By Darla McCammon and DeeAnna Muraski

An illustration of Peter Rabbit by Helen Beatrix Potter.

“I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits whose names are Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter…”

So begins one of the most popular, beloved books of all time that almost did not get published: “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”

Bunnies are synonymous with Easter as Santa Claus is with Christmas. The character of Peter Rabbit was created and painted by a very interesting woman, Helen Beatrix Potter. You might not know about her life and diverse career; but, I am sure you recognize her iconic, fuzzy, warm bunnies.

However, Easter bunnies as we know them might look different if it were not for the illness of a young child. Potter enjoyed a comfortable childhood and as part of that lifestyle had a governess, Annie. As she and Annie spent so much time together, they developed a strong, lifelong relationship. When her governess began to have her own children, it was Potter who was quick to reciprocate by entertaining them and helping where she could.

Thus, one particularly dark winter when her prior governess’s child, Noel, had a lengthy illness, Potter quickly stepped in. As her favorite pastime was being regaled by stories from her governess, she set pen to paper and began to write the story of four bunnies, one of which was wayward. The story and exquisite, water-colored drawings captured the heart of Noel and his siblings, who were immediately delighted, entertained and transported to a fantastical world of bunnies.

Potter was encouraged by Annie, friends and family to get her book and art published. However, after many disappointing attempts and rejections, she set about self-publishing, an idea way before its time. She initially created 250 mock-ups of the book for family and friends. Yet when these proved successful, she was finally able to sell her book in 1902 to a publisher who had previously rejected her. As is true with most children’s books today, the artistry sold the story and it was an instant bestseller, requiring six back-to-back editions.

Potter’s parents had artistic and photographic talent, which they imparted to their children. As a Victorian woman, she was not afforded the luxury of further education, as it was deemed unnecessary for women. Thus, Potter’s parents encouraged her to draw. Since nature was a readily available, free, and generally stable subject matter, it proved to be the impetus for her study into mycology/fungi. She not only drew nature and examined it, but also created a steady income by selling her illustrations for scientific publications. She taught herself by careful observation of nature and the pastoral countryside about her. The illustrations she created for her children’s books came from actual buildings which still stand today.

Within two years of the book’s success, she had created companion merchandise and trademarked Peter Rabbit. She continued to write and illustrate over 28 books. Her study on mycology was finally acknowledged and accepted by serious peers. And as a lasting legacy, she donated all 4,000 acres of her land and 15 properties she owned to the National Trust. So, a woman with no formal education and no children studied life to the extent she was an expert on bringing out the best in nature and animal to project onto the page beautifully. And we are all eternally grateful.