HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY TO BEATRIX POTTER

July 28, 2016, is the 150th birthday of Beatrix Potter, an extraordinary woman we remember with great affection and appreciation.  Victoria here, a lifelong fan of Peter Rabbit and the other familiar characters she wrote about.



Born in 1866, Helen Beatrix Potter (died 1943) lived in London and vacationed in the Lake District and Scotland.  She studied animals and plants, and developed a love of the outdoors as well as an ability to draw plants and fungi. 

This website (click here) will give you all the background you need on the stories, her life, and her legacy.  It also provides information on the recently discovered Tale of Kitty-in-Boots which will be published in September 2016, a special treat for all of us.,
Perhaps Potter's most valuable contribution, beyond her stories, is her gift of more than four thousand acres of land in the Lake District of Britain. She left the land to the National Trust which has maintained her Hill Top Farm (click here) open to visitors. Most of the land is incorporated into the Lake District National Park.

Hill Top Farm

One of my favorite stories is The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.  I suspect it is more because I adore hedgehogs, not because I am a neatness freak about housework and laundry.




My little statue of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, from Royal Albert


Fortunately, Potter's stories and their wonderful illustrations have been preserved.  No disney-fication for them!  My grandchildren have greatly enjoyed the DVDs from the BBC with the original characters.  

In 2006, Miss Potter, starring Renee Zellweger was filmed. The trailer is here.  I cannot recall seeing it but I have set about getting a copy for my personal celebration of Miss Potter's 150th!


Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter


The Real Thing!


Hooray for you, Beatrix Potter!! And thank you for all your gifts.

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