The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Other Stories

by Beatrix Potter, Joan Walker (Illustrator)

Written for the five-year-old son of her former governess, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was Beatrix Potter's first literary offering. Immensely popular upon its release in 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit featured a mischievous bunny who encounters a cranky old gardener and his cat. Beatrix Potter's work was notable for its lively illustrations of animals and imaginative characterizations of rabbits, squirrels, cats and mice. Working with her future fianc ̌Norman Warne as her editor, she published two or three little books each year from 1902 through 1918.

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

ebook

First published January 1, 1982

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

[daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud book for my son. It’s exciting to be getting out of the board book attention span and closer to chapter books with him. The illustrations are lovely.

[Kim Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I’m a silly sentimentalist when it comes to old children’s books. But, how can you not fall in love with Peter Rabbit and his friends, Benjamin Bunny 🐰, Squirrel Nutkin 🐿, the two bad mice 🐭 🐭, and Jeremy Fisher 🐸? Anyway. You all know the stories. If you don’t…I’m sad for you. And today I finished this book (again! 😆) on Beatrix Potter’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Beatrix! 🥳

[Terrance Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Rabbit and other stories is an anthology of 7 books created by the author Beatrix Potter. Each story has its own charm as each story focuses the adventures of many types of characters ranging from humans, animals and even dolls! Each story has an endearing main character and the illustrations fit the stories very well. Most of the Main characters are animals, with the exception of at least 1 (Mrs. Tiggy Winkle), each animal is humanized and each live in either the woods or, within the homes of human characters. Each lore is comprised of the same style of illustration and by looking at the clothes some of the characters wear I believe that the setting takes sometime in early Europe.This makes sense as the author herself was European and the stories themselves have a very rural setting. Peter rabbit is the focal point of the book and two of the stories directly correlates with his story: "The tale of Peter Rabbit" and "The tale of Benjamin Bunny". Peter Rabbit is a very popular series and these books made by the same author retain that same charm in each story. The character's are funny and while humanized they retain some attributes of being animals; for example, Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca from "Two Bad Mice" acted like typical mice until later in the story they begun to act like people. This a great book for readers who enjoy a nice simple book to relax and read or to read to kids of young ages I recommend it.

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I loved this book. I never really read any Beatrix Potter books as a child so the characters were mostly new to me (minus the special collectible 50 pence pieces) and they were when wonderful. The language made it feel slightly dated, but not enough so that I wouldn't want to listen again.
The narrator, Laurel Schroeder, was amazing. She modulated her voice for each character and she was amazing.

[Claire Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with 5yo boy. Lovely illustrations and stories.

[Zellian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stories but the narrators just felt off for this audiobook.
Bit choppy with the editing as well, if you were maybe multitasking like I was when listening you might miss that it jumps from one story to the other without any real distinction.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of two bad mice was my favorite

[Lieselot Mauroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were all lovely, enchanting stories.
And the illustrations were quite beautiful.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a lifesaver on long car trips with my kids (ages 2 & 4). Not only are they great stories that keep them entertained, they don't bore me to death, which is a bonus while driving! The edition I'm listening to has Laurel Schroeder as the narrator, and she's fantastic (couldn't find that edition listed here on Goodreads). It can be hard to follow some of the more antiquated language (my kids kept asking what "twist" was in the Tailor of Gloucester, and I'm over there going ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, but it can also be fun to have a conversation about how language changes and develops over time.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few children's books I've revisited lately with my kids that has held up to the high regard I gave it as a child. I was just as enchanted with the illustrations & stories now as I was back then. I could literally see my daughter falling under the same spell, and of course everyone got much enjoyment over the copious use of "his nuts" etc in The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. #hes9shes5 #itsinevitable

[Oksana Kornijenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Це просто скарб, а не книга:

Беатрікс Поттер "Кролик Петрик та інші історії", 352 с.
в-во Астролябія

Тут зібрані усі 23 прижиттєво виданих твори авторки, із 1902 по 1930 рік.
Загалом почати треба з того, що Беатрікс Поттер була унікальною людиною! Вона і писала, і сама ілюструвала свої казки.
Беатрікс хотіла бути вченою-мікологом, але 130 років тому жінці було зась до вищої освіти! Їй відмовили у праві стати студенткою Королівського Ботанічного Саду у Кью (Англія) тільки тому, що вона не була чоловіком! Б.Поттер першою припустила, чим насправді є лишайники. Оскільки в той час неможливо було сфотографувати дрібні рослини, мохи, гриби та ін., то вона просто усе замальовувала.
І от через свій талант до малювання жінка й стала авторкою казок. Спочатку вона вигадувала персонажів, малювала їх, а потім уже писала про них історії.
Про життя і творчість Беатрікс Поттер є чудовий біографічний фільм "Міс Поттер" із Рене Зеллвегер у головній ролі. Обов'язково подивіться! І раджу тримати у руках хустинку, бо навіть я плакала над долею Беатрікс.
А герої її казок - навпаки веселі, кмітливі, і якщо й трапляються серед них злодійкуваті та хитрі звірі (напр. подружжя щурів, які викрали кошеня, і хотіли запекти його у тісті - так, казки 100 р. тому були досить жорстокими, але життєво правдивими), то інші персонажі намагаються зашкодити їм чинити зло.
Тварини у книзі олюднені, живуть або в лісі, або у домівці когось із людських персонажів. Усі ілюстрації до казок створені в одному стилі, і, роздивляючись одяг деяких персонажів, розумієш, що дія відбувається десь у ранній Європі. Це логічно, оскільки сама авторка була європейкою, а її історії мають дуже колоритну, правдоподібну основу. Кролик Пітер/Петрик є центральним персонажем книги, і дві історії безпосередньо пов'язані з ним: "Казка про Кролика Петрика" та "Казка про Веню Вуханя".
Маю лиш одне зауваження до цієї прекрасної книги: от не варто було перекладати власні імена казкових героїв! Нехай би кролик лишився Пітером, а не Петриком, Бенджамін Банні хай був би собою, а не Венею Вуханем. І якщо качка Джемка виглядає ще досить органічно, то щура Самійла важко уявити у Англії на поч. минулого ст.
Щиро рекомендую!

[Tiffany Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I was given this audio book for free from Audiobook Boom and the narrator, Laurel Schroeder for a honest review**

Title: Peter Rabbit and Other Stories
Author: Beatrix Potter
Narrator: Laurel Schroeder
Length: 2hrs 2mins
Publisher/Date: Listen2aBook.com/ 5-12-2017

This collection contains Beatrix Potter's most beloved tales of Peter Rabbit and his friends. The stories are arranged in order of original publication, and although each story stands on its own, several are interconnected. "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin" "The Tailor of Gloucester" "The Tale of Benjamin Bunny" "The Tale of Two Bad Mice" "The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle" "The Pie and the Patty Pan" "The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher" "The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit" "The Story of Miss Moppet" "The Tale of Tom Kitten" "The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck"
"The Roly Poly Pudding" "The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies" "Ginger and Pickles" "The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse" "The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes"

Have you ever wanted to revisit your childhood's favorite Beatrix Potter books? Well here they are! Each book can be a stand alone but all together in this collection, the world of Peter Rabbit comes to life. This audio book is great for children, with each book being its own chapter it makes for an excellent bedtime treat or even an afternoon activity especially if you already own the set of books.

Laurel Schroeder does an amazing job voicing all the different characters from Potter's creation. Since Potter herself was an English writer it is only befitting that Schroeder represents the country side and characters with a British accent.

Peter Rabbit and Other Stories would be a great addition to anyone's library, but should be a favorite bedtime addition for any child!

[Анна Полегенько · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ця книжка - це збірник історій про життя маленьких звірів. Авторка писала, що усі ці історії правда. І вона сама справді дружить з усіма цими звірками.
Спершу ми знайомимося із найпершими героями цього казкового світу - сім'єю кроликів. Але мабуть найвідоміший для нас - це кролик Петрик. Одного разу, він не послухався своєї мами і побіг на город. Де ледве не лишився життя. Але на щастя все закінчилося добре.
.
Ця книжка це путівник по дивовижному світу звірів.
І якщо чесно мені здається, що іграшки - тваринки Sylvanian families, взяли ідею для своїх товарів саме з цих творів. 😅

[Tetiana Dzhyhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

підпорчу трохи рейтинг. перші історії досить притомні і цікаві, звірятка, те се. потім через одну починається хардкор про прикладання різочкою неслухняним кроленятам/кошеняткам чи інші покарання. я задовбалась пропускати текст чи пояснювати дитині шо тут певне мама не в ресурсі тому накричала на тваринку. тати в деяких місцях взагалі болт на дітей забивали. сексизмів вопшем гірка і ше трошки. але місцями є дуже цікаві оповідання з чарівними описами (не сімейного типу). не купляйте, вопшем, візьміть в бібліотеці.

[Chibimagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this in a Little Free Library, and wanted to re-live the childhood wonder.

I'd only ever read The Tale of Peter Rabbit before, so the other 6 stories in this collection were new. They're all in the same vein as Peter Rabbit, though I had some trouble understanding The Tale of The Tailor of Gloucester because of all the fabric terms that I wasn't familiar with. Overall, these reminded me a lot of Frog and Toad, though more purely entertainment and less moral-y. It's hard to imagine that they were written 40-80 years apart.

These stories are still good for modern kids. Nice and fun.

[Willow Redd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing my stroll down memory lane with books from my childhood with some Beatrix Potter. Who didn't grow up with the story of Peter Rabbit?

This book actually belonged to my sister, though I'm sure we both had one, so she probably has my copy.

Gorgeous illustrations, cute stories about animals in clothing, great for children of all ages.

[Eva Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are a timeless classic that have been enjoyed by my entire family dating even back to my grandparents:) Although these texts are centred around animals they can be related to human morals and lives easily especially enhanced with other texts. This is due to Potters rich and descriptive language used throughout which remains accessible yet effective.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contains the tales of Peter Rabbit, two bad mice, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, and a tailor of Gloucester, with the original illustrations. It concludes with a biography of the author-illustrator: "Beatrix Potter: The Lady Who Wrote for Children."

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book.

[Taisha Casimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good read. the stories were cute short stories about Peter Rabbit's friends. :)

[Jay Gabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the defining books of my life. "The Tailor of Gloucester" is still a little slow, though.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator wasn't as good as I was hoping, but I still loved all the stories!

[John Gambino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. I had never read it as a child. Excellent illustrations.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хоча деякі казки і старомодні (особливо,тощо стосується ставлення до дітей), але нам з донькою воно сподобалися. Також раджу подивитися фільм "Міс Поттер".

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember being mesmerized by the gorgeous illustrations in this book--the soft colors, the realistic-yet-fanciful depictions of the characters and their surroundings--when my parents read it to me as a kid. Recently I re-discovered the collection, realized I remembered more about the illustrations than about the stories themselves, and thought it might be fun to read them again. I was a little disappointed with the choppiness of Potter's prose, and the heavy-handed message of the Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny stories (Obey your parents or BAD THINGS will happen to you!!) made me roll my eyes, but I did enjoy revisiting a piece of my childhood.

[Dwayne Ackley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I still remember how freaked out I was by this book. Gave me freakin' nightmares, though I can't remember much about it other than one of the characters threatening to turn Peter into a pie (!) and Peter losing a brand new Jacket. It probably had a happy ending, but I was too busy pissing my pants to find out (give me a break I was four).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning Jim Weiss (as much as I love his stuff) doesn't get the characters voices right. Peter Rabbit especially sounds nothing like what I'd ever imagine. But as the stories go on, it gets better, and toward the end, some of the characters are great. My kids never seemed bothered by the odd selection for Peter's voice. They listened to these timeless stories over and over.

[Jaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were cute and sweet. They brought back fond memories of childhood. The narrator of the audiobook was good, but the editing was very clipped. The narrator would end one story and a nanosecond later the next story was beginning. If I wasn't paying careful attention, I would get the stories confused.

[Marybeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I enjoyed the stories (& I did), Jim Weiss narration was very sugary & off-putting. So much so that the five year-old I was listening with asked "what is wrong with that man". I wish it had been read without the lispy character voice.

[Fi's Journey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book. They are all lovely. There is something classic and timeless about them!

I love animal stories so that's why I've started reading this story collection of Beatrix Potter.