils and fungi. After briefly illustrating Christmas cards with her brother, Bertram, Potter wrote and illustrated her well-known book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The book was rejected by several publishes until Frederick Warne eventually took a risk and published the story in 1902 - a risk that paid off. Peter Rabbit was a huge success and readers loved hearing about Peter's mischevious adventures in the lush English countryside. As she got older, Beatrix Potter became a proud conservationist, working hard to defend the landscape she loved so well against industrialization and logging. Now over one hundred years old, Peter Rabbit and his animal friends have become cultural touchstones and continue to delight readers of all ages.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2015
42 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 2, 2024
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.
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.
May 9, 2022
A straightforward glimpse of Beatrix Potter’s extraordinary, fascinating life and her exceptional, remarkable work. This little biographical story less than 120 pages long, is written in a very simple and clear manner.
Perhaps, since Beatrix Potter's delightful skills as a fine-meticulous artist and illustrator, i was expecting the illustrations of this book to be more vivid, more ornamented, and more in Beatrix's style. However, they are still beautifully crafted and give this biography a refreshing clarity.
Perhaps, since Beatrix Potter's delightful skills as a fine-meticulous artist and illustrator, i was expecting the illustrations of this book to be more vivid, more ornamented, and more in Beatrix's style. However, they are still beautifully crafted and give this biography a refreshing clarity.
December 1, 2022
Great story, love this series!! What a neat woman! After reading this, I bought her whole collection of stories!
November 24, 2019
Nota: 8
Me ha gustado mucho el libro, especialmente, porque me interesa mucho la vida de Beatrix Potter. Es una biografía corta, directa y en un inglés muy sencillo.
Beatrix Potter fue una mujer...¿revolucionaria? ¿Diferente? Lo que sí que fue es alguien realmente inteligente, que no hizo lo que esperaban de ella en la época.
Muy interesante
Me ha gustado mucho el libro, especialmente, porque me interesa mucho la vida de Beatrix Potter. Es una biografía corta, directa y en un inglés muy sencillo.
Beatrix Potter fue una mujer...¿revolucionaria? ¿Diferente? Lo que sí que fue es alguien realmente inteligente, que no hizo lo que esperaban de ella en la época.
Muy interesante
April 14, 2020
This was a very random choice of a book. The history of this remarkable woman whom was more than a dear children's writter.
Beatrix was a very lonely child and young woman, restricted and confined by her parents , grew up alone with the only company of a more younger brother until he was send to school ; but she was left at home. However, Beatrix's father took her to meet cinematography and artists, fostering her artistic inclinations. So she fill her life studying tomes of natural life, insects and plants and drawing them in detail. She surrounded herself with pets, small animals and insects. His interests ranged from fossils to archeology. Later, she have a governess, her first friend, Annie Carter. Beatrix even tried to publish a book about fungi, but the scientic society never took her seriously because of her gender and private studies.
The birth of the famous characters that made her known worldwide was due to letters that she sent to Annie's children to cheer them up when they were sick, telling them short stories with some drawings.
She was a very independent lady for her time, she did not want to marry who her parents chose, and instead followed her own ideas.
The publication of her books is presented by the movie , beautiful and sad. Never thought of her big sucess - 23 tales and other books.
Her life ended with she dedicating herself to the farm, raising sheep, and preserving the lands in their natural state.
"If I have anything" , Beatrix wrote, "even a little, to help children on the road to enjoy honest,simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good."
-----------------------------
Esta fue una elección muy aleatoria de un libro. La historia de esta notable mujer que era más que una querida escritora para niños.
Beatrix era una niña y jovencita muy solitaria, restringida y confinada por sus padres, creció sola con la única compañía de un hermano más joven hasta que fue enviado a la escuela interno; pero a ella la dejaron en casa. Sin embargo, el padre de Beatrix la llevo a conocer cinematografia y artistas, propiciando sus inclinaciones artisticas. Ella llenó su vida estudiando tomos de vida natural, insectos y plantas, y dibujándolos en detalle. Se rodeó de pequeños animales e insectos como compañia. Más tarde, ella tiene una institutriz, su primera amiga, Annie Carter que era unos pocos años mayor que ella. Beatrix incluso trató de publicar un libro sobre hongos, pero la sociedad científica nunca la tomó en serio debido a su género.
