Beatrix Potter's Autumn

Beatrix Potter teaches her young audience a few important (and humorous) lessons with her Autumn tales.

First she issues a warning through the example of Squirrel Nutkin (c. 1903).

While the squirrel clan harvests nuts into their storehouses, 

 

Squirrel Nutkin teases and mocks Old Mr. Brown, the owl, with foolish riddles.  We soon find that Nutkin can disrespect his elder only so much before Mr. Brown bites off his tail.

Then we come to Timmy Tiptoes (c. 1911). 

Here Timmy Tiptoes' wife Goody Tiptoes (I'm especially fond of this squirrel illustration) prepares her home for the winter.

Timmy and Goody work hard and fast to store nuts for their hibernation.  Unfortunately, some other squirrels jump to conclusions, suspecting Timmy of stealing nuts.

And they punish Timmy by dropping him into a hollowed tree, unknowingly onto his own storehouse.  While Goody searches for Timmy, Timmy gorges himself on nuts, so much so that he cannot escape through the hole once Goody finds him.  Eventually circumstances right themselves, and Timmy and Goody reunite.

Last, but certainly not least, we have The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (c. 1909).

 This story may be enjoyed by the parents more than the children, for it holds a timely commentary on our present economic atmosphere.  For you see:
                Ginger and Pickles gave unlimited credit.  Now the meaning of "credit" is this -- 
                when a customer buys a bar of soap, instead of the customer pulling out a purse and 
                paying for it -- she says she will pay another time.  (19)

Yes, friends, this synopisis' irony will be lost on the little ones.  We know the outcome of the story because we're living it.  But to hear it so succinctly expressed by the prophetess Beatrix Potter deserves a second glance.  If we had but heeded her warning!  Perhaps reading this little volume to the ones under our care will help prevent similar outcomes in their future. 

Beatrix Potter's Spring

from The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding

For me, different seasons inspire different books.  Perhaps you're the same way?  So when springtime finally rolls around with buds bursting forth from tree and ground and with birds rejoicing in their melodious sounds, I pull out Beatrix Potter.  Her illustrations celebrate all that's natural, whether flora or fauna.  Truth be told, her accurate drawings satisfy the studied botanist.

First let's start with a little spring cleaning.  For that we'll have to call upon Mrs. Tittlemouse.  Dear Mrs. Tittlemouse was left with quite a mess when Mr. Jackson came to visit . . . uninvited, I might add.  He left puddles of water on her floor and honey throughout her corridor.  Fortunately, he solved the sticky bee situation.  And after a good night's rest, Mrs. Tittlemouse went straight into a two-week spring cleaning:

One to reward herself, Mrs. Tittlemouse then gave a party:

Next, let's enjoy a peaceful spring rain with Timmy Willy!  Timmy Willy loved his home in the country.  However, one day his curiosity and exploration of a vegetable basket led him into the uncharted territory of city life, with Johnny Town-mouse acting as his gracious host.  After soon growing homesick, Timmy Willy returned to his beloved cottage.

Do you recognize Potter's spin of the classic tale a town mouse and a country mouse in The Tale of Johnny Town Mouse?

To conclude our spring ramble through Beatrix Potter's tales, let's waddle on down the rain-soaked lane with Jemima Puddle-Duck.  Poor Jemima!  Of all Potter's characters, she is the daftest.  In seeking the perfect spot to nest, she places her trust in sly Mr. Tod.  However, I just love the illustrations, especially this setting in the foxgloves!

If you'd like to read more Beatrix Potter recommendations, revisit my introduction to Beatrix Potter here:
http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2010/11/beatrix-potter.html

Oh, and be sure to enter (by Friday evening) the most recent give-away!  Just click here: http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2011/04/give-away-4.html 

Beatrix Potter

Ah, where to begin . . . where to begin?!  You must introduce author/illustrator Beatrix Potter to your child as early as possible.  If you don't own Peter Rabbit, I'm urging you to give a copy to your little one before the year is out!  I'm quite serious!  Every child should own a copy of this classic.  In sharing Potter's tales with your children, you will be sharing a literary legacy.  I have several different printings of Beatrix Potter's tales, and I'll have to honestly say that the best edition to get is the original 4.4 x 5.6 Warne publishing which has been renewed several times over (yes, I'm downright giddy that Warne & Co. still holds the publishing rights).  Children love holding this size in their hands most of all.

I can't speak enough for Potter's enchanting, life-like watercolor illustrations.  She perfects each animal's anatomy before she personifies it with story and clothes.  It's as if Peter just hopped from the garden onto the page or Tom Kitten has just pawed his way onto the book cover.  I never eat green peas without thinking of the mouse's inability to direct Peter to safety, hindered by the large pea in her mouth.  Every time I see a tailless squirrel, I think of Squirrel Nutkin's impudence to old Mr. Brown owl.  And before my eldest knew of hide-and-go-seek, she hid from us squealing, "I'm running from Mr. McGregor!  I'm running from Mr. McGregor!"

I've sat here and thought and thought and thought only to arrive at the fact that I'm not quite sure which charming tale is my favorite.  I guess it would be Peter Rabbit and the follow-up Benjamin Bunny.  However, I do love the tales of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Mrs. Tittlemouse, and the Two Bad Mice.  The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse is a delightful retelling of the town mouse and the country mouse.  The kids especially like the last two mentioned and The Tale of Pigling Bland (in addition to Peter Rabbit).  My husband and I double-over laughing each time we read The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit!  It's the most random of Potter's tales (though I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for the kids).  Potter writes her version of the elves and the shoe peddler in The Tailor of Gloucester, a perfect Christmas tale for this time of year.  But really, I could list all of them in one way or another.  Instead, let me give you the complete listing of Potter's books at the end of this post.  Check them out and share with us which tale your family likes best!

This beautiful edition is available at abebooks.com.

If you'd like to know more about Beatrix Potter's life, do take the time to check out the blog Happy Homemaker UK.  Laura gives a lovely summary of Beatrix Potter, complete with beautiful photographs.  She's compiled quite a lot of research in just a few lines, making her bio on Beatrix Potter interesting to read, not to mention that I'm quite envious of her visits to Potter's childhood home and the Beatrix Potter exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

One more thing I found fascinating, most can deduce Potter's love for nature after seeing her detailed watercolored subjects.  What you may not guess is that she's helped to preserve the Lake District in England by her conservation efforts and by willing land and farms to the British National Trust. 

I'm so taken with Beatrix Potter and her tales, that we have Peter Rabbit paraphernalia all around our home.  In addition to several stuffed Potter characters and porcelain piggy banks, I rediscovered Wedgewood's Peter Rabbit bowl, plate, and cup, wherein I quickly grabbed a set for each child in a nostalgic flurry to pass on those sweet memories to my brood (I had a bowl, plate, and cup as a child).  Daily my children eat several meals in full view of old Mrs. Rabbit as she readies Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter for their day.

Also, take advantage of one of my favorite links: these color pages from the various tales to download for your children to color.

In closing, this is the first (and may be the last) time I've recommended a movie.  However, the BBC has done a brilliant job with the Potter tales, keeping the animation true to the original text and illustrations.   Each series begins with a human Beatrix Potter character writing a letter to the recipient of her next tale, briefly explaining her artistic process before segueing into the animation.  So if you need a way to bring Beatrix Potter's tales into your home while you're getting dinner on the table, check out the BBC videos.

I firmly believe your family will find Beatrix Potter's tales some of your favorite reads.  Ours certainly has.

Available at abebooks.com

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (c. 1901, 1902)
The Tailor of Gloucester (1902, 1903)
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903)
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)
The Tale of Two Bad Mice (1904)
The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-WInkle (1905)
The Pie and the Patty-pan (1905)
The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1906)
The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit (1906)
The Story of Miss Moppet (1906)
The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)
The Roly-Poly Pudding (1908) = The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (1926)
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)

Available at abebooks.com

Ginger and Pickles (1909)
The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse (1910)
The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes (1911)
The Tale of Mr. Tod (1911)
The Tale of Pigling Bland (1913)
Appley Dappley's Nursery Rhymes (1917)
The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (1918)
Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes (1922)
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson (1930)

Nursery Rhymes

And now we come to nursery rhymes.  This is probably where I should have started from the very beginning since rhymes are where the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to start reading aloud to your infants.  According to the professionals, rhymes help develop a young child's "ear for language," "stimulate brain development," and encourage "Phonological awareness" by identifying and connecting different sounds with written words.  In fact, leave out last words on a line while you read a rhyme and encourage your child to fill in the missing word.  Many rhymes are set to music, making it fun to sing the rhymes too.

My children repeat their favorite rhymes throughout the week:
~ One misty, moisty morning . . .
~ Sing a song of sixpence . . .
~ Three little kittens . . .
~ Wee Willie Winkie . . .
~ Blow wind blow! And go mill go! . . .
~ Good night! Sleep tight . . .
~ Baa, baa, black sheep . . .
~ Diddle, diddle dumpling, my son John . . .
Which lines can you complete?

"One misty, moisty morning" is especially applicable for today's weather; it also remains one of my children's favorites.  There are different versions of it, but here's our favorite:

One misty, moisty morning,

When cloudy was the weather,

I chanced to meet an old man,

Dressed all in leather.
He began to compliment,

And I began to grin

How do you do?  And how do you do?

And how do you do again?

And then there's "Diddle, diddle dumpling, my son John."  You know, he's the one who went to bed with "one shoe off and one shoe on."  I attribute this rhyme to my daughter's (who at the time was only three) unwavering resolve to put only one sock on each day, no matter where we were going.  I insisted that she had to at least wear both shoes.  It was late fall and winter, and I had stake in my image as her caring mother after all!  Otherwise, I allowed the quirky behavior.  And did we receive some memorable comments and stares!  But, oh the laughs we indulged!

Needless to say, I strongly recommend owning a collection of nursery rhymes!  I'm the nerd who likes to collect different volumes.  So here are my top recommendations:

1st prize: Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever (not to be confused with his much smaller Mother Goose).  The kids adore this version.  We ALL pull it out several times weekly!

1st runners up, coming in oh so closely behind: Tomie dePaola's My First Mother Goose or his board book Tomie's Little Mother Goose and Scott Gustafson's Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose.  Once again, Gustafson "Wows!" us with his beautiful illustrations.

Honorable mentions: I hold a special place in my heart for the iconic black and white checkerboard covered The Real Mother Goose, which was my very first childhood volume.  It's arguably the most recognized volume.  For some reason, my children didn't attach themselves to this one as readily.  My eldest wanted illustrations for each rhyme.  However, I would recommend this most thorough collection illustrated by Blanche Fisher Wright in 1916.  The publishers have also issued friendlier versions for young children in board books and "touch and feel" books and cards.  You can't go wrong with this classic.

For you Beatrix Potter book lovers out there, I would strongly recommend her charmingly illustrated and original Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes and Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes.  These sweet little volumes make excellent gifts.

Also, for you researchers, Michael Montgomery does an excellent, and humorous, job of exploring the stories behind nursery rhymes in his book Over the Candlestick: Classic Nursery Rhymes and the Real Stories Behind Them.

In conclusion, there are many amazing artists with very good illustrated editions of nursery rhymes out there.  I encourage you to find your favorite and read them enough to laugh over your own kids quirky ways of applying rhyme to their everyday lives.