Beatrix Potter: Artist, Storyteller, and Countrywoman

by Judy Taylor

Traces the life of the British author and illustrator, explains how she began creating children's books, and describes the influences on her work

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Art, History, Historical, British Literature, Audiobook

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Caralyn]

This was a lovely biography--literally! Almost every page had several images on it, and many of them were sketches that Miss Potter had done herself. There were photographs, of course, and the requisite biographical details. I thought the author made a clever decision to include many excerpts from Miss Potter's letters to various people. It was a pleasant way to get a better sense of the Miss Potter while reading the Cottage Tales novels by Susan Wittig Albert.

[Heather Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written very much like a text book. It presents the facts of Beatrix Potter's life as gleaned through her letters. Taylor leaves the reader to ponder over events and think about how hardship shaped her and also how fame and wealth really did not touch her. It was fascinating to read so many of Beatrix's letters. She was outspoken and cranky and I love her, because she was also kind and took such good care of all that was within her sphere of influence including her people and her property. She left the world a better place and I want to be like her

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently rewatched "Miss Potter" and found this biography about her. It's a delightful read. It broadened her story and made a bigger fan of her books.

I do remember being in a play about Peter Rabbit in the 2nd grade.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant biography of the beloved artist and writer with plenty of pictures. I knew Potter loved animals and nature but not much more. Her parents were rather overbearing and when an engagement ended with her fiance's death she remained at home, a dutiful daughter. But eventually she was able to get her stories published and became independent. With her earnings she bought a farm and raised sheep, and continued to buy property to preserve the countryside.
She married late in life (to her lawyer) and seems to have been a very nice person who was beloved by all. Upon her death she left her many properties to the National Trust.
She had pets from an early age and the story of Peter Rabbit and Mr MacGregor started as a story about her rabbit, Peter, that she wrote for child friends. This book quotes correspondence about a box she had made to transport her white mice, and a goddaughter recalls that when she came to visit she'd bring the mice and let them loose in the dining room. She sounds like she would have been a jolly person to know!

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

A great introduction to Beatrix Potter! I'm sure there's a lot more to learn about her, and I'd like to pick up a more in-depth book someday, but this felt like a good place to start. Clear, concise, not over-opinionated, with a hearty helping of snippets from Beatrix Potter's own diary and letters to infuse the book with her personality. I hear there are lots of pictures included in the physical copy, but since I listened to the audiobook, I didn't get to see those. I did, however, get to listen to Patricia Routledge read the whole thing, and that was very nice.

[CharlotteReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding, detailed biography of Beatrix Potter, known for Peter Rabbit among many others, a prolific and highly skilled, creating over 2400 illustrations, scientific illustrations, paintings, manuscripts and children’s books, a conservationist, purchasing thousands of acres of land, now preserved in a National trust. She supported numerous causes using her book proceeds to help others, This is a highly readable and well researched volume - Highly recommend.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently watched the DVD called Miss Potter. Then I found this library book (not the Kindle Edition) and really enjoyed all of the photos of her family, places where she lived, her drawings and the farms that she bought. Beatrix Potter's books are delightful and the story of her life is very interesting.

[Marjie C-O · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A very nice biography of Beatrix Potter, but doesn't touch Linda Lear's "A Life in Nature." It does make a wonderful review and/or follow-up, however. I enjoyed the many photographs and artwork by Beatrix. A very nice overview of her life and work.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Beatrix Potter's work. Now a book about her that is just as fascinating as the person she was. Loaded with pictures, details of her childhood and more. A wonderful addition to my library about people who made an impact on my life.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, if a little disorganized.

[Gemma Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. A good biography of Beatrix Potter filled with lovely photos and beautiful drawings.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful rendition of Beatrix Potter's life and her artistic creations. including her avid interest in gardening and, of course, her famous tales. Enjoyable read. I recommend for all Potter fans.

[Lucy Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures in this and seeing some of the early versions of the stories I know so well.

[Grace Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book on audible loved it . It was very interesting love Beatrix potter a lot.☺️

[Charlotte Hagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully uplifting biography of a really neat lady with gorgeous illustrations.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about her life and seeing all these illustrations she did. She was so talented! I loved all the photographs as well. Well done with this book!

[Kristie Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio: I very much enjoyed learning more about the life of Beatrix Potter through this book. It was well written and engaging.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely biography of the children’s book author/illustrator Beatrix Potter.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Lots of great pictures!

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle book—amazing woman, amazing artist! The movie “Miss Potter” followed her story very closely.

[Gaili Schoen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography of Beatrix Potter that differs somewhat from and expands upon the film, Miss Potter. It starts with Potter's grandparents, and ends with her death, with details about many of her books, including those not as well known. Potter was such an inspiring woman. She was incredibly prolific, talented and strong-willed. And her generous preservation efforts are a priceless gift in England. I enjoyed listening to this book.

[Ann Amadori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a slow start with this book and did not think I would be able to finish but after her childhood in the first chapter it started to grow on me. One of the best things about it is the multitude of drawings by Beatrice Potter, the ones she used in her "little books". I was never much interested in her work as a child and my children were not interested either. After reading this book I feel the desire to read a few of them just to enjoy the art. She was truly a talented woman, a child prodigy. Her drawings of flowers and animals from childhood are amazing. I also found it interesting to learn about the Victorian era she grew up in. Her parents held her under their thumbs and she stood for it until she started earning her own money and was able to do what she wanted. Her parents were not in favor of her marriage because her future husband was not of their social class - hard to imagine these days. She did not marry until she was in her 40's. She was a successful business woman, owner of 15 or so farms in the Lake District by the time she passed away in 1943, a lover of nature, especially flowers and animals.

[Terry Palardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another biography of Beatrix Potter rich with the original sketches, watercolors, and family photographs that flesh out the sketchy public knowledge of her life. It is again written by an Englishwoman with some standing: Judy Taylor was invited by Frederick Warne , the publisher of Beatrix's books, to be a Beatrix Potter Consultant.

Taylor is also a novelist, and has studied Potter and her writings since a child herself. She has extended Potter's work into the late twentieth century, adding a baby book with Potter's little friends.

The writing is clear, but the illustrations and photographs are the heart and soul of this biography. I believe both of these books together honor the work and life of Beatrix Potter.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lushly illustrated biography of Beatrix Potter is filled with photographs, sketches, paintings of the people, houses, landscapes, interiors of Beatrix's life as well as her letters sketches, paintings, writings and books. Exquisitely vivid rendering of the private artist, author, farmer, conservationist who has enchanted children for over a hundred years and preserved the pristine beauty of England's Lake District- over 4,000 acres, 15+ farms, numerous cottages, and helped preserve the hardy Herdwick sheep native to the area.

[Kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrix Potter was a fascinating woman who did a great deal more than write Peter Rabbit. Her relationship with her publisher Norman Warne was the center to the bio pick Miss Potter. However her marriage to Willie Heelis and contributions to the national trust were the center of her life. This biography is an interesting read and uses much of Beatrix's own words.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that I enjoyed both when it was first published and again recently in preparation for "Beatrix Potter Night" at my Vintage Book Circle's meeting. I would like to read a biography of Potter that delves deeper into her troubled relationship with her parents, which is glossed over somewhat dismissively here.

[Miss Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about Beatrix and her great and quiet artistic talent. Lots of photo's and copies of art in progress that I had never seen before. Bought it in London and was able to go to a short-term exhibit of her drawings at Victoria & Albert at the same time as I sat nights at the hotel reading this. Timing couldn't have been more perfect.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful! A wonderful in-depth look at the life of Beatrix Potter. Each page is filled with beautiful photographs, sketches, paintings, and interesting facts about Beatrix Potter, her family, her books, and the many place she lived and visited on holiday with her family.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as an audiobook and learned quite a bit about Beatrix's life and career. I really should borrow a hard copy from the library though since I think the photographs and other illustrations were obviously lacking from the audio format.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrix Potter had a much more interesting and complex life than I had imagined.