El nacimiento de los famosos personajes que la hicieron conocida mundialmente se debio a unas cartas que envio a los hijos de su amiga Annie para alegrarlos cuando estaban enfermos , narrandoles pequeños cuentos con algunos dibujos.
La publicación de sus libros es presentada por la película, hermosa y triste. Nunca pensó en el gran éxito que tendria: 23 cuentos y otros libros.
Ella fue una dama muy independiente para su época, no quiso casarse con quienes sus padres eligieron, y por el contrario siguio sus propias ideas.
Su vida la terminó dedicando a la granja, la cría de ovejas, y la preservación de las tierras en su estado natural para que todos pudieran disfrutarlas.
Beatrix was a very lonely child and young woman, restricted and confined by her parents , grew up alone with the only company of a more younger brother until he was send to school ; but she was left at home. However, Beatrix's father took her to meet cinematography and artists, fostering her artistic inclinations. So she fill her life studying tomes of natural life, insects and plants and drawing them in detail. She surrounded herself with pets, small animals and insects. His interests ranged from fossils to archeology. Later, she have a governess, her first friend, Annie Carter. Beatrix even tried to publish a book about fungi, but the scientic society never took her seriously because of her gender and private studies.
The birth of the famous characters that made her known worldwide was due to letters that she sent to Annie's children to cheer them up when they were sick, telling them short stories with some drawings.
She was a very independent lady for her time, she did not want to marry who her parents chose, and instead followed her own ideas.
The publication of her books is presented by the movie , beautiful and sad. Never thought of her big sucess - 23 tales and other books.
Her life ended with she dedicating herself to the farm, raising sheep, and preserving the lands in their natural state.
"If I have anything" , Beatrix wrote, "even a little, to help children on the road to enjoy honest,simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good."
-----------------------------
Esta fue una elección muy aleatoria de un libro. La historia de esta notable mujer que era más que una querida escritora para niños.
Beatrix era una niña y jovencita muy solitaria, restringida y confinada por sus padres, creció sola con la única compañía de un hermano más joven hasta que fue enviado a la escuela interno; pero a ella la dejaron en casa. Sin embargo, el padre de Beatrix la llevo a conocer cinematografia y artistas, propiciando sus inclinaciones artisticas. Ella llenó su vida estudiando tomos de vida natural, insectos y plantas, y dibujándolos en detalle. Se rodeó de pequeños animales e insectos como compañia. Más tarde, ella tiene una institutriz, su primera amiga, Annie Carter que era unos pocos años mayor que ella. Beatrix incluso trató de publicar un libro sobre hongos, pero la sociedad científica nunca la tomó en serio debido a su género.
El nacimiento de los famosos personajes que la hicieron conocida mundialmente se debio a unas cartas que envio a los hijos de su amiga Annie para alegrarlos cuando estaban enfermos , narrandoles pequeños cuentos con algunos dibujos.
La publicación de sus libros es presentada por la película, hermosa y triste. Nunca pensó en el gran éxito que tendria: 23 cuentos y otros libros.
Ella fue una dama muy independiente para su época, no quiso casarse con quienes sus padres eligieron, y por el contrario siguio sus propias ideas.
Su vida la terminó dedicando a la granja, la cría de ovejas, y la preservación de las tierras en su estado natural para que todos pudieran disfrutarlas.
November 15, 2015
You know you've waited in the doctor's office a long time if you are able to start and finish Sarah Fabiny's Who Was Beatrix Potter?. This is exactly what happened to me this past week.
Beatrix Potter, the author of the twenty-three "tale" books including The Tale of Peter Rabbit was not only a groundbreaking author, but also a trailblazer in women's rights.
Born in 1866 into a wealthy family. Potter was raised to be seen and not heard until she would eventually marry or simply stay at home and care for her aging parents. Those were her options. While her brother was sent to a boarding school to be schooled. Potter took art classes at the South Kensington Museum and excelled. Thankfully, Potter's brother Bertram, while home from school on a visit, encouraged Potter to send out her drawings to publishers, and the rest is history.
Although met with adversity and hardship along the way, Potter is a true example of someone who can achieve her dreams with hard work and determination as told in Fabiny's Who Was Beatrix Potter?.
Beatrix Potter, the author of the twenty-three "tale" books including The Tale of Peter Rabbit was not only a groundbreaking author, but also a trailblazer in women's rights.
Born in 1866 into a wealthy family. Potter was raised to be seen and not heard until she would eventually marry or simply stay at home and care for her aging parents. Those were her options. While her brother was sent to a boarding school to be schooled. Potter took art classes at the South Kensington Museum and excelled. Thankfully, Potter's brother Bertram, while home from school on a visit, encouraged Potter to send out her drawings to publishers, and the rest is history.
Although met with adversity and hardship along the way, Potter is a true example of someone who can achieve her dreams with hard work and determination as told in Fabiny's Who Was Beatrix Potter?.
September 6, 2019
Such a lovely glimpse into the life of a trend setter in children's literature!
May 7, 2018
104 pages. Another great biography. I did not know some of the information about this widely read author. She led a very interesting life and was able to self-publish when no one would publish her books. Reading this has inspired me to go back and re-read her books again. Bravo to Peter and all his animal friends…what a treasure! Highly recommended for grades 4 and up.
July 1, 2019
Fascinating to learn how women were treated in England during the 1800s, wealthy parents did not allow their daughters out of sight, even if they were 40 because they weren't married.
Named Helen but they called her by middle name as she was named after her mother (Helen). Now I want to know where this Beatrix name comes from, it's unusual and never seen anyone else named that.
Taught herself about mushrooms and drew lots of accurate sketches of them but because she had ovaries and not testicles she wasn't allowed to present her findings to a scientific (boys) club when she was 31. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix...
Thankfully the Linnean Society issued an apology on the sexism...in 1997, a century too late. Better late than never, and earlier than what the Vatican would have (wasn't it many centuries late for Galileo etc?)
https://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/case-st...
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Beatrix+pot...
The illustrations in this book are quite good, one of the better ones in this Who HQ series.
The Peter Rabbit books (and most, if not all others) were inspired by the reaction she got from the illustrated letters she wrote to the 2 children of her former German governess (when she was 16).
Many publishers rejected the books so she self-published and they were an instant hit.
World War II broke out and the publisher that picked her up fell on hard times and one of the brothers was embezzling funds and Potter wrote more books to help save the company, even though she was bedridden and suffered from hand cramps etc.
She became quite wealthy and bought farms in Scotland. And bred prize winning sheep. What a fascinating character and life. Will have to read her books for sure now!
Named Helen but they called her by middle name as she was named after her mother (Helen). Now I want to know where this Beatrix name comes from, it's unusual and never seen anyone else named that.
Taught herself about mushrooms and drew lots of accurate sketches of them but because she had ovaries and not testicles she wasn't allowed to present her findings to a scientific (boys) club when she was 31. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix...
Thankfully the Linnean Society issued an apology on the sexism...in 1997, a century too late. Better late than never, and earlier than what the Vatican would have (wasn't it many centuries late for Galileo etc?)
https://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/case-st...
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Beatrix+pot...
The illustrations in this book are quite good, one of the better ones in this Who HQ series.
The Peter Rabbit books (and most, if not all others) were inspired by the reaction she got from the illustrated letters she wrote to the 2 children of her former German governess (when she was 16).
Many publishers rejected the books so she self-published and they were an instant hit.
World War II broke out and the publisher that picked her up fell on hard times and one of the brothers was embezzling funds and Potter wrote more books to help save the company, even though she was bedridden and suffered from hand cramps etc.
She became quite wealthy and bought farms in Scotland. And bred prize winning sheep. What a fascinating character and life. Will have to read her books for sure now!
