July Birthday Girl: Beatrix Potter

Images courtesy of www.fanpop.com

Helen Beatrix Potter was born on 28 July 1866.  Nope, she's not related to Harry Potter.  She may not have a magic wand but she has the magic to tell cute stories and illustrated them all by herself.

There is an official website that presents a pictorial timeline starting from her birth, her death, and up to the most recent animated series based on her illustrated tales such as Peter Rabbit. Have a look at http://www.peterrabbit.com/uk/beatrix_potter/beatrixs_life.

There was a movie created that tells her life story beautifully. It was a movie titled "Miss Potter" starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. I had my share of laughter and tears when I watched this film.

How am I connected to Miss Potter? When I was a tiny baby in the 20th century, I received a gift of a Peter Rabbit book and a plush toy of Peter Rabbit's mother. Both the book and the toy were loved to bits. My Peter Rabbit book show wear and tear on the binding and missing hardbound covers. The toy had a big hole on one foot, and lots of stuffing spilled out. As a souvenir of the past, I still keep the same tattered book. I had to part with the toy since it was worn and forgotten-- most likely disposed of. But sometime in the 21st century, I received a Peter Rabbit plush toy on one Easter. I still have it in fabulous condition.

Another connection I have with Miss Potter is I can relate with her as an author-illustrator. I feel happy for her that her books made it to brick and mortar stores while she is still alive. I also understood how joyful she was when her idea of printing her books in grayscale was dismissed. She wanted to cut cost on printing so that the books will be more affordable. She was blessed that her publisher insisted on full-color printing because he was enchanted on how Miss Potter colorfully painted her drawings.

Feminists would be touched that Miss Potter made it as female author-illustrator in a male dominated world. And, she lived to see her published books sell successfully.

Happy birthday, Miss Potter! You have been an inspiration to children, authors, illustrators, and especially women. Thank you very much.

:-( -> :-| -> :-)

DL    

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"Let us rise up and be thankful; for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so let us all be thankful."

--Buddha