1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Potter, Beatrix. 1986. THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT. Ill. by David McPhail. New York:Scholastic. ISBN: 0590411012.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The classic work of Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, takes the reader on a day’s adventures and mishaps of a little disobedient rabbit. Peter is the only son of Mrs. Rabbit and on the day of the story, he takes a path different from his sisters. The girls choose to follow their mother’s directions as she leaves the children alone for a short time; upon his mother’s leaving, Peter promptly goes to Mr. McGregor’s garden. The same garden the little rabbits were specifically told not to go near. A chase ensues once the farmer discovers Peter’s presence and theft of many of his vegetables.
After reaching his lowest point lost and alone, