Beatrix Potter Centenary.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 21

Beatrix Potter Centenary.

Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866. She had a very quiet and repressed childhood and adolescence, largely ignored by her parents. Even on reaching her twenties, little in the way of company was provided, nor were signs of independence encouraged. Many of her tales were written for individual children in the form of letters. The delight with which these were received is shown by the loving way they were kept for decades afterwards. Most of the stories have a classic simplicity and each word is precisely right. The little books look sweet and gentle but contain exciting and, occasionally, terrifying stories. Her little animals behave in a way small children appreciate. Their naughtiness is gleefully recognised as similar to their own. The language Beatrix Potter used is enriching and stimu-

lating. It stretches a child’s imagination. Many of her phrases become embedded in a child’s speech as favourite little chants—“Tiddly, widdly, widdly, Mrs Tittlemouse!” Her marriage at the age of 47 to William Heelis was a very happy one. From then on her love of the countryside had full play and she became known as a capable farmer. But it is as Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tittlemouse and a host of other characters that she is remembered today.

Sitory

During Children’s Book Week a “story time” session has been arranged for 9.30 to 10 a.m. each morning at the Canterbury Public Library children’s department, Cambridge terrace, Christchurch.