Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box

October 5, 2015
In this tranquil portrait of Peter Rabbit creator Potter, McPhail (Bunny's First Spring) imagines her life as a budding artist growing up in London with her mother, father, and brother. As a child, Potter painted pictures of her family pets, including her rabbit, a mouse named Henrietta ("who once scampered across her paint box, leaving tracks everywhere!"), and a lizard; during summers in the countryside, she painted sheep and toadstools. When an adult Potter learned that a friend's child had fallen ill, she wrote a story for him (remembering a period of illness from her own childhood, during which she was confined to bed), which becomes The Tale of Peter Rabbit. McPhail frames his warm, ink-and-watercolor scenes within tidy borders, creating a feeling akin to peering inside the rooms of a dollhouse. He also pays homage to Potter's work by way of a rabbit, which reappears beside the text on several pages, and this book's small format itself: "Beatrix insisted that the books be small," he explains. " âLittle books for little hands,' she said." Ages 4â8. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

July 15, 2015
A small girl named Beatrix Potter spends her childhood painting. Born to wealthy parents on July 28, 1866, in London, Beatrix spends her time with nannies and tutors "in the upstairs nursery, away from the activities of the grown-ups." This doesn't look as lonely as it sounds, though: Beatrix is contentedly painting, with great focus, from the very first page. Across from the first illustration, underneath the text, a tiny paint box and water jar look as tempting as anything could. Quietly, McPhail tells how Beatrix fashions sketchbooks out of paper and string, painting pictures of her pets, her brother's pets, and nature overall: rabbit, mouse, lizard, toadstools, countryside. She paints to cope with sadness when her brother leaves for school; she paints in her own style, dismissing lessons. Eventually, growing older, she writes and draws what will become The Tale of Peter Rabbit. "Little books for little hands," she says, insisting that her published books take a diminutive trim, and while this biography isn't as small as those, it is still comfortably small. A few spreads are full-bleed, but most of the pictures are squared, nesting cozily inside white frames. Soft yet lush watercolors and fine lines create an old-fashioned feeling, and Beatrix herself resembles an early Maurice Sendak character. Humble and lovely. (Picture book/biography. 3-6)

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October 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-Simple text and soft watercolors combine to present a glimpse into the life of a beloved author and illustrator. Rather than providing a complete biography, McPhail concentrates on Beatrix Potter's childhood love of nature and her drive to express her passion through painting. A good companion to Potter's stories, this work offers insight into the author. McPhail uses his typical artistic style, employing rounded figures, warm colors, and inked outlines and details. Most of the illustrations are boxed, with the images set off from the text. Many libraries may already have a Potter biography, such as Jeanette Winter's Beatrix (Farrar, 2003) or Alexandra Wallner's Beatrix Potter (Holiday House, 1995). This title does not provide unique biographical information and lacks notes and sources. The format, however, is accessible to very young children and could inspire developing artists. VERDICT A worthy addition where Potter or McPhail are popular.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

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