FICTION

Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box

by David MCPHAIL
illus. by David McPhail. 40p. Holt. Oct. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780805091700.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Simple text and soft watercolors combine to present a glimpse into the life of a beloved author and illustrator. Rather than providing a complete biography, McPhail concentrates on Beatrix Potter's childhood love of nature and her drive to express her passion through painting. A good companion to Potter's stories, this work offers insight into the author. McPhail uses his typical artistic style, employing rounded figures, warm colors, and inked outlines and details. Most of the illustrations are boxed, with the images set off from the text. Many libraries may already have a Potter biography, such as Jeanette Winter's Beatrix (Farrar, 2003) or Alexandra Wallner's Beatrix Potter (Holiday House, 1995). This title does not provide unique biographical information and lacks notes and sources. The format, however, is accessible to very young children and could inspire developing artists.
VERDICT A worthy addition where Potter or McPhail are popular.
Reviewed by Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
This simple and engaging introduction to Beatrix Potter is nicely suited for a young audience, pairing concise text with inviting artwork. Straightforward language and warm anecdotes enliven the biography. For instance, Potter loved to paint pictures of her pets, "including a mouse named Henrietta, who once scampered across her paint box, leaving tracks everywhere!" David McPhail focuses on Potter's childhood and her love of art, with vivid descriptions of her summers spent in the countryside, where "there was so much to do, and to see, and to paint." The ending briefly covers her adult life and the origins of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The soft color palette and sketch-like quality of the illustrations warmly complement the understated writing style.
The picture book biography focuses on Beatrix Potter's childhood and young adulthood, ending when she creates The Tale of Peter Rabbit. McPhail's soft watercolor and ink illustrations and clear text give a sense of Potter's love of animals and her growing interest in painting. The narrative of a young child finding her passion should satisfy both Potter's fans and the uninitiated.
 , Oct 01, 2015

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