Tales of Peter Rabbit and His Friends

by Beatrix Potter

Tales of Peter Rabbit and His Friends is a charming collection of thirteen stories by Beatrix Potter, illustrated with her full-color drawings. Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Peter Rabbit, the high-spirited bunny who disobeys his mother and narrowly escapes disaster in Mr. McGregor's garden, and will recognize other familiar characters in this collection--Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Hunca Munca, Squirrel Nutkin, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-duck, and other favorites.

The thirteen tales are arranged chronologically, beginning with "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," originally written as a letter to a child, and ending with "The Roly-Poly Pudding," where Tom Kitten's inquisitive nature is almost his undoing.

Genres: Childrens, Classics, Fiction, Picture Books, Animals, Fantasy, Short Stories

137 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, mycologist, and conservationist who is best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.

Born into a wealthy household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Because she was a woman, her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology.

In her thirties, Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding.

Potter eventually published 24 children's books, the most recent being The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (2016), and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time.

In her forties, she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943 and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.

Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films, and in animation.

Reviews

[꧁ ꕥ James ꕥ ꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and sweet stories that bring back some welcomed childhood nostalgia!

[Loreley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ილუსტრაციები არის წარმოუდგენლად კარგი.
თვითონ მოთხრობები მთლად ისეთი არაა დიდობაშიც და ბავშვობაშიც თანაბრად კარგად რომ იკითხება, ჩემთვის ყოველ შემთხვევაში. 4-7 წლისთვის იქნება იდეალური ჩემი აზრით, ნეტა მქონოდა ბავშვობაში :<

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished a novel that referenced The Tale of Jeremy Fisher, I thought it time to revisit these classic tales. Except, I think the only one I’m “revisiting” is The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I do not have a recollection of having read any others. It is possible that only Peter & his naughtiness stuck – I was quite the push-the-envelope child so it is possible this story was read to me many times with the hope its lesson would “stick.”

Regardless, this is a beautiful collection of the original stories and the original artwork. Beatrix Potter was quite the talent, wasn’t she? Her drawings are meticulous, true-to-life, and breath-taking. Her imagination of the goings-on of animals is hard to match. The timeless morals of her stories offering lessons for parents to share with children.

Parents be aware though: some of the vocabulary is a bit of a challenge. These may be children’s stories but some of the words are sure to cause new readers to stumble – and may frustrate some. American parents need to remember that Ms. Potter was English so some of the vocabulary does not translate well to our American English. {An example is fox’s house that was built of faggots and turf. OED says faggots are a bundle of sticks, twigs, or brushwood tied together for use as fuel. Quite different from the derogatory slang term used in the USA in the past.}

[Deserthomemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I occasionally enjoy revisiting childhood favorites, and that’s what these stories are. Simple, sweet stories, and beautiful illustrations.

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Had 30 minutes to kill since I was tidying up my room so I listened to these cute tales!

[Ammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading these gems to my babies, as well as my students. ❤️

[Ana Maisuradze · Rating 4 out of 5]

ულამაზესი ილუსტრაციებია ❤️

[Vicki Bivens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy little stories. Delightful illustrations. A timeless escape to a playful world alone or with a favorite child!

[June Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this full-size treasury of Beatrix Potter's stories very much!

I purchased my copy of this treasury back in the late 1980s, and I reread it every few years.

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[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things that I noticed when I started reading the less familiar Beatrix Potter tales is that her stories depict life in the animal world as it *is*, rather than the charming relational lessons typical in modern kid's stories with animal characters. The animal realm is one of survival and eat or be eaten, and Potter's blending of the animal realm's real patterns with British village life (where people's characters are often homely, selfish and stuck in odd traditions), she provided amusement to people who could identify some of the animal characters with people they knew, as well as drawing them into better observation of the animals around them. It's not Guess How Much I Love You, but more like nature study decorated with plum puddings and pinafores.

This particular edition which we received as a gift, contains most of the best known tales and a few lesser known ones, such as the Tailor of Gloucester (pr: Gloster!), but the one story I miss is the Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, which is a favorite. I'll just have to buy that one separately, I guess.

[Haya. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a catchy style, that is enriched by suspense and anxiety. However, the theme of disobedience is so obvious in this story. It's apparent in both pictures and words. Potter stresses on the fact that obedience protects children although it might make them feel restricted. I'm totally against her. People can never learn new things if all they do is obeying the orders. I think experience is the result of being open to the world, and of having one's own strategies and ways of thinking. And if we are all the same, if we all obey the same orders, then we all will be copies. That's why I think I will not let my children read this story. I want them to explore the world, most importantly their inner world..

[Fahr Sivakriskul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book. This book had many different stories about little animals, and I really love the illustrations. The content is a little too young for me so I found it a little boring. I think it would be perfect for 5-7 year old children. I think the part where the rabbit mom tells her children to be careful when they go near human's house because their father was put into a pie by humans was hilarious.

[Jerome Terrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly can’t believe this is really a children’s book!!! I listened to this on audiobook and First, the narrator is horrible and second, the book promotes INCEST!!! Not cool!!! (One of the rabbits marries his cousin and has kids with her!!!) 😑😒 Some of the other stories were okay but I couldn’t get past this! 👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book when I was younger. I enjoyed reading this book because of the adventures Peter Rabbit and his friends go on. I loved the various stories and characters. I thought short stories were well written. It is a must read.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of the classic Beatrix Potter stories and illustrations. Was very nice to read to my adult special needs son.

[Lady An ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endless love to the Beatrix Potter's ilustrations 💕

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book.A wonderful book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite collection of Beatrix Potter from my childhood, with illustrations too. Read to my children, 11, 9, and 6 ❤💜

[Nehi Stauffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burning. Batteries. Wishbones. Pianist. Again. Articulations. Cyclical.

[Rachael Annette Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed reading this book together, she said she liked a lot more than some books we have read, but not one of her favorites.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved so many of these! But honestly WTF Squirrel Nutkin?!?!???

[Taren Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to read through. My kids and I took turns reading these aloud.

[Lamoreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Della Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Beatrix Potter! This little collection contains 13 of her timeless, adorable stories including her whimsical, beautiful illustrations. Worth a read at any age!

[Koivula]

My first time with Beatrix Potter :) Better than anticipated :)
Popsugar: 24 (a book with a rabbit on the cover)

[Maryjane Nordgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

endearing little stories; beautiful, delicate sketches and color illustrations by the author

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

My children would never allow me to read this book when they were little. So, years later, I finally read it. Strange little stories, but I love the art.

[Ethan]

Stupid rabbit, your arrogance will be your downfall.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contos divertidos, e muito interessantes, que lidam com questões de amizade, solidariedade, união familiar, e muitas aventuras da turminha de Peter Rabbit. Muito gostoso de ler.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

What intrigued me: My mom has been clearing out some old things and we found the second half of my Peter Rabbit book collection!

What I liked: Nostalgia makes it hard to figure out what I actually like about the book. I love all of the weird stories and adorable drawings.

What I didn't like: I don't know if the foreword overly influenced me, but I feel like you can see Beatrix's strict upbringing come through in some of the stories.

Favorite quote: "She also sold herbs, and rosemary tea, and rabbit-tobacco (which is what we call lavender)." p. 36