This simple biography of the beloved author-illustrator of The Tale of Peter Rabbit describes the young Beatrix Potter's beginnings as an artist, as she spent many happy hours in the upstairs nursery drawing pictures of her pets. Every summer, her family moved to the countryside, where Beatrix and her brother Bertram loved to explore and observe their surroundings: "While Bertram rowed . . . Beatrix painted." Mainly self-taught, she was never happier than painting the landscapes and animals she saw and the Peter Rabbit story, which was a gift for a friend's son who was ill and confined to bed. McPhail's signature pen-and-ink and watercolors mirror Potter's detailed style for both nature motifs and human subjects. The palette ft red-browns, greens, and yellows d the delicate cross-hatching exude an old-fashioned appeal, while the realistic animals and landscapes inspire a genuine love of the natural world and the charming English countryside. Use as a companion read-aloud when sharing Potter's books with children.

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. Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA