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Tag Archives: England

Literary Lepus ~ Rascally rabbits & their hare raising tales

13 Tuesday Mar 2018

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Animals, Children's Literature, Fiction

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Beatrix Potter, Bunnicula, bunnies, Cece Bell, Children's Literature, Cumbria, Elizabeth Fais, Emily MacKenzie, England, Lepus, London, Miss Potter, Philippa Leathers, Rabbit & Robot the Sleepover, Rabbit and Robot, rabbits, Renne Zellweger, The Black Rabbit, The Sleepover, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, WANTED! Ralfy Rabbit Book Burglar

Bunnies are synonymous with new beginnings. They symbolize the start of Spring, and heralded the beginning of children’s literature as we know it today. A rascally rabbit named Peter was responsible for opening the door for the children’s book market, at the hand of Beatrix Potter.

The misadventures of rascally rabbits enthrall young readers just as much today as they did in Beatrix Potter’s time, as is proved by just a few of the current popular children’s book titles mentioned below.

Beatrix Potter’s rascally rabbit

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) was a trailblazer for children’s literature, women, and the environment. Her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (published by Frederick Warne in 1902) established the genre of fiction for young readers. As if that wasn’t enough, she pulled off this groundbreaking achievement in the late 19th century, when it wasn’t proper for women to work, especially in a professional field. Miss Potter (the 2006 film) provides endearing insights into the whimsical imagination of Beatrix Potter and the societal pressures of her times. It is delightfully inspiring. You can watch the trailer for the film below.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, coverBorn in Kensington, London, Beatrix later moved to Hill Top Farm in Cumbria. A biologist and naturalist at heart, she bequeathed her beloved far, along with 13 other farms and over 4000 acres of land, to the National Trust on her death.

Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated 28 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages and sold over 100 million copies. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is still Potter’s most popular and well-loved tale. It’s the story of a mischievous rabbit and the ensuing trouble he finds in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden!

The Black Rabbit

Rabbit has a problem. He’s got a creepy companion he just can’t shake.cover art

There’s a large black rabbit chasing him.

No matter where he runs—behind a tree or over the river—the shadowy rabbit follows.

Finally in the deep, dark wood, Rabbit loses his nemesis—only to encounter a real foe!

Kids who love to be in on the secret will revel in this humorous look at shadows and friendship. (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated by Philippa Leathers, this charmingly adventurous tale will capture your heart.

WANTED! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar

cover artSome rabbits dream about lettuces and carrots, others dream of flowering meadows and juicy dandelions.

NOT Ralfy! He only dreams of books.

In fact, he doesn’t just dream about them, he wants to read them ALL THE TIME—even if it means he has to STEAL them. Soon his obsession sends him spiraling into a life of crime! (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated by Emily MacKenzie, this heisty hare will have you laughing out loud!

Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover

Meet the newest early-reader odd couple: fussy, compulsive Rabbit and overly logicalcover art Robot.

The hearty ridiculousness of a machine and animal hanging out together provides plenty of laughs as Rabbit tops his pie with carrots and lettuce, while Robot prefers bolts and screws.

Let’s not forget Rabbit telling Robot to turn down his Volume Knob anytime he yells, and the sight of Rabbit and Robot both wearing Rabbit-shaped pajamas, because Robot forgot his and had to borrow a pair. (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated Cece Bell, this delightful story of friendship is destined to be an all-time favorite.

Miss Potter ~ The inspirational life of Beatrix Potter


The Library Express ~ When bookmobiles had hooves

01 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Books, Reading

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bookmobile, Elizabeth Fais, England, Fairfax County, Great Depression, Kentucky, librarians, library, Library Express, mobile library, New Deal, Pack Horse Librarians, Pack Horse Plan, Pony Express, Virginia, Warrington, Work Progress Administration, WPA

We might think of the bus-like bookmobiles as modern inventions, but they were not the first mobile libraries…not by a long shot. The first bookmobiles were little more than carts powered by hooves. There has even been a Pony Express style book delivery program known as the Pack Horse Librarians.Pony express rider

Horse-drawn libraries

The first documented mobile libraries were carts filled with books drawn by horses. Preambulating library Warrington England 1859The perambulating libraries operated in rural England as early as 1857. Warrington, England introduced a horse-drawn van in 1858 that was operated by the Warrington Mechanics’ Institute, to increase the lending of its books. [PC: Wikipedia]

In 1890, Fairfax County, Virginia got on the mobile library wagon (literally) in the northwestern part of their county. But one of the most memorable mobile libraries was a product of the Great Depression.

The library express

Pack Horse LibrarianThe Great Depression threw the entire nation into poverty, and the already poor rural areas suffered the worst. Kentucky was one of the states hardest hit by the paralyzed economy.

We humans seem to show our best when things are at their worst. Such was the case with the first Pack Horse Library, formed by the Work Progress Administration (WPA) in Leslie county, Kentucky. This new project brought reading materials to those who lived in the remote rural areas of Eastern Kentucky, an area with little electricity and fewer roads.

Unlike most New Deal programs, the Pack Horse Plan was fueled by the support ofPack Horse Librarian local communities. The only way to get books to the people living in the remote mountain areas was on horseback, and the Kentucky women didn’t shy away from the challenge. The Pack Horse Librarians mounted mules and horses with panniers filled with books and headed out into the hills.

Each Librarian made deliveries at least twice a month, covering over 100 miles a week on horseback. The Librarians took their jobs as seriously as the mail carriers, riding miles through inclement weather, across backwoods wilderness terrain.

I could go on and on about the great work done by the Pack Horse Librarians, but you’ll enjoy watching the following mini (approx. 3 min.) documentary much more.

Pack Horse Librarians


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