Beatrix and her Bunnies by Rebecca Colby illustrated by Caroline Bonne-Müller

In the 1990s I completed two in depth assignment essays about Beatrix Potter. Yes she is famous for those sweet little "hand sized" story books but Beatrix was also a scientist and conversationalist. She had an incredible life especially given the constraints of her Victorian upbringing and the expectations for girls at that time. Her brother went to school but she was educated at home. Beatrix studied fungi and became an expert but the prestigious scientific community would not acknowledge the work of a woman. Read more here on the Victoria and Albert museum site. 

Nosy Crow have published this richly illustrated biography which is perfect for very young readers especially those who have read any of her famous stories such as The Tale Peter Rabbit. You can see inside this book here. Here is a Peter Rabbit timeline. 

Image Source: Caroline Bonne-Müller

The elements of Beatrix’s life are beautifully interwoven by the author, who also provides an additional final note explaining Beatrix’s connection with the National Trust (who are collaborators in its publishing) – and equally beautifully illustrated by Caroline Bonne-Miller. Red Reading Hub

With Easter approaching I have noticed a few city stores are using the image of Beatrix Potter's famous rabbit - Peter - to promote their products - oddly not always Easter eggs. Beatrix and her Bunnies could be a special Easter gift for a young child. 

Beatrix completed 23 books about her animal friends.  Peter Rabbit was published in 1902 - celebrating 120 years in print!

1 The Tale of Peter Rabbit

2 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

3 The Tailor of Gloucester

4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

5 The Tale of Two Bad Mice

6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher

8 The Tale of Tom Kitten

9 The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

10 The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse

12 The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes

13 The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse

14 The Tale of Mr. Tod

15 The Tale of Pigling Bland

16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers

17 The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan

18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles

19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson

20 The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit

21 The Story of Miss Moppet

22 Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes

23 Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

Companion read:

Publisher blurb: Everyone knows Beatrix Potter as the creator of the Peter Rabbit stories. But before that, she was a girl of science. As a child, Beatrix collected nature specimens; as a young adult, she was an amateur mycologist presenting her research on mushrooms and other fungi to England's foremost experts. Like many women of her time, she remained unacknowledged by the scientific community, but her keen eye for observation led her to an acclaimed career as an artist and storyteller. A beloved author is cast in a new light in this inspiring picture book story.

Here are other books illustrated by Caroline Bonne-Müller. And also books by Rebeccaa Colby.