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mathmama
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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Ok, I want to start by saying I am a little embarrassed to be posting this. It seems that Beatrix Potter books are very well loved by women on this site. I have recently started schooling with my 4yo, following (for the most part) the MODG curriculum. We have been going to the library alot and checking out the books recommended as good reads. We have recently checked out some BP books. I have read some in the past and was not overly taken by them, but figured perhaps I had read a weird translation or something. I was excited to discover why everyone seems to love her writing! But, I still don't really get it. What am I missing? I feel somewhat inadequate for not understanding the beauty of these books. Yes, the pictures are nice, and the stories are nice, but they don't overwhelm me. Also, some of them have things that could be a bit unnerving to my sensitive 4yo. For instance, I was taken aback by the description of Tom Kitten's mother "smacking" the naughty kittens. And I was wondering how my dd would handle the story of Peter Rabbit (the suggestion of his father's demise and then his own problems in the garden).
Anyway, can someone help me out here?
Beth
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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Well, not all good things are loved by all--some things truly are a matter of taste. You aren't required to like everything. Now, if all you liked was what others considered "twaddle" and you didn't like any of the books that Charlotte Mason gurus consider "living," perhaps you would need to dig deeper. However, if you just don't happen to love Beatrix Potter, its hardly blasphemy.
I find Beatrix Potter's books delightful and engaging. I remember phrases from her books in a quotable way. There is something about the phrase "Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter" that sticks in one's mind or "It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is soporific. I have never gotten sleepy from eating lettuces, but than I am not a rabbit." (Which, btw, I think that the Flopsy Bunnies is my favorite). Those memorable phrases are linked to lovely imagery for me.
She wasn't afraid to use a word like soporific with children but it is not done in a preachy way (Now kids, can you all say soporific...").
To me, her books personify animals just enough to make them fun, but keeps them animals enough that we aren't overly devastated to find that Peter's father was eaten because, after all, he IS a rabbit.
I think that for families that spank, the use of punishment is natural and make sense to the child. For those that don't, I think it is gentle enough that you can simply address it matter of factly that some people do spank their children since they likely will have friends who are spanked and will be introduced to the concept even if not at home.
I think children are engaged by the characters like Peter who are naughty and get into trouble for it. They can live vicariously through Peter and yet not be under any illusions that naughty behavior doesn't have its consequences. (Like disrespectful Squirrel Nutkin who narrowly escapes being eaten and still loses his tail!!).
Also, you say the pictures are "nice." I would say the pictures are art! They are far superior to most illustrations of children's books--especially books about animals. The scale is perfect and she was the first of her time to attempt to characterize a bunny that looks like a bunny instead of some hybrid man-bunny. Yes its wearing clothes, but it looks like a bunny from my yard would look if wearing clothes.
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Sarah M
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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I don't have much time to post this morning, but I did want to say- I have this experience with "living" books every so often. I happen to enjoy Beatrix Potter, but I absolutely cannot stand Dr. Seuss. Not at all. This used to greatly disturb me (is there something wrong with me? Everyone else loves loves Dr. Seuss!), but now I just shrug it off and read what inspires me and my children, without guilt. I have a good friend who has a knack for excellent children's literature, and she doesn't care for Beatrix Potter at all. It just doesn't do anything for her.
I wouldn't overthink it, Beth. If your kids enjoy them, you can keep reading them, playing down the parts that bug you... if your kids don't love them, and you don't either- don't read them!
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KackyK
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 6:11pm | IP Logged
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Have you seen the movie "Miss Potter"? I saw it, very not my kind of movie, but my oldest dd wanted to see it. I loved it and found a whole new appreciation for her and her work. Maybe watch it and see what you think?
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 6:20pm | IP Logged
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KackyK wrote:
| Have you seen the movie "Miss Potter"? I saw it, very not my kind of movie, but my oldest dd wanted to see it. I loved it and found a whole new appreciation for her and her work. Maybe watch it and see what you think? |
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I was just coming here to suggest this. I have a few friends who didn't care for her books, and they watched this movie and have a new appreciation for her and the books.
It's a GREAT movie and story, even if you don't "love" the books.
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mathmama
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| Posted: June 05 2009 at 6:35am | IP Logged
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Thank you for the responses. I will definitely watch the movie. Knowing the story behind something very often enhances my enjoyment of it.
I also wanted to clarify from my first post. It wasn't the idea of corporal punishment that bothered me, it was the language that kind of took me aback. The mother "smacked" them. I guess it is just me. I do like books that show characters who face consequences for their actions.
Lindsay, thank you for giving me your take on the pictures. I now look at them with a new appreciation.
I was at Border's yesterday picking up some new books for the girls for a long trip we are taking next week. The girls do seem to really like the BP books, so I picked up a book that has a bunch of the stories for only $15. Perhaps this repeated exposure will help my appreciation as well.
Beth
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 05 2009 at 6:38am | IP Logged
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Hunca Munca is my favorite! But I do find the story of the kitten almost getting baked as a pie a little disturbing. So I don't read it.
The move *is* great!
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 05 2009 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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mathmama wrote:
| also wanted to clarify from my first post. It wasn't the idea of corporal punishment that bothered me, it was the language that kind of took me aback. The mother "smacked" them. |
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That makes sense. I think part of that is cultural, and I have glossed over some of those situations myself when reading aloud 
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Lindsay
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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mathmama
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| Posted: Nov 23 2009 at 2:31pm | IP Logged
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I wanted to come back and update...we are big BP fans here now :) That $15 collection of BP stories that I bought this summer has seen a lot of reading. We all have our personal favorites from that collection. Right now my favorite of the ones I have read is The Tale of Ginger and Pickles. I even bought some BP fabric to make my 2yo a blanket and pillowcase for Christmas. Thanks for your replies this summer, they gave me something to think about and did enhance my appreciation of BP.
Beth
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 23 2009 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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That is wonderful to hear- thanks for the update.
Can I ask where you found the BP fabric?
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Nov 23 2009 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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We *love* BP!!! I want to know about the fabric too!
But Miss Potter (the movie) was sad sad sad. 
Oh, and Sarah, I cannot stand Dr. Seuss. We do have some in the house though and the kids enjoy(ed) them, but I just never liked the rhymes nor the illustrations.
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mathmama
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 5:57am | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
That is wonderful to hear- thanks for the update.
Can I ask where you found the BP fabric? |
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Several places had it online, but I purchased mine from www.favoritefabrics.com It just shipped, I can't wait to see it when it arrives!!
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mary
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 6:22am | IP Logged
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I don't really enjoy the BP books or the movie. However, THIS BP dvd collection is AWESOME! i have given it as a gift many times. all of my kids are entranced by the music and story.
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Bethany
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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We love BP and I second those DVD's. We've checked them out from the library and they are wonderful. I love the music. I may have to buy them for Christmas.
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Bethany
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Topic: Beatrix Potter question
