11 Reasons Beatrix Potter Was The Most Charming Pen Pal Ever
The author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit wrote charming illustrated letters. In honor of her 147th birthday, here are some selections from her correspondence with Noel Moore between 1892 and 1900, courtesy of the Morgan Library & Museum.
1.She describes the real Peter Rabbit. Not one to be fettered by reality, she then draws a picture of rabbits throwing snowballs.
2.She writes about feeding buns to elephants, and about not being allowed to feed the ostriches because "a naughty boy gave them old gloves + made them ill."
3.Just look at that mouse bundled up in an armchair.
4.She doesn't shy away from the ugly side of things. There's a fox with a dead bird in his mouth!
5.She describes branches as "quite covered with chickens."
6.She reminds you to appreciate the little things.
7.When she knows you've been sick, she sends the illustrated conclusion of the "Owl and the Pussy cat."
8.She knows that just because you're a dog named Stumpy doesn't mean you're not a gentleman.
9.And, like all the better pen pals, she is not too proud to admit she's offended when a dog named Stumpy snubs her.
10.Her letters are a little window into her precious mind.
11.And she felt bad when she didn't have time to draw more pictures.
