Beatrix Potter

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4--The briefest of biographies with a text length and dry style similar to the "Rookie Biographies" series (Children's). The clear, simple text covers only the basics of Potter's life in contrast to David R. Collins's lively and engaging The Country Artist (Carolrhoda, 1989). Also, the demands of brevity have squeezed out all the juice. However, Malam's title excels in illustrative material. Full-color and archival photos; a page from Potter's youthful diary; her early sketches of rabbits, caterpillars, and flowers; and a letter to a young friend introducing Peter Rabbit bring her world to life. Lovely cream-colored pages with lots of white space complement the photos and reproductions in this well-designed book. It will serve requests for biographies for beginning readers.--Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GA

Kirkus Reviews

Beatrix Potter (24 pp.; Nov. 3; 1-57505-275-X): A charming biography in the Tell Me About series, about Peter Rabbit's creator. Malam includes some of Potter's early paintingsna whole page of caterpillars drawn when she was nine, and a life-like rabbit she drew four years later. The famous tale of how Peter Rabbit came into being is presented, along with an overview of Potter's life and books. With full-color and black-and-white illustrations. (chronology, glossary, index) (Biography. 5-8)