Miss Potter

Moving on with her life, Beatrix continued to write what she called her "little books" for children. There were some things, however, that she did not do.

For example, when she’d written her famous letter to Noel Moore, in 1893, Beatrix - like everyone - traveled in horse-drawn carriages. By the time her letter became a book, a new form of transportation - the automobile - had arrived. Beatrix, however, had no desire to drive herself and - it is said - never learned to do so.

Even before Norman’s death, Miss Potter was unafraid to write about subjects which can be difficult for young children. Death of a parent, for example, appears in a very direct manner in the second paragraph of her first little book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. There we read:

"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "You may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden. "Your father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."

Potter’s second book, about Squirrel Nutkin, originated from a letter she’d written to Nora Moore. Listen to an audio clip, from the BBC, about the book and its beginnings. It was the red squirrel, parenthetically, and not the grey, which inspired Beatrix.

Later in life, Beatrix said that her personal favorite, of the little books, was The Tailor of Gloucester, the third one published. It turns out that even this story was based on an experience Miss Potter had. It was a tale she’d learned while visiting her uncle in Wales.

In all, Beatrix wrote twenty-three little books which remain enormously popular today. Translated into many languages, her characters - especially Peter Rabbit - are still loved by children.

There came a time, however, when Beatrix herself lost interest in writing, and illustrating, stories for children. She had new interests, including a new husband.