Here’s a lovely case of a children’s story “spin-off”—or is it a children’s author spin-off?
The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, by Susan Wittig Albert.
First of all, if I had to choose just one reason why I love children’s literature so much, it would be its high level of applied imagination. It follows, as a result, that children’s authors are themselves lively figures.
As we grow up, most of us are encouraged to leave behind overly active imaginations. However, children’s authors have refused (or are unable) to do it.
Peter Pan refused to grow up. Children’s authors are grown ups who’ve refused to grow out of their childlike imaginings.
Click for link to trailer
Beatrix Potter: author and illustrator of Peter Rabbit and many other classic picture books, and a lively and imaginative person. Did you see the movie “Miss Potter” starring Renee Zellweger? She portrayed Beatrix thus, joyfully imaginative in spite of (or perhaps because of), the difficulties she faced in her personal life.
Consequently, Susan Wittig Albert has taken this childlike, imaginative quality, and used it to create a cozy mystery series for adults. It stars none other than Beatrix Potter herself. The books take place in a quintessential English village in the Lake District, where Beatrix bought her Hilltop Farm in the early 1900’s. The pace of life unfurls like a flower, while gossip travels at the speed of light.
The first book in the series: The Tale of Hilltop Farm.
Reading the series, it’s delightful to get to know and revisit the many characters in town. We watch Beatrix’ life become more and more rooted away from London and her parents. Furthermore, we revel in her characteristic delight in animals and children. Her wit, her essential powers of observation, and her surprising courage all endear her as protagonist.
Susan Wittig Albert has adopted Beatrix’ signature way of anthropomorphizing animals. We meet cats, dogs, badgers, etc., who share lengthy conversation with each other. Many of them read, some even decorate their homes and dress as if they were human.
The human and animal characters have parallel plot lines, leapfrogging chapters.
Finally, the books are very engaging in spite of their slow pace. The mysteries are mild, but relationships and circumstances create enough suspense to make them page-turners. This expanded story and world of Beatrix Potter as created by Susan Wittig Albert is sweet, indeed!
Happy Reading!