Beatrix Potter

10 Classic Children’s Book Series That Deserve a Reboot

Attention fans of Beatrix Potter and Emma Thompson (there is some crossover, we imagine): to celebrate Peter Rabbit’s 110th anniversary, the actress has written a new story starring the beloved bunny, which you can find on bookshelves today. In The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit, the eponymous rascally rabbit has grown bored with Mr. MacGregor’s patch and its environs (it’s been 110 years, after all), and hops on a horse-drawn cart headed for Scotland. As witty and clever as the original Potter books, it’s a fantastic new addition to the Peter Rabbit story. Inspired by Thompson’s effort, we got to thinking about some other children’s book series that deserve a new addition — if only because we loved them so much. See what we picked after the jump, and let us know which you’d choose in the comments. … Read More

A Collection of Brilliant and Inspiring Letters From Famous Authors to Their Young Fans

Earlier this week, we pointed you towards a fantastic letter from Robert Louis Stevenson to a little girl, posted over at Letters of Note, wherein he bequeathed her his birthday. Though we are guilty of being fond of literary ephemera in all of its forms, we have to say that we particularly love reading letters written by authors and sent to their young fans, whether they consist of advice, encouragement, or just gratitude. We think something about the way an author writes to a child is very telling, and even more than that, we know how much of an impact such letters probably had on their recipients, a thought that fills us with warm goodness. Click through to see our small collection of inspiring, cheeky, and lovely letters from famous authors to their young fans — you might just find that they work just as well for kids of all ages. … Read More

Our Favorite Vintage Illustrations from Classic Children’s Books

After spotting a post on Brainpickings on these magical illustrations that Maurice Sendak created for a 1960s edition of The Velveteen Rabbit, we couldn’t resist hunting down other vintage children’s book illustrations — with wonderful results. Alongside the words of such adored authors as Beatrix Potter and Munro Leaf lay simple black-and-white sketches, vibrantly hued drawings, and eccentric portraits that serve as delightful embellishment to timeless stories. Not only do these illustrations lift the tales off of the page, but they have been a source of inspiration for artists and crafters over the past decades. Join us as we round up amazing vintage illustrations from children’s literature, and feel free to add your favorites in the comments. … Read More