Literary Field Trip

Beyond the Book:
Take Kids to Beatrix Potter Exhibit
at the Morgan Library in New York

From The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

"Beatrix Potter: The Picture Letters," a new exhibition at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, explores twenty of Beatrix Potter's letters to children, including the earliest surviving picture letter, the famous Peter Rabbit letter, and others containing the original ideas for the adventures of Squirrel Nutkin, Jeremy Fisher, and Pig Robinson.

Also on display are early commercial designs, nature studies, and fanciful animal drawings showing the development of Potter's artistic skills and the first stirrings of her story-telling sensibilities. Other objects in the exhibition speak to Potter’s fiercely independent business methods and her resolute attempts to sustain high standards in her published work. She had her first books privately printed at her expense, she stoutly defended her rights to her artistic creations, and she personally oversaw the design of toys and games based on her bestselling books, a model for merchandising ventures even now.

Young visitors and their caregivers are invited to enjoy books by Beatrix Potter in a reading area on the Morgan’s lower level. This exhibition continues through January 27. For more information, click here. 
 
More Literary Field Trip Ideas!

For a list of museums and galleries that offer exhibits of children’s book art, refer to the NCBLA article "A Literacy Field Trip." And for more tips about connecting books to places, read the Reading Rockets article "Day Trips for Book Lovers."