The Tale of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) created a cast of well-loved children's characters. But she also began the trend for selling cuddly animal toys based on her creations. That trend is hugely common today. When a new, cute animal character appears in a film or a book, merchandising pops up all over the place, which fans rush to buy.
Potter started all this in England in the early 1920s with her character, Peter Rabbit. Today, Peter and his friends still appear on T-shirts in Temple Street, fine crockery in New York and as figurines and stuffed toys in gift and children's shops from Sham Shui Po to Sydney. Peter is very much a classic star, and in 2012, he celebrates his 110th birthday.
A lonely little girl
Born into a rich and privileged family in London in 1866, Potter was home-schooled by a string of governesses and private tutors. She was a shy and lonely little girl with a reserved personality. As she was growing up, she seldom met people outside her home.
However, Potter loved to draw, and she was very interested in nature, which she studied from pictures in books. Sometimes she kept small animals such as mice or rabbits in her bedroom. She made sketches of her little pets and gave them all names.