Do brew a cup of Camomile (KAM’-oh-mile) tea, gather your children around, and read the classic story by Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. If you are grown-up and have never read this delightful tale, treat yourself to a gem of a story with strong characters and plot.
English author, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) wrote and illustrated a delightful array of stories with lovable animal characters. You can read the stories anytime of the year. Children love them and never tire of hearing the adventures of the animals in the world of Beatrix Potter. I’ve read most of the others but Peter is still my favorite.
Beatrix had a lonely childhood but loved nature, studied animals, and had many pets. She loved to read and draw pictures of her animals. As a young adult Beatrix Potter wrote letters to the children of her former governess, Annie Moore. When five-year-old Noel Moore was ill, Beatrix illustrated letters to him and sent a little story about rabbits that she named, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. She wrote more story-letters to the other Moore children. The little rabbits and other animals were later published into a book that became loved around the world. The books have many imitators but I like the small (4 ½” by 5 ½”) volume you can burrow in your hands. Children also prefer the small books for their little hands.
Potter’s Other Animal Stories
Frederick Warne and Company published the Original Peter Rabbit Books by Beatrix Potter. (Some are available in French). The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Pierre Lapin), The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (Noisy-Noisette), The Tailor of Gloucester (Le Tailleur de Gloucester), The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (Jeannot Lapin), The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (Poupette-a-L’Epingle), The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (Monsieur Jeremie Peche-a-la-Ligne), The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (Sophie-Canetang), The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (La Famille Flopsaut), The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Tom Kitten (Toto Le Minet), The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes, The Tale of Mr. Toad, The Tale of Pigling Bland, The Roly Poly Pudding, The Pie and the Patty-pan, Ginger and Pickles, The Story of Miss Moppet.
Peter Rabbit in Other Languages
How many readers of Mississippi Mom speak other languages? Besides French some of these titles have also been published in German, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, Welsh, and Latin. Show your older children how Peter Rabbit would look in these languages: FRENCH: Pierre Lapin; GERMAN: Die Geschicte des Peterchen Hase; SPANISH: Pedrin El Conejo Travieso; ITALIAN Il Coniglio Pierino; WELSH: Hanes tan y Wninger; LATIN: Fabula de Petro Cuniculo.
“Hill Top” in England
Have any of you visited England’s beautiful countryside? In 1905, Beatrix bought the farmhouse “Hill Top” in the Lake District and developed lovely gardens. With the sale of her books she bought land threatened by development and helped preserve much beautiful countryside in England. Please post comments if you’ve been there. I’ve visited “Hill Top” only via beautifully illustrated books. Read some of the other stories of Beatrix or stick with Peter’s Potter. Have a “Hoppy” Summer!