December 27, 2019
Bought this for my niece, who loves to draw and recently started writing her own work of fiction. It’s a solid overview of Potter’s life, focusing a lot on the oppression of women. Beatrix grew up in a wealthy family and was very isolated. Her mother thought other children would expose her to germs, so her only companionship came from governesses, her brother who left for boarding school, and the animals they smuggled into the nursery. As an unmarried woman, her parents didn’t want her to earn money, marry beneath her station, or leave home. She did eventually gain some independence when she bought her own farm, though she lived with her parents until she married at 48. She was a brilliant naturalist and became one of the foremost authorities in England on mushrooms, but as a woman was not allowed to present her findings herself. It makes you wonder what she might have accomplished without all those restrictions, but regardless she found a way to share her art and writing with the world.
March 24, 2021
This was a fun read aloud for us. She was so much more than a children’s author. I have always loved Peter Rabbit do it was fun to learn more about her.
Evelyn loved hearing about all her pets that the stories are based on.
Evelyn loved hearing about all her pets that the stories are based on.
April 23, 2022
I am a HUGE fan of Beatrix Potter. One of my top desires is to visit the land she donated to the National Trust one day! I have read dozens of these little “Who Was” books; they are wonderful, quick reads full of information. Loved this newest “Who Was” read about Beatrix Potter. ❤️ 🐰 🦆 🐁 🐸 🦔
October 2, 2023
Wonderful and interesting summary of Beatrix Potter’s life and work. I found it more informative than Wikipedia which is my usual “go to” source. Glad to have read this before seeing the traveling art exhibit. I hope I get to go to the Lake District someday and see her Hill Top farm.
October 13, 2021
After recently running across a picture book biography of Beatrix Potter, I decided I wanted to read more about her, and this series is always a good place to start. I feel like I learned a great deal, but I still have questions. For example, the book mentions her coded diary several times but never explains what happened to it. There's a timeline item in the back, indicating that the diary was decoded fifteen years after her death, so I'm quite curious to learn more about that.
I feel a connection to Beatrix Potter's joy in nature and simple things, and I admire her tenacity to keep reaching for what she wanted in life, despite the familial and social constraints she was under at the time. I also think it's interesting that her life turns the sad middle-aged spinster notion on its head, showing that she was able to take care of herself, but also that you're never too old to find a loving partner.
I feel a connection to Beatrix Potter's joy in nature and simple things, and I admire her tenacity to keep reaching for what she wanted in life, despite the familial and social constraints she was under at the time. I also think it's interesting that her life turns the sad middle-aged spinster notion on its head, showing that she was able to take care of herself, but also that you're never too old to find a loving partner.
December 12, 2024
So very interesting! I'm using the information as part of research.
December 20, 2016
December, Sarah Fabiny, mike lacey, who was Beatrix Potter?
Beatrix potter was a great artist and farm worker, Who was very happy with her life. First Beatrix is born into a family of great wealth, and a few years after she was born, her brother, Bertram, was born. Ever since she was a child Beatrix loved to paint animals, in fact, she would even sneak them into rooms! Even her dad supported her love of art, he would take her to art museums, and take her to see some of his artist friends! A few years later Bertram grew old enough to start boarding school, and Beatrix was frustrated, because girls were not expected to go to school at that time, but then her parents hired a governess to work with Beatrix. and she was only three years older than Beatrix! After a couple of lessons they became best friends and when the governess left to get married, Beatrix was in tears. Beatrix promised that she would visit her as many times as possible. Next, Beatrix finds out that one of the governess's children is ill, she sent him a card with a story about a rabbit that always got into trouble, this was the beginning of peter rabbit. After trying to get her story published many times, she finally found a publisher that wanted to publish her story! After the books were released, she started to make a lot of money off of them. After a few years of story writing, one of her partners, who she had grown very fond of, proposed to her! After they were engaged, Beatrix's parents made her go on a trip with them. On the trip she found that that her fiancé had grown very ill, but by the time she got back, it was to late. After getting over his death Beatrix bought farmhouses and began making more books. After a while, one of the people she worked with, had proposed to her also, and surprisingly, this one didn't die! After a lot of books, Beatrix retried with her husband, and continued working o their farms.
I think the main theme of this book is to follow your dreams. I think this because when Beatrix is giving up on drawing and painting, she just tells herself to keep going and follow her dreams. Another example of this is shown when Beatrix is about to present her work on mushroom, even though she gave up on it, she still followed what she believed in.
