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The World of Beatrix Potter #3
Шивачът от Глостър
Приказката „Шивачът от Глостър“ от английската писателка Беатрикс Потър е трогателна коледна история за стар шивач, който се разболял и не могъл да довърши поръчания костюм за сватбата на кмета на Глостър, пък и нямал достатъчно ширит. Но понеже на Коледа стават чудеса, на помощ на шивача се притичват малки помощници, които бързичко ушиват скроените дрехи и оставят забодена с карфица бележка за шивача, на която били написани няколко думи. Какви били те, ще разберете в края на приказката.
32 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1903
84 people are currently reading
2142 people want to read
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,322 books2,132 followersHelen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews
December 3, 2018
I think this is my favorite of all of Beatrix Potter's lovely illustrated tales - and it was the author's favorite too! It has a Christmastime setting and a nice message about the spirit of the season, so it was great to revisit it.
A poor, aged tailor in England in olden times, "when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta," has a major sewing project that could make him or break him: the mayor of Gloucester is getting married in four days, on Christmas, and the tailor has accepted the task of sewing "a coat of cherry-coloured corded silk embroidered with pansies and roses, and a cream coloured satin waistcoat—trimmed with gauze and green worsted chenille." (I love the clothing descriptions.) All the pieces of cloth have been cut out, and all the trimming ... except the tailor needs one more skein of cherry-coloured twisted silk.
But it's late, so the tailor goes home and asks his cat Simpkin to use his last fourpence to buy food and the twist, because cats run errands in these kinds of books. While Simpkin is off doing the shopping, the tailor hears some little knocking noises. He turns over several teacups, and there are mice underneath! They bow and curtsy politely and then run off.
But Simpkin is angry when he gets home and his mouse dinner has disappeared. So he hides the twist of silk. Now the tailor is terribly sick in bed, and he doesn't know where the twist is, and Simpkin is still pouting about his mice. How will the mayor get his wedding coat and waistcoat?
So delightful how Beatrix Potter weaves together legends (animals speaking on Christmas Eve; mice acting like little elves) and the spirit of Christmas! This story of the tailor also has some basis in fact, per Wikipedia: in Potter's day some apprentices surprised a tailor by finishing a major project overnight. The tailor liked to say it was the fairies who did it. :)
This enchanting 1903 children's story is free online here at Project Gutenberg, along with the illustrations.
December 2018 buddy read with the Retro Reads group.
A poor, aged tailor in England in olden times, "when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta," has a major sewing project that could make him or break him: the mayor of Gloucester is getting married in four days, on Christmas, and the tailor has accepted the task of sewing "a coat of cherry-coloured corded silk embroidered with pansies and roses, and a cream coloured satin waistcoat—trimmed with gauze and green worsted chenille." (I love the clothing descriptions.) All the pieces of cloth have been cut out, and all the trimming ... except the tailor needs one more skein of cherry-coloured twisted silk.
But it's late, so the tailor goes home and asks his cat Simpkin to use his last fourpence to buy food and the twist, because cats run errands in these kinds of books. While Simpkin is off doing the shopping, the tailor hears some little knocking noises. He turns over several teacups, and there are mice underneath! They bow and curtsy politely and then run off.
But Simpkin is angry when he gets home and his mouse dinner has disappeared. So he hides the twist of silk. Now the tailor is terribly sick in bed, and he doesn't know where the twist is, and Simpkin is still pouting about his mice. How will the mayor get his wedding coat and waistcoat?
So delightful how Beatrix Potter weaves together legends (animals speaking on Christmas Eve; mice acting like little elves) and the spirit of Christmas! This story of the tailor also has some basis in fact, per Wikipedia: in Potter's day some apprentices surprised a tailor by finishing a major project overnight. The tailor liked to say it was the fairies who did it. :)
This enchanting 1903 children's story is free online here at Project Gutenberg, along with the illustrations.
December 2018 buddy read with the Retro Reads group.
November 21, 2018
My kid's grandma bought us a 12 book set of the original Beatrix Potter books. I'll be reviewing them at random and out of order.
This book is so so sooo long that it made me appreciate the conciseness of the others in the series. Nothing was really gained by having so many more words except that it takes longer to read. The whole thing is rendered a bit dull by the length.
But the unnecessary length aside, there's an okay story here about a poor tailor, some needy wealthy patron, a moody cat, and a lot of grateful mice who help the tailor out after he frees them from the cat's weird cup torture routine. The illustrations are, as always, pretty good.
At this point I'd read a lot of stories like this one (overworked worker gets supernatural help and gets famous), but my kid hadn't. My kid liked it for the most part, though there were a lot of questions about the drawn out endless scenes of tailoring that didn't really offer much in terms of practice or detail.
But hey, it was refreshing to get a happy-ish ending from Beatrix Potter for once!
This book is so so sooo long that it made me appreciate the conciseness of the others in the series. Nothing was really gained by having so many more words except that it takes longer to read. The whole thing is rendered a bit dull by the length.
But the unnecessary length aside, there's an okay story here about a poor tailor, some needy wealthy patron, a moody cat, and a lot of grateful mice who help the tailor out after he frees them from the cat's weird cup torture routine. The illustrations are, as always, pretty good.
At this point I'd read a lot of stories like this one (overworked worker gets supernatural help and gets famous), but my kid hadn't. My kid liked it for the most part, though there were a lot of questions about the drawn out endless scenes of tailoring that didn't really offer much in terms of practice or detail.
But hey, it was refreshing to get a happy-ish ending from Beatrix Potter for once!
December 20, 2017
A tailor falls ill before Christmas and cannot finish an important coat for the mayor. Luckily some mice with super sewing skills help in this Christmas version of the elves and the shoemaker. The illustrations are lovely and we really enjoyed the part where it mentions the legend that animals can talk on Christmas Eve after midnight and before dawn.
We found it interesting that the only other illustration we can think of depicting at tailor at work also shows the tailor sitting cross legged on the table. We enjoyed the sewing details and after a trip to buy some sewing supplies yesterday, we are confident there will not be the cries of 'No more twist' from our house this Christmas!
We found it interesting that the only other illustration we can think of depicting at tailor at work also shows the tailor sitting cross legged on the table. We enjoyed the sewing details and after a trip to buy some sewing supplies yesterday, we are confident there will not be the cries of 'No more twist' from our house this Christmas!
December 3, 2020
What a delightful little christmas tale.
The best tailor in the city of Gloucester is tasked with making the finest jacket and waistcoat for the mayor who's to be married on Christmas Day.
Even though the tailor was poor he had pride in his work and was happy for the mice to have any leftover fabric.
Noticing his cat had captured a few for a later meal he sends the feline on a chore whilst help freeing the rodents.
It's a shame that Potter only wrote the one festive themed story as the pocket size book with beautiful illustrations would make perfect stocking fillers.
With the tailor becoming ill, the mice setting about finishing the job and fulfilling the order and a much needed income for the tailor.
The best tailor in the city of Gloucester is tasked with making the finest jacket and waistcoat for the mayor who's to be married on Christmas Day.
Even though the tailor was poor he had pride in his work and was happy for the mice to have any leftover fabric.
Noticing his cat had captured a few for a later meal he sends the feline on a chore whilst help freeing the rodents.
It's a shame that Potter only wrote the one festive themed story as the pocket size book with beautiful illustrations would make perfect stocking fillers.
With the tailor becoming ill, the mice setting about finishing the job and fulfilling the order and a much needed income for the tailor.
Read
November 19, 2025Gloucester has a small museum dedicated to this book – worth a look if you ever travel there to visit the cathedral and King Edward II
February 17, 2019
I'm currently revisiting all of Beatrix Potter's works, and this one, was next on my list. I think this beautiful book is probably a favourite. It has a certain atmosphere, and it makes one think of Xmas. I think it is wonderful how Potter manages to create and weave together a story with mice and humans with ease. The illustrations are of an exquisite quality, as they are with all of the Beatrix Potter books. These add to the experience in a profound way, and it is very understandable why these books have stood the test of time.
March 29, 2021
This is definitely one of my absolute favorites of Beatrix Potter's books!
The illustrations are breathtaking, and the story is so heartwarming!
The illustrations are breathtaking, and the story is so heartwarming!
March 22, 2024
cinderella could never
January 5, 2013
Lovely story. My fourth Potter. Funny to see how people appreciate the different stories. I particularly loved this a bit more elaborate storty and the little drawings of the finely dressed mice and the Christmas town images.... I'm a fan.
February 10, 2024
5 stars. This is one of my very very favourite BP books, and always has been! Of course, for starters, I adore the images and the beautiful houses and china and clothes. (I have a thing for clothes, OK??) But I also love the characters… the poor old tailor, hardworking Simpkin, and the kind little mice. I love the plot, centered around Christmas Day. The idea of little mice helping out is so much more appealing than little trolls… I love the ending, hopeful and uplifting. This story always seized hugely upon my imagination, and many’s the story I wrote as a kid inspired by this tale!
December 26, 2022
A delightful little story, with a lovely ending….I’m going to give this sweet book to my youngest Granddaughter, and hope she enjoys it too……
November 14, 2020
A classic story that reminds me of my childhood and brings me nothing but joy.
December 1, 2018
Oh my goodness! So sweet!
December 7, 2020
Un clásico de la época navideña, en cuanto a sentimientos y buen corazón.
En la época que los hombres usaban pelucas y ropajes con muchos encajes y volanes, un sastre anciano y pobre tiene que hacer un abrigo y un chaleco para el alcalde el día de navidad en que se va a casar.
The tailor worked and worked, and he talked to himself. He measured the silk, and turned it round and round, and trimmed it into shape with his shears; the table was all littered with cherry-coloured snippets.
"No breadth at all, and cut on the cross; it is no breadth at all; tippets for mice and ribbons for mobs! for mice!" said the Tailor of Gloucester.
Después de trabajar todo el día deja las piezas cortadas y se retira pensando que le falta un hilo trenzado para terminar los ojales. Pero llegando a casa y tras enviar a su gato Simpkin por algo para comer y el hilo faltante, encuentra unos ratoncitos debajo de la vajilla al parecer "guardados por su gato" y los libera. Después enferma por varios días...
Mientras tanto el gato está molesto por haber perdido su comida y esconde el hilo.
Pero los ratones...
Es muy lindo, y claramente recuerda la historia que me era más conocida del zapatero con los duendes. Según la wikipedia, Beatrix Potter basó esta historia es una de su tiempo que le habia pasado a un sastre sorprendido gratamente por sus ayudantes excepto por un ojal que queda sin hacer porque les faltaba trencilla "¡No more twist!", pero que él decia fue asistido por las "hadas".
Las ilustraciones son preciosas.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14868...
En la época que los hombres usaban pelucas y ropajes con muchos encajes y volanes, un sastre anciano y pobre tiene que hacer un abrigo y un chaleco para el alcalde el día de navidad en que se va a casar.
The tailor worked and worked, and he talked to himself. He measured the silk, and turned it round and round, and trimmed it into shape with his shears; the table was all littered with cherry-coloured snippets.
"No breadth at all, and cut on the cross; it is no breadth at all; tippets for mice and ribbons for mobs! for mice!" said the Tailor of Gloucester.
Después de trabajar todo el día deja las piezas cortadas y se retira pensando que le falta un hilo trenzado para terminar los ojales. Pero llegando a casa y tras enviar a su gato Simpkin por algo para comer y el hilo faltante, encuentra unos ratoncitos debajo de la vajilla al parecer "guardados por su gato" y los libera. Después enferma por varios días...
Mientras tanto el gato está molesto por haber perdido su comida y esconde el hilo.
Pero los ratones...
Es muy lindo, y claramente recuerda la historia que me era más conocida del zapatero con los duendes. Según la wikipedia, Beatrix Potter basó esta historia es una de su tiempo que le habia pasado a un sastre sorprendido gratamente por sus ayudantes excepto por un ojal que queda sin hacer porque les faltaba trencilla "¡No more twist!", pero que él decia fue asistido por las "hadas".
Las ilustraciones son preciosas.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14868...
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April 21, 2019
Unlike the previous two stories,
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
and
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
, this tale of a human tailor of Gloucester is a longer, more developed story, which took me for surprise as I was not expecting anything particularly lengthy during my read-through of these Beatrix Potter tales, and it was heartily welcomed.
Whilst I still consider Beatrix to be primarily an illustrator, her story telling prowess is quite evident here. The tale flows and the characters are brought to life not only by her wonderful drawings but also through their actions. It is such a charming little tale of humans and animals working in harmony together, though I didn't feel any of the tweeness I felt when reading the previous two. Perhaps because a human is main stage-and we see the world through their eyes rather than through the animals-that it becomes a little more real, as opposed to being personified animals in woods wearing clothing.
Being English, I've always been incredibly aware of Beatrix Potter and in particular Peter Rabbit, but I've never read her stories (except possibly one or two when I was much younger) and never had a sense of what she was like as a storyteller in her own words (rather than her imagination being used in films). Whilst her illustrations are definitely the pinnacle of these books, her words are not so twee and "cutesy" as one has been first led to believe.
