Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Beatrix Potter ~ A Journal

When I was a small girl, I used to love having my Parents read the Tales of Peter Rabbit books to me and then when I was old enough, reading them myself.

A while back I bought this lovely book, a Journal of the life of Beatrix Potter as a young woman in Victorian England, as she struggles to achieve independence and to find artistic success and romantic love.
She started the journal at the age of 16 and she wrote ~ I have added some notes to explain the events and I think this tells the story of my past better than I could do now.

The Journal features a wealth of her wonderful watercolour paintings, sketches, photographs, beautifully written letters and period memorabilia to recreate the world in which she loved.
So many of her illustrations capture the feelings of her love for animals. They are all there from Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Cousin Tabitha Twitchit, Squirrel Nutkin , Jeremy Fisher and Jemima Puddle-duck, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle to name a few, all beautifully drawn and painted by this very talented Lady. If you like Beatrix Potter, you will love this book.
I have scanned a few pages for you to have a look at.




I wonder what books you enjoyed reading, as a child?

May everyone have a delightful week


Hugs
Carolyn

41 comments:

  1. It looks like a wonderful journal, what amazing talent.
    Thanks for sharing a bit of it with us.
    I had no books to read, or read to me. Only school books. I think I need some catching up.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  2. That is gorgeous, Carolyn.

    Thank you for dropping by my place. :)

    I'm working on another book right now. I already have 5 or so manuscripts under my wing, and working on a new one. It will be love letters to someone, and I have been thinking of a name to sing the ends of each letter off with. "Beatrix Potter" has given me some creative ideas of what kind of a name to use... thank you.. :)

    Take care ♥

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  3. Hi Carolyn, so -pleased to have found your blog. I love the Beatrix Potter stories. a few years back I went on a walking holiday at Derwent-Water in the Lakes District. one day whilst out walking-we came across the hamlet of "Little-Town" where Miss Tiggy-Winkle and Lucie done all that washing and ironing.
    Love your Post
    Dianne xx

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  4. Love Beatrix Potter, the Journal looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Did you see the movie Miss Potter, I loved it too!

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  5. Oh Carolyn, that is so charming! I LOVED this post.
    I was crazy about Winnie the Pooh! We all have our favorites. Reading is such an important part of a child's life and opens up so many young minds, let alone the sheer pleasure of reading when you're an adult.

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  6. What beautiful book! I'll look for it here,I would like very much get it.
    I have the collection of tales.I bought them when my children was borned and every night I read for them even they had some pictures hanging from the wall about Peter Rabbit and Benjamin ,Carlota,Noguelina...the cat Thomas...all them are lovely!
    Thank you very much for share that beautiful book
    Love

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  7. What an amazing book! We still watch the movie Miss Potter all the time! I love the story of her life and the simplicity of her art! Thanks for sharing this beautiful journal with us! Gives me a good start to the day! ♥

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  8. I must have that book! I loved reading Little Women and the Anne books...anything classic. Great post!

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  9. Ciao cara Carolyn...

    Beatrix Potter è stata un'illustratrice eccezionale.

    Adoro i suoi disegni!

    Eleganti e raffinati, infantili ma con tratto deciso, dolci ed amorevoli...COME TE!

    Un carissimo abbraccio!

    KISSES a lot. NI

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  10. Hello Carolyn,
    Such a nice book to read.

    I wouldn't become familiar with Beatrix until my 40s...sure do like her work. I have a few little dishes with her artwork on it.

    Enjoyed visiting you today. Thank you for the prayers. I truly appreciate you!!!

    May you have a sweet week!
    d

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  11. Oh that is just beautiful Carolyn. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

    Hope you're having a wonderful day!

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  12. Carolyn, what a treasure to have!
    That is beautiful....I love her books and I really enjoyed the movie! I also loved the series Wind in the Willows....it is so satisfying to see kids read because now most children don't read books.
    Beatrix Potter was a woman ahead of her time!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  13. I loved the Tales of Peter Rabbit! Wonderful stories!!

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  14. I loved those books too. There was something so innocent and charming about them. Thank you for taking me back.

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  15. This is so beautiful. I have always adored Beatrix Potter. I have always wanted one of the sweet tea sets with her pretty art.

    Have a beautiful week Carolyn.

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  16. Hi Carolyn!
    First, I must tell you how much I enjoyed the movie about Beatrix Potter (it starred Renee Zellweger). Have you seen it? Your post reminded me of it... Well, when I was a child, I LOVED the Thornton Burgess stories (they were animals personified). I loved looking at the pen and ink illustrations of all the animal friends. When I got older, I read the entire series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I still remember hiding under my covers scared by the stories but unable to put them aside!
    Have a wonderful week,
    Sharon :-)

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  17. Thank you to all, for visiting me today.
    Wouldn't a little tea set be lovely with her beautiful artwork.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  18. Hi Carolyn,
    OH i love this book ,too.
    Actually I won it in a giveaway here in blogland, from Marie---it is such a wonderfull journal.
    As a child we did not know about Beatrix Potter here, but my father would every evening read a goodnight story for me.
    Hugs, Dorthe

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  19. Yes, I enjoyed those books too - many thanks for bringing back so many lovely memories of childhood!

