Yesterday, July 28, was the 160th birthday of Beatrix Potter, perhaps the most celebrated children's book author of all time. Her first published book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, came out in 1902. I remember it from my childhood and it was a favorite of my children and grandchildren. I read it aloud to them so many times I almost had it memorized! "'Now, my dears,' said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, 'you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden. Your father had an accident there; he was put into a pie by Mrs. McGregor." ... "But Peter, who was very naughty, went straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden."
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| Miniature model of Farmer McGregor's garden from the Tale of Peter Rabbit |
On my desk I now have a miniature garden featuring a scene from The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It is a treasured gift from my daughter Jennifer. She made the ground and garden plants from art clay, baking it to make it hard. The fence is made of craft sticks. The figures of Peter and his family—Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail—and of Farmer McGregor were purchased on the internet, as were the tiny garden tools.
The miniature garden is a delightful reminder of my real garden outdoors and working with Mrs. Best and her students on my book PLANTING A GARDEN IN ROOM 6: From Seeds to Salad.
Jennifer was inspired to make the miniature garden after our visit to
the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina, where we saw
tiny figures nestled among the plants. See my blog post from September 8, 2021.