Whilst I still consider Beatrix to be primarily an illustrator, her story telling prowess is quite evident here. The tale flows and the characters are brought to life not only by her wonderful drawings but also through their actions. It is such a charming little tale of humans and animals working in harmony together, though I didn't feel any of the tweeness I felt when reading the previous two. Perhaps because a human is main stage-and we see the world through their eyes rather than through the animals-that it becomes a little more real, as opposed to being personified animals in woods wearing clothing.
Being English, I've always been incredibly aware of Beatrix Potter and in particular Peter Rabbit, but I've never read her stories (except possibly one or two when I was much younger) and never had a sense of what she was like as a storyteller in her own words (rather than her imagination being used in films). Whilst her illustrations are definitely the pinnacle of these books, her words are not so twee and "cutesy" as one has been first led to believe.
March 16, 2020
I love rereading Beatrix Potter's little books. They're very nostalgic for me, since I grew up on them--the size is perfect for small hands. I have these vivid, sensory memories of the illustrations. Evidently, I got quite lost in them, because I remember the sense of the picture more than the picture and story. Potter delightfully mixes whimsy and realism.
As an adult, I appreciate the sheer detail that Potter put into her books, particularly in the fabric illustrations she included in The Tailor of Gloucester. Any American child who grows up knowing how to pronounce "Gloucester" is definitely getting a leg up in life.
As an adult, I appreciate the sheer detail that Potter put into her books, particularly in the fabric illustrations she included in The Tailor of Gloucester. Any American child who grows up knowing how to pronounce "Gloucester" is definitely getting a leg up in life.
July 20, 2023
I Love This Amazing Story.
February 21, 2021
6.4/10
Another cute story from Beatrix Potter.
Another cute story from Beatrix Potter.
December 24, 2025
Enjoying some magical children’s stories this holiday season, I turned to this piece by Beatrix Potter. It is the tale of a tailor who is beloved in his town of Gloucester, but very poor. He is assigned the task of making mayor’s wedding suit for Christmas Day. As much as he would love to do it, time is slipping by and the tailor is sure he will not have time. Leaving scraps out at night, little hands emerge to help the tailor with his task, all in the spirit of Christmas blessings. Potter delivers cute story that teaches a powerful lesson at the same time.
I enjoy delving into my younger side, particularly at this time of year. Potter crafts this piece that is drawn on real events and shows that it is the little things that make all the difference.
Kudos, Madam Potter, for a lovely Christmas piece!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
I enjoy delving into my younger side, particularly at this time of year. Potter crafts this piece that is drawn on real events and shows that it is the little things that make all the difference.
Kudos, Madam Potter, for a lovely Christmas piece!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
April 16, 2020
I think that this was my youngest daughter's favorite Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter is one children's author that I truly enjoy, and this is one of the sweetest.
December 20, 2024
A very cute story perfect for Christmas eve bedtime reading! The whole thing is just so sweet and I love the illustrations. Those little mice and the cat Simpkin are delightful.
A timeless classic.
A timeless classic.
April 2, 2023
Book #3 in Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit Series.
A tailor in Gloucester is making wedding attire for the mayor. The tailor becomes VERY sick. Someone finishes the order for him.
4 stars
Next up #4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
A tailor in Gloucester is making wedding attire for the mayor. The tailor becomes VERY sick. Someone finishes the order for him.
4 stars
Next up #4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
March 26, 2020
I work in the health service and needed some light relief at lunchtime – not surprisingly at the moment! I asked Project Gutenberg for a random book and this was it. It’s a lovely copy with very sweet illustrations. I’ve never really read Beatrix Potter so the story was new to me. I learned lots of new words for materials – paduasoy, pompadour, lutestring, twist – and that ‘flowered lappets’ are folds or flaps on garments. I learned that a china pipkin was a small earthenware pot or bowl and I learned that mice are excellent tailors and that you can send your cat to do your shopping for you. A very educational lunchtime indeed!
August 1, 2010
- Miss Potter, may I ask what your new book will be about?
- Some mice help a tailor make a waistcoat. But the ending is flat.
- No twist?
- Ah... of course! A wonderful suggestion!
- Some mice help a tailor make a waistcoat. But the ending is flat.
- No twist?
- Ah... of course! A wonderful suggestion!