    Hope you're having a lovely week too,

    XOXO LOLA:)

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  20. Oh, I used to love Peter Rabbit books as a child! This post sure brings back nostalgic memories ;-) Thanks for sharing. The Journal looks beautiful and I adore the illustrations!

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  21. i have never seen this book, but I will have to look for it! this is just wonderful!! grazie!!

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  22. Hi Carolyn,
    I love Beatrix Potter!! I have a close friend of 20 years living in the Lake District, UK, so she is quite familiar to me...
    When a child, I loved reading (and I still do!)... Little Women, all Jules Verne and the Bronte Sisters were my favorites.
    Hugs,
    Monicax.

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  23. What an adorable post :)

    When I was little, I had a big book of fairytales, something about goblins (I remember learning the word 'goblin' and liking it very much), a book about jellybeans that I won in the first grade for having read the most books in class...

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  24. what gorgeous art work and delightful things to read!

    as a child i didn't enjoy reading much, but at 21 my mom introduced me to mysteries and since then i've kept at least one book in my hand. i've even gone back and read the classics like *little women* and *ann of green gables*

    great post by the way.

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  25. I just adore Beatrix Potter, what a treasure this is! :-)

    Have a wonderful Thursday!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  26. Hello Carolyn! What a great book, thank you for taking the time to share it with us. Have a lovely weekend!

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  27. The artistic talent that goes into a childrens book amazes me. B Potter being one of the best.
    xxx
    Carole

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  28. Everything is precious Carolyn! I love the pretty photos and story.

    Blessings sweet friend.
    ~Melissa :)

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  29. I've so many times find Peter Rabbit stationaries, but can you believe that I've never actually read the book :p Hahahahaha. These books were not around in the town when I was little, I think even until now.

    My favorite, back to that old school days are of course Disney Princesses. They're like every girl's favorite, no?

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  30. This looks like an amazing book! I love Beatrix Potter, since I was little too. I am sure you will be thrilled to know I FINALLY got your movie sent off to you today. I am so sorry it took so long Carolyn. I hope you really enjoy the movie and have a terrific day!

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  31. Milly Molly Mandy was my absolute favourite series Carolyn! I loved how she spent her days tucked up in her attic bedroom observing everything out of her tiny windows. Your Miss Potter images are ever so sweet.
    Millie ^_^

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  32. Jeepers - 32 comments!
    I've never had more than one - and that was from YOU...
    Anyway - in the spirit of the post, I guess as a boy I did read but didn't exactly linger on Beatrix - but I consumed countless volumes of tales involving English public (you know, 'private') school life - I read all the Billy Bunter and Jennings I could lay my hands on and later (in fact, to this day) the Molesworth series - they still reduce me to tears of 'larfter'

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  33. oh this is heaven Carolyn!!! I love her work and she was so amazing!!!

    This is a beautiful tribute!!!

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend!!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  34. I'm a B. Potter fan too. I loved them because they were very small books..and in a special place in the children's area of the lib. The artwork was so detailed and lovely, too. But then I soon got hooked on the Babysitter Club books and later The California Diaries by Ann M. Martin.

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  35. Bonjour Carolyn,
    What a fabulous book/journal. Beatrix did the lost wonderful drawing, one of my childhood favorties.
    Thank you for coming by and following along. Sorry it took me awhile to visit. The weeks have a way of flying by... I'm a new follower of your beautiful blog. Your bear creations are marvelous!
    Bon week-end,
    Mimi

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  36. Hi Carolyn! Lovely post!! Our library doesn't have this book, so I tried to get it from Inter-Library Loan, but they won't let their copy of this book leave the library. So, I may have to go to that library to see it. I was such a big fan of Beatrix Potter and read the stories over and over to my children.

    I did mangage to get another book out from the Library, Beatrix Potter's Art, which has many of her lovely illustrations.

    It's been a busy summer and I haven't had time to tat or blog, but will soon. Take Care!!

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  37. Oh hers are my favorites! I had so many of them and loved it when we went to the book store and I could get one! I love the Journal you have here I will look for it!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  38. Lovely book, Carolyn! I saw the movie just knowing a few about her and just loved her story and her talent!!!
    cariños

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  39. Small world! The freelance designer we've had in the office the last few days has just come back from working in London for Penguin Books - where she designed, among other things, The Beatrix Potter Journal! Fancy that...

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx