Share Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale with rabbit lovers everywhere this Easter!
Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866, at No. 2, Bolton Gardens,
Kensington, London. Beatrix Potter discovered her love of nature on
annual summer holidays in Scotland and the Lake District. On
September 4, 1893, Beatrix sat down to write a picture letter to
Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of her ex-governess, all about a
naughty rabbit called Peter. Noel was ill in bed and so Beatrix
wrote to him- "My dear Noel, I don't know what to write to you, so
I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits. . . . " Some
years later, Beatrix thought of publishing the story as a book. She
rewrote it into an exercise book and sent it to six publishers. It
was rejected by every one of them. It was not until Beatrix had
printed the book herself that Frederick Warne agreed to publish
it.The Tale of Peter Rabbitwas published in 1902, costing one
shilling (the equivalent of just 5 pence today), and became one of
the most famous stories ever written. Many of Beatrix's later books
were set at Hill Top-the rats that infested the farm inspiredThe
Tale of Samuel Whiskers,Tom Kittenand his sisters climb up the
rockery wall at the bottom of Hill Top garden, and Ginger and
Pickles.
Cyndy Szekeres is a writer and illustrator known for Puppy Too
Small, Suppertime for Frieda Fuzzypaws, Cyndy Szekeres' I Love My
Busy Book, Scaredy Cat, Good Night, Sweet Mouse, and more.
PreS-Gr 2-Over the years, Hague has re-illustrated many texts that were in the public domain. A number of his books have given new life to overlooked work and have been widely appreciated. His reinterpretation of the work of Potter, however, is egregiously unnecessary. Potter wanted her books to be small enough for little hands to hold. Hague's book is almost twice as large. Potter's book has softly colored spot illustrations, honing in beautifully on the drama or emotions of the facing pages of text. Hague's art is overblown with extraneous details that threaten to overwhelm the plot. His rabbits with enormous eyes are reminiscent of those kitschy, large-eyed waifs popularized by the Keans in the 1960s. If Potter's books were out of print, or in danger of becoming so, one might be more receptive to Hague's version, but they are readily available and hard, if not impossible, to improve upon. Why try?-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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