I'm a big Beatrix Potter fan, but I'd never read this book. It had the same magic as her more well-known books, of animals living a human-like life unbeknownst to the "Big Folk," as humans are called. I think perhaps my favorite part was a chapter that was rather bland from a plot perspective - a sequence in which the animals' circus caravan is parked in a sheep meadow, and the animal characters rest and listen to the sheep chatting and exchanging stories. Certainly not the high adventure of scenes like the journey through Pringle Wood or Pony Billy getting captured by the Big Folk - but I enjoyed this slow quiet scene with the sheep because I knew what the author was trying to portray. Having read a couple of biographies of Beatrix Potter, I know that later in her life, her biggest love was her highland sheep - an ancient breed native to the Lake District, uniquely adapted to an almost undomesticated life out on the moors. Beatrix loved preserving the old country traditions and methods of farming, and she was more fond of the sheep than she even had been of rabbits earlier in her life. Beatrix's love of these highland sheep came through very clearly in the chapters featuring the sheep, as the animals talk proudly of their ancient heritage, their love of the land, and their love for their beloved Mistress Heelis (Beatrix herself).
This book is magical times infinity. The story of a guinea pig who longs for fanciness. Taking a medicine, his hair grows without ceasing (until it ceases, several days later). He takes up with circus folk, traveling with the Fairy Caravan: a troupe of animals, invisible to big people (due to seed packets plaited into their fur), who travel the countryside entertaining the other animals. Adventures are had, stories are told, cats are in it (always the mark of a superior read). There is a cat named "Cheesebox." There's a great story in it, told by a bird, about the nature of storytelling. I was gonna include a fucking wonderful quote, but I can't find the scrap of paper I wrote it on. I'll add it when I find it.Beatrix Potter (the author) has a very cool first name.