Beatrix potter was a great artist and farm worker, Who was very happy with her life. First Beatrix is born into a family of great wealth, and a few years after she was born, her brother, Bertram, was born. Ever since she was a child Beatrix loved to paint animals, in fact, she would even sneak them into rooms! Even her dad supported her love of art, he would take her to art museums, and take her to see some of his artist friends! A few years later Bertram grew old enough to start boarding school, and Beatrix was frustrated, because girls were not expected to go to school at that time, but then her parents hired a governess to work with Beatrix. and she was only three years older than Beatrix! After a couple of lessons they became best friends and when the governess left to get married, Beatrix was in tears. Beatrix promised that she would visit her as many times as possible. Next, Beatrix finds out that one of the governess's children is ill, she sent him a card with a story about a rabbit that always got into trouble, this was the beginning of peter rabbit. After trying to get her story published many times, she finally found a publisher that wanted to publish her story! After the books were released, she started to make a lot of money off of them. After a few years of story writing, one of her partners, who she had grown very fond of, proposed to her! After they were engaged, Beatrix's parents made her go on a trip with them. On the trip she found that that her fiancé had grown very ill, but by the time she got back, it was to late. After getting over his death Beatrix bought farmhouses and began making more books. After a while, one of the people she worked with, had proposed to her also, and surprisingly, this one didn't die! After a lot of books, Beatrix retried with her husband, and continued working o their farms.
I think the main theme of this book is to follow your dreams. I think this because when Beatrix is giving up on drawing and painting, she just tells herself to keep going and follow her dreams. Another example of this is shown when Beatrix is about to present her work on mushroom, even though she gave up on it, she still followed what she believed in.
January 9, 2017
Who Was Beatrix Potter by Sarah Fabiny, is a biography on the life of Beatrix Potter. The book talks about how Beatrix Potter grew up in London and how she became a famous author, painter, illustrator, and publisher at a young age. Beatrix is the author of the famous book called the "Tale of Peter Rabbit."
I personally found this book boring and uninteresting. It was boring because it didn't have any information that popped out and was cool. It was very dry reading. It listed fact after fact after fact that became unappealing and not memorable. I found it uninteresting. Once I learned she wrote the Tale of Peter Rabbit my attention was lost. The book was boring and uninteresting because the mood stayed the same throughout the entire book. If I had to change something, I would change the length of the book to shorten it and I would have added more detail to the facts she did give to make it more interesting.
I would not recommend this book, but if I did, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy biographies. This book has some words that are difficult for young readers to understand which, makes getting through the book a bit difficult. However, the reader will still be able to put the pieces together to understand what the author is saying.
I personally found this book boring and uninteresting. It was boring because it didn't have any information that popped out and was cool. It was very dry reading. It listed fact after fact after fact that became unappealing and not memorable. I found it uninteresting. Once I learned she wrote the Tale of Peter Rabbit my attention was lost. The book was boring and uninteresting because the mood stayed the same throughout the entire book. If I had to change something, I would change the length of the book to shorten it and I would have added more detail to the facts she did give to make it more interesting.
I would not recommend this book, but if I did, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy biographies. This book has some words that are difficult for young readers to understand which, makes getting through the book a bit difficult. However, the reader will still be able to put the pieces together to understand what the author is saying.
August 29, 2022
This is a biography about the author of 33 famous children's stories of Peter Rabbit and various other critters. Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866 to wealthy but stern parents. Her family spent their summers in the northern lake region where Beatrix would while away much time studying nature, drawing pictures of mushrooms and any countryside creatures she and her younger brother could capture. She had a governess who became a close friend, and when this woman married and had children, Beatrix sent letters to them with stories and illustrations. This became the impetus to her first published books. Beatrix feared a life of loneliness, taking care of her parents as was expected of unmarried daughters. She did eventually marry and bought a farm, which provided the inspiration for more of her books. She was happiest while living a simple country life as a wife and farmer. She died in 1943. This was an interesting book from the children's section of the library.
