Intro. to Children and Their Lit.: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Potter, Beatrix. 1989. The Tale of Peter Rabbit. NY: Frederick Warne & Co. – The Penguin Group. ISBN: 0723234604.

BOOK REVIEW
Beatrix Potter’s timeless cautionary tale of a “very naughty” little rabbit who ventures, despite his mother’s warning, into the McGregor garden to fill himself full of delectable vegetables and to barely escape the grasp of the gardener with his very whiskers intact has captured the hearts of readers for over a hundred years. Rich with simple yet exciting descriptions, the narrative will charm and bring the readers into the English countryside with its “voice” and use of words like “kertyschoo,” which is to describes Peter’s sneeze when he is hiding from Mr. McGregor in a water-can. The reproductions of the original illustrations of the rabbit’s escapades are beautifully clear and detailed with every delicate brush stroke made by Potter visible. The watercolor vignettes, which are paired with its corresponding text to create a single spread, not only compliment the narrative but also has the ability to tell the story on their very own. However, it is the marriage of Potter’s words and art that truly makes The Tale of Peter Rabbit a treasured and classic story for all to enjoy.

CONNECTIONS
*Ask the group if Peter Rabbit should have gone into the garden or should have he listened to his mother and gone berry picking with his sisters.
*Have the group read Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, and The Tale of Mr. Tod, which also include the mischievous Peter Rabbit in the story.
*Meet the rest of Potter’s little friends by reading her remaining twenty books.