We also learn that "The Tailor of Gloucester" was her personal favorite among her stories, and it is easy to understand why. She enjoyed thinking they came on little rafts. Nutkin, for example, is based on the musings of an old lady who lived on the island and thought they squirrels came from all around when the nuts were ripe. This treasury also has a short note at the beginning of each story about its origins and the Miss Potter's life at the time it was created. However, she has the squirrels building rafts and traveling over the water to the island! My granddaughter loved this story and laughed very hard at how silly Nutkin is. I love how, in Nutkin, she has the squirrels bring the owl different gifts of animals to eat in exchange for gathering nuts on his island. The animals are fantasies, yes, but Beatrix Potter was also a keen observer of animals and nature. These stories have been in print for a century because they are so special. And the paintings and drawings are glorious. These are children's stories, to be sure, but they are very charming, the language is pleasant and better than most of what is fobbed off as "children's literature" today. And, for heaven's sake, you can read and enjoy them as an adult. You will have children and grandchildren to read the stories to. This book is a treasure and every home should have a copy on their shelf.
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