March 16, 2022
I love The Who Was series. If I get a little contagion of curiosity about something, I pick up one and carry it in my purse to read when I am waiting in line for one thing or another. I don't remember what originally triggered my interest in Beatrix Potter. I do have a penchant for children's literature and illustrators. Anyway, this one was amazing mostly because of the actual story of Beatrix Potter's life. Who knew her life was so interesting? I was amazed at how Sarah Fabiny was able to portray the heart ache in her life with depth all the while using 2nd grade language.
October 23, 2018
I was really impressed by how charming and well-written this biography was. The illustrations are adorable and true to the spirit of Ms. Potter as well. This series is great for grades 3-5, and provides a good overview of the subject's life along with major milestones and a little historical context. I was really struck by how much of Beatrix Potter's life was stymied by sexism towards women.
February 19, 2019
Very good overview of Beatrix's life. Made me want to read all of the Peter Rabbit stories. I had no idea she started with natural history and archaeology, and that she sketched fossils and mushrooms (and couldn't present her info because women weren't allowed). As she got older, Beatrix Potter became a proud conservationist, working hard to defend the landscape she loved so well against industrialization and logging. I loved that she purchased so much land and made sure it was protected.
October 14, 2024
What an amazing woman. I loved learning more about her and her many accomplishments during a time when women’s only roles were supposed to be wife and mother. Her scientific expertise was so impressive and her legacy of conservation is incredible. She is known for her children’s books, which are still popular a hundred years later, but what an intelligent, remarkable woman who left her mark on the world in so many other ways.
October 19, 2017
Beatrix Potter(who's real name was Helen) is a very important role model for children. She was all about women equal rights(most of the women in that time were)and wrote lots of poems and stories. She was an artist from the start, and she loved animals. I think that I would choose Beatrix Potter to come back today, as one of the people I would bring back, if I had that power.
February 16, 2018
This is a great book for people of all ages. Anyone who wants to learn a little bit about the life of the woman who authored 50 + childrens books - all popular, will be fascinated by this little book.
I think it's an inspiring story for creative people, literary artists, publishers, illustrators, philanthropists. She was an amazing woman who overcame so many obstacles in her personal life.
I think it's an inspiring story for creative people, literary artists, publishers, illustrators, philanthropists. She was an amazing woman who overcame so many obstacles in her personal life.
December 24, 2018
“Who Was Beatrix Potter?” (Who Was/Is...?) by Sarah Fabiny, Mike Lacey (Illustrations), Nancy Harrison (Illustrations)
Helen Beatrix Potter, of London – the capital of the British Empire (p14), had over-bearing parents who did not approve of unmarried women having any public role or vocation (note particularly p34, 71).
Helen Beatrix Potter, of London – the capital of the British Empire (p14), had over-bearing parents who did not approve of unmarried women having any public role or vocation (note particularly p34, 71).
January 1, 2019
My 6 year old daughter and I read this and we loved it! I've read her books as a kid, my daughter read her books but I didn't know anything about Beatrix. She had such an interesting life and was so generous. I loved learning about her and my daughter loved to learn about the author of the books she so loves to read!
August 9, 2019
I recently spent some time in the Lake District of England. While driving near Lake Windermere I was surprised and thrilled to see signs stating “Home of Beatrix Potter.” Then, two weeks later my 10-year-old granddaughter chose this book during our library visit. My granddaughters LOVE these biographical books. I try to read all of them, too, when they bring them home.
May 20, 2020
The Who, What, Where series truly is a delightful one for young readers. Wonderful illustrations and fascinating sidebars about related subjects allow the reader to excitedly explore the given subject. This volume on Beatrix Potter explored not only her inspiration for her beautiful stories but also many things I never knew about this amazing woman such as her interest in agriculture.
May 5, 2021
This was a fast read and it was fun to learn of the life of Beatrix Potter. She sums up her life best: 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." This she certainly did throughout her life and after her death.
March 23, 2022
Libretto per bambini, molto curato e ben illustrato, usa un inglese semplice che può essere capito facilmente anche dai non madrelingua. La storia è comunque portata avanti seriamente, senza tralasciare nulla, e dà una panoramica ben precisa sulla vita della Potter, dall'infanzia all'anzianità. Peccato per la copertina; so che contraddistingue la serie, ma è davvero inguardabile.
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