In this illustrated biography, Sarah Gristwood explores the twists and turns of Beatrix Potter's extraordinary life and its key turning points and contradictions, following her shift from a sheltered Victorian daughter to an astute modern businesswoman, a talented artist who became a scientific expert, and a famous author who gave it all up to become a farmer, then a pioneering conservationist.

The book traces the creation of Beatrix's most famous characters--including the naughty Peter Rabbit, confused Jemima Puddle-Duck, and cheeky Squirrel Nutkin--revealing how Beatrix drew on her unusual childhood pets and stunning locations in her beloved Lake District.