BEATRIX AND HER FRIENDS, by Anne Lambelet, Margaret Quinlin Books, May 26, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
Learn the story of a pioneer in children’s books in Beatrix and Her Friends: Celebrating the Life of Beatrix Potter, by Anne Lambelet.
Beatrix Potter remains one of the most beloved creators of children’s books, beginning with The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902 and continuing through 23 more Little Tale titles.
Potter’s stories featured a world of unforgettable animal characters that have entertained youngsters for several generations. But Potter was more than a children’s author— she was also an accomplished artist, a forward-looking farmer, and a committed preservationist. In her later years, she helped save over 4,000 acres of farms and wooded areas in the Lake District region of England.
Born in 1866, Beatrix grew up in a big house in London. Her Victorian parents rarely interacted with Beatrix and hesitated to let her associate with other children fearing illness. She was taught at home by governesses. She relished family vacations in the countryside, where she could roam freely in the nearby fields and forests and observe the wonders of nature. Back home, confined mainly to the third floor of the house, Beatrix and her younger brother invented their own entertainment. Over the years, they brought all kinds of animals into their nursery, a veritable zoo. Beatrix, who loved to draw, spent hours every day sketching each creature, especially the mice and rabbits. A favorite among her many animals was the rabbit she named Peter Piper.
Perhaps because of her solitary existence Beatrix developed a rich inner life centered on the animals in their natural habitats and in her imagination. Her children’s books evolved from illustrated letters she wrote to the children of her former governess, Annie Moore.
This picture book biography recounts the life of Beatrix Potter in broad strokes with a focus on the joy and comfort she found in her animals, real and imagined. —Synopsis provided by Margaret Quinlin Books
Beatrix and Her Friends is a charming picture book biography that brings Beatrix’s beloved characters to life in a new way.
Author-illustrator Anne Lambelet’s friendly writing is warm and inviting. It’s a pleasure to read aloud. And her pencil, watercolor and digital illustrations capture the spirit of Beatrix’s work without imitating it. Lambelet’s soft color palate adds to the magic, but it’s her use of lines that add texture and movement that sets her work apart. A fun timeline and author’s note, along with two photos of Beatrix Potter are a welcome addition.
Beatrix and Her Friends is a lovely nonfiction picture book that would make a strong pairing with any of Potter’s work.
It is a charming book written and illustrated by a bright young talent and it will appear in time for the 160th anniversary of Potter’s birth. With the reissue of the Little Tales in 2002, a new generation of children have come to love Beatrix Potter and all her wonderful characters.
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