A beautifully presented celebration of the art of one of our most famous and well-loved children’s author, this collection shows us the wealth of material she produced and the true extent of the legacy she left behind.
The key to her talent was her close observation of the world around her and this is captured perfectly within this volume providing us with a greater insight into the woman behind the author, farmer and naturalist through her own illustrations. Influenced by the areas she visited throughout her life, her illustrations are ordered geographically from London and the South Coast, to Scotland, Wales and of course The Lake District where she lived independently at Hilltop before happily marrying William Heelis. I have always greatly admired her illustrations and her wonderful children’s stories but had no idea of the immense breadth of her talent as an artist. This collection shows us so much more, from capturing the changing landscapes down to the faithful reproduction of fungi and her interest in mycological studies. It explores not only her love of nature and the many places she grew to love throughout her life but also her contribution to important scientific research which is still being studied and admired today. These combined experiences enhanced and inspired the children’s stories and illustrations she became famous for. Her art tells us so much about her life and it’s absolutely fascinating and a pure delight to read. ~ Shelley Fallows
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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