A Celebration of Beatrix Potter: Art and letters by more than 30 of today's favorite children's book illustrators

by Beatrix Potter

Overview

2016 marks the 150th birthday of Beatrix Potter, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the beloved author/illustrator with A Celebration of Beatrix Potter!

With illustrious tales of characters like Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and Jemima Puddle-Duck, Beatrix Potter established herself as one of the most cherished and influential author/illustrators of children's literature. To mark her milestone birthday, this gorgeous collection features beautiful illustrations of Potter's characters, as interpreted by well-known illustrators. Each illustration is accompanied by text from the artist explaining what that character means to them, making this a true celebration of Beatrix Potter.

Praise for A Celebration of Beatrix Potter:

"How delightful to see Peter Rabbit, Mr. McGregor, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and company portrayed in various and unique styles. Excerpts from and introductory descriptions of nine of Potter’s books round out this superb collection... This 150th anniversary celebration of the life and work of Beatrix Potter will encourage aspiring young artists to carry on her legacy."–Linda L. Walkins, School Library Journal, Starred Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780515159578
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Series:	Peter Rabbit
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	28 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 15 Years

About the Author

Featuring work from over 30 of today’s best-known children’s illustrators, including Jon Agee, Jen Corace, Pat Cummings, Tomie dePaola, Tony DiTerlizzi, Matthew Forsythe, Stephanie Graegin, Chuck Groenink, Chris Haughton, Brian Karas, Jarrett Krosoczka, Betsy Lewin, E. B. Lewis, Renata Liwska, Wendell Minor, Kelly Murphy, Brian Pinkney, Peggy Rathmann, Chris Raschka, Peter Reynolds, Dan Santat, Judy Schachner, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, David Soman, David Ezra Stein, Melissa Sweet, Rosemary Wells, Brendan Wenzel, David Wiesner, Pamela Zagarenski, and Paul Zelinsky.

Editorial Reviews

10/03/2016
To commemorate Beatrix Potter’s 150th year, The Tale of Peter Rabbit’s first publisher invited 32 illustrators to reflect on Potter’s influence. Each artist shares nostalgic remarks and creates an illustration inspired by a Potter classic, alongside excerpts from nine Potter books. Understandably, remorseless gardener Mr. McGregor looms large in several images. Brendan Wenzel calls him “a near perfect bogeyman” and, in a spooky watercolor, depicts him staring through milky glasses; Kelly Murphy pictures him in the same inscrutable spectacles, brandishing a sharp-toothed rake. Peter Reynolds and Laura Vaccaro Seeger focus on Peter Rabbit’s mother (“She had suffered a terrible loss... and still she remained productive, optimistic, and loving,” writes Seeger, painting Peter’s plump mother with two babies). Tomie dePaola imagines Potter having tea with a human-size Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Dan Santat pictures bullfrog Jeremy Fisher feverishly awaiting a bite on his fishing line, and David Wiesner alludes to his own frog fantasy, Tuesday, with Jeremy seated aboard a levitating lily pad. Bonus points go to Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who combines essay and illustration in a nine-panel comic, reflecting on how Potter drew from specimens: “I look up photos online. How lazy. I need to remember to be more like Beatrix Potter and draw from the wildlife that surrounds me.” (Krosoczka humorously shows himself drawing a pug—a far cry from a hedgehog or taxidermic squirrel, but a life-form nonetheless.) Ambitious readers might take a cue from the collection and envision Potter’s heroes in new settings, while longtime admirers will find their fond recollections mirrored in the artists’ words and images. Ages 3–7. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 10/01/2016
Gr 3 Up—In 1866, a truly remarkable woman was born. Scientifically inclined and always curious, the observant Potter grew up to become a woman ahead of her time. In this tribute to Potter and her memorable characters, 32 contemporary illustrators share anecdotes about their experiences with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, and many other denizens of Potter's enchanted world. E.B. Lewis (The Other Side) observes that Potter's characters are "simple, beautiful, and full of life." Betsy Lewin (Click, Clack, Moo) discusses her interest in the writer, noting that Potter "was a shining example of a woman making a place for herself as an artist and author." In addition to recounting personal encounters with Potter's work, each artist reimagines her world in original artwork. How delightful to see Peter Rabbit, Mr. McGregor, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and company portrayed in various and unique styles. Excerpts from and introductory descriptions of nine of Potter's books round out this superb collection. VERDICT This 150th anniversary celebration of the life and work of Beatrix Potter will encourage aspiring young artists to carry on her legacy and is recommended for public and school libraries.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston

School Library Journal

2016-07-26
Alongside some of Beatrix Potter’s own work, 32 contemporary author/illustrators each offer a testimonial and a piece of original art in homage to this grande dame of children’s books. An introduction about Potter extols her “fierce independence and unwavering curiosity” during a time when “women of wealth were expected to follow rigid societal structures.” It mentions her love of art and nature, and it lists considerable accomplishments. The publishers hope that the book will be “a source of inspiration for future generations of authors and illustrators.” That might have worked had the contributors simply offered their art; each of these top-notch artists has produced an illustration well worth the colored ink. However, the testimonials, although not identical, soon feel that way, however heartfelt. Reading the text feels like attending a retirement party and listening to 32 glowing speeches, some of which have references that would be meaningful only to older readers. (Rosemary Wells compares Potter to pianist Glenn Gould; Matthew Forsythe compares Jemima Puddle-Duck to Emma Bovary.) Original moments—often quite fascinating—tend to be lost in the repetitious praise. Moreover, it seems a cruel tease to new initiates to offer only introductory, illustrated pages of nine of Potter’s original tales. Enjoyable perusing; best as an adult coffee-table book. (Nonfiction. 9-16)

Kirkus Review