October 16, 2019
Fantastic little book!
December 28, 2017
One of my favourites as a small child. I loved the detailed illustrations of the mice's elegant clothing more than the story itself. Apparently the tale is not original to Potter but based on a local folktale of the poor tailor helped out by magic mice. Methinks it must have been inspiration for some of the earlier Disney fairytale cartoons. Potter wrote this story for a young friend who had been ill; I'm sure the child felt honoured. I know I would.
January 2, 2015
This story reminds me about the story of the elves and the shoemaker.
December 21, 2024
Definitely one of my favorite Beatrix Potter stories!
July 8, 2024
Henry Oliver's Substack on the Hobbit mentioned this in passing, and its title suddenly reminded me how thoroughly Potter dominated my childhood, which I had hitherto completely forgotten. I went to Wikipedia for a refresher and saw it's available online for free so I just read it.
The story itself is a nice heartwarming Christmas tale, with the tailor's cat going on a mini Scrooge-esque journey, to everyone's benefit. It's surprisingly complex in its archaic writing for what is ostensibly a kid's book: the substack mentioned it because of its odd prosody, the way the words ebb and flow in "lulling rhythms", and I have to imagine this is first place I read words like 'wainscot' and 'groat' and shit. Still no clue what taffeta is, even.
The restraint she shows in making up the legend that animals only talk like humans on Christmas Eve is great, especially because in other Beatrix Potter books the animals are normally completely anthropomorphic. The weird in-between world this book lives in, where Simpkin the cat can simultaneously go out to buy milk and silk, but can still only communicate in real cat noises, is delightfully stupid. It makes the twist (ha. [that's mildly funny if you read it I promise lol]) feel that much more special because the mice could only help the tailor on this particular (holy) day.
It's very linked to the illustrations for me, which are faithfully recreated in the Wikisource page. They show just how meagrely and miserably the tailor lives, in a cramped room full of dingy dark browns and shadowy indiscernable furniture, and how magical Christmas Eve in Gloucester, with all the animals singing and the whole town almost glowing, looks in comparison.
I associate this very strongly with childhood Decembers at my grandparents, back when Christmas was exciting, banging this out while a CD of Nat King Cole's interpretations of holiday classics slowly wore itself out. Entirely biased 5* for this alone, but it is also just a fundamentally nice story, executed extremely well by a great writer
EDIT: MATE *SHE* DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS TOO ARE YOU DUMB. PUT SOME RESPEK ON HER NAME
Edit 2: she also invented the lake district???? I think I am having a atroke
The story itself is a nice heartwarming Christmas tale, with the tailor's cat going on a mini Scrooge-esque journey, to everyone's benefit. It's surprisingly complex in its archaic writing for what is ostensibly a kid's book: the substack mentioned it because of its odd prosody, the way the words ebb and flow in "lulling rhythms", and I have to imagine this is first place I read words like 'wainscot' and 'groat' and shit. Still no clue what taffeta is, even.
The restraint she shows in making up the legend that animals only talk like humans on Christmas Eve is great, especially because in other Beatrix Potter books the animals are normally completely anthropomorphic. The weird in-between world this book lives in, where Simpkin the cat can simultaneously go out to buy milk and silk, but can still only communicate in real cat noises, is delightfully stupid. It makes the twist (ha. [that's mildly funny if you read it I promise lol]) feel that much more special because the mice could only help the tailor on this particular (holy) day.
It's very linked to the illustrations for me, which are faithfully recreated in the Wikisource page. They show just how meagrely and miserably the tailor lives, in a cramped room full of dingy dark browns and shadowy indiscernable furniture, and how magical Christmas Eve in Gloucester, with all the animals singing and the whole town almost glowing, looks in comparison.
I associate this very strongly with childhood Decembers at my grandparents, back when Christmas was exciting, banging this out while a CD of Nat King Cole's interpretations of holiday classics slowly wore itself out. Entirely biased 5* for this alone, but it is also just a fundamentally nice story, executed extremely well by a great writer
EDIT: MATE *SHE* DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS TOO ARE YOU DUMB. PUT SOME RESPEK ON HER NAME
Edit 2: she also invented the lake district???? I think I am having a atroke
January 3, 2025
I’ve never read this one, and both Klaus and I loved it far more than Peter Rabbit!!! He loved the sounds the animals made (miaw, and tip tap tip!) and I loved that although the premise is clear and predictable, it did not feel saccharine or frustrating to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews