The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by

Beatrix Potter

This classic children’s book is one of the best selling picture books of all times. First written by Miss Potter in 1893, her familiar images of Peter Rabbit have been commercialized in many different formats, such as: games, dishes, wallpaper, stuffed animals, and bed linens. In fact, my daughter’s baby dishes bore reproductions of Miss Potter’s warm watercolor illustrations. The ageless Tale of Peter Rabbit has been printed in thirty-six languages.

 

Peter is a mischievous and disobedient little bunny. The story follows Peter for a day as he goes his own way against his mother’s wishes. He comes face-to-face with life-threatening danger as he tries to escape Mr. McGregor brandishing his lethal rake. Peter bears the consequences of his disobedience as he looses his clothes and seeks safety in a partially filled watering can. At the end of the day, he’s suffering both emotionally and physically. This leads to a wonderful discussion with your little ones on the importance of making good decisions.

 

There are many book formats available, such as pop-ups and board books. I suggest the original format. The original format is a smaller-than-usual picture book selected by Miss Potter to make the book easier to be opened by little hands. The small size fits so nicely with the text structure. Each double-page spread includes Miss Potter’s illustration and the text that matches it. The sentence structure is sophisticated with some lengthy sentences extending to the next page. Composed by a British author in the late nineteenth century, there is difficult vocabulary, such as mischief and dreadfully.

 

After you have read this classic the Practickle way, ask your child’s opinion as to why this book has been loved for over one hundred years.