"It is 100 years since Beatrix Potter wrote down the story of Peter Rabbit in a letter to cheer a sick child. It was her first step on the road to worldwide renown and since then her little books have given pleasure to generations of children and she is recognized as one of the greatest storytellers of this century. She also holds a fascination for adults that goes beyond the usual interest accorded to children's writers and her books have generated a remarkable amount of sophisticated analysis and debate." "This anthology presents a collection of writings from those whose encounters with Beatrix Potter have been important to them. There are descriptions of real meetings with Beatrix in later life, such as the personal accounts by the American librarian Anne Carroll Moore and the artist Delmar Banner. These delightfully down-to-earth portraits contrast with serious critical assessments of Beatrix Potter's work, studies by Graham Greene, Humphrey Carpenter and Nicholas Tucker (as well as some not-so-serious ones - Paul Jennings on foreign translations, the readers of The Times newspaper on the 'Crimes of Peter Rabbit'). Her genius as an artist is discussed by Maurice Sendak, Rosemary Wells and Anne Stevenson Hobbs, and there are essays on every area which has been influenced by her books, from political cartoons to character merchandising and 'pirate' publishing." "In their variety the contributions reflect the many facets of Beatrix Potter herself but they are all imbued with enthusiasm and humour. Together they offer an invitation to explore the nature of this unique writer and artist whose appeal is so universal."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved