To commemorate Beatrix Potter's 150th year, The Tale of Peter Rabbit's first publisher invited 32 illustrators to reflect on Potter's influence. Each artist shares nostalgic remarks and creates an illustration inspired by a Potter classic, alongside excerpts from nine Potter books. Understandably, remorseless gardener Mr. McGregor looms large in several images. Brendan Wenzel calls him "a near perfect bogeyman" and, in a spooky watercolor, depicts him staring through milky glasses; Kelly Murphy pictures him in the same inscrutable spectacles, brandishing a sharp-toothed rake. Peter Reynolds and Laura Vaccaro Seeger focus on Peter Rabbit's mother ("She had suffered a terrible loss... and still she remained productive, optimistic, and loving," writes Seeger, painting Peter's plump mother with two babies). Tomie dePaola imagines Potter having tea with a human-size Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Dan Santat pictures bullfrog Jeremy Fisher feverishly awaiting a bite on his fishing line, and David Wiesner alludes to his own frog fantasy, Tuesday, with Jeremy seated aboard a levitating lily pad. Bonus points go to Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who combines essay and illustration in a nine-panel comic, reflecting on how Potter drew from specimens: "I look up photos online. How lazy. I need to remember to be more like Beatrix Potter and draw from the wildlife that surrounds me." (Krosoczka humorously shows himself drawing a pug-a far cry from a hedgehog or taxidermic squirrel, but a life-form nonetheless.) Ambitious readers might take a cue from the collection and envision Potter's heroes in new settings, while longtime admirers will find their fond recollections mirrored in the artists' words and images. Ages 3-7. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Thirty-two illustrators from Britain and the U.S. reveal their personal connections to Beatrix Potter's stories, illustrating their reminiscences by portraying Potter's characters in their own distinctive styles. Jon Agee's Mr. McGregor, peering into the watering can in the potting shed as he searches for Peter, looks just like Milo in Milo's Hat Trick (rev. 5/01). David Wiesner writes about Potter's choice of footwear for the frog character Mr. Jeremy Fisher, then shows Jeremy floating on a lily pad, la Tuesday. Given the patchwork nature of this compilation, the book's design does a remarkable job tying it all together. In addition to the spread for each illustrator, there are nine excerpts from Potter's books, each with introductory text setting the work in the context of Potter's life at the time. With all these pieces, it's too bad there are no biographical endnotes about the author-illustrators (although most will already be familiar to American readers). What would Potter think of this book and all the other sideshows being published for her 150th birthday? In fact, she was happy to make money wherever she could, but this volume is far classier and more worthwhile for fans than such licensed efforts as Quentin Blake's Kitty in Boots and the Emma Thompson sequels. lolly robinson (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 3 Up-In 1866, a truly remarkable woman was born. Scientifically inclined and always curious, the observant Potter grew up to become a woman ahead of her time. In this tribute to Potter and her memorable characters, 32 contemporary illustrators share anecdotes about their experiences with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, and many other denizens of Potter's enchanted world. E.B. Lewis (The Other Side) observes that Potter's characters are "simple, beautiful, and full of life." Betsy Lewin (Click, Clack, Moo) discusses her interest in the writer, noting that Potter "was a shining example of a woman making a place for herself as an artist and author." In addition to recounting personal encounters with Potter's work, each artist reimagines her world in original artwork. How delightful to see Peter Rabbit, Mr. McGregor, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and company portrayed in various and unique styles. Excerpts from and introductory descriptions of nine of Potter's books round out this superb collection. VERDICT This 150th anniversary celebration of the life and work of Beatrix Potter will encourage aspiring young artists to carry on her legacy and is recommended for public and school libraries.-Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Compiling illustrations and reminiscences of a wide range of children's literature luminaries, such as Chris Raschka, Rosemary Wells, and Brian Pinkney, this oversize volume beautifully demonstrates the long-lasting influence of Beatrix Potter and her iconic work. Melissa Sweet pairs one of her characteristic collages with a note praising Potter's scientific studies, while Dan Santat writes about Mr. Jeremy Fisher's generosity and offers an illustration of the besuited frog happily fishing from a lily pad. In between excerpts of Potter classics, other artists praise her realistic depiction of the natural world, imaginative scenarios, mastery of pacing, and so on, and the varied illustrations do a wonderful job of bringing Potter's characters to life in unexpected ways. Though the letters might not appeal much to the usual picture-book set, little ones who already love Beatrix Potter's stories might be delighted by these reimagined versions of her characters. This warm rhapsody for a beloved children's author and illustrator is an inviting way to introduce lesser-known parts of Potter's biography and a welcome excuse to indulge in nostalgia.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist

Alongside some of Beatrix Potters own work, 32 contemporary author/illustrators each offer a testimonial and a piece of original art in homage to this grande dame of childrens books. An introduction about Potter extols her fierce independence and unwavering curiosity during a time when women of wealth were expected to follow rigid societal structures. It mentions her love of art and nature, and it lists considerable accomplishments. The publishers hope that the book will be a source of inspiration for future generations of authors and illustrators. That might have worked had the contributors simply offered their art; each of these top-notch artists has produced an illustration well worth the colored ink. However, the testimonials, although not identical, soon feel that way, however heartfelt. Reading the text feels like attending a retirement party and listening to 32 glowing speeches, some of which have references that would be meaningful only to older readers. (Rosemary Wells compares Potter to pianist Glenn Gould; Matthew Forsythe compares Jemima Puddle-Duck to Emma Bovary.) Original momentsoften quite fascinatingtend to be lost in the repetitious praise. Moreover, it seems a cruel tease to new initiates to offer only introductory, illustrated pages of nine of Potters original tales. Enjoyable perusing; best as an adult coffee-table book. (Nonfiction. 9-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.