Featuring: Mrs Tiggy-winkle, Tom Kitten, Benjamin Bunny plus many others The Story of Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 in London, England. Her father was a lawyer, but did not practise and instead pursued his interest of art, photography and politics. Both her parents were the children of wealthy mill-owners in the north of England and the family were able to spend long periods each year on holiday in the country, in Scotland and later on in the Lake District. Beatrix kept many pets, often animals collected on her country visits such as a bat, frogs, lizards and mice, as well as more conventional dogs and rabbits. She was encouraged to study and draw animals and plants. From a sketchbook which Beatrix made when she was around eight years old we can see that she showed ability in drawing from a very early age. Throughout her childhood and teens she painted and drew constantly, developing meticulous skill at observing and recording the world around her. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published in October 1902 and it was an instant success, selling 28,000 copies by Christmas. More little books followed in quick succession, introducing new characters such as Peter’s cousin Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-winkle, Mr Jeremy Fisher and many others. All the animals were based on Beatrix’s own pets or were drawn from real animals she borrowed for the purpose such as a pair of red squirrels for Squirrel Nutkin. During the next few years she produced many of her delightful books, most set in and around the village of Sawrey and her farm ‘Hill Top’. In these her farm dogs, cats, ducks and pigs featured as the heros and heroines. Part of Puzzles and Games.  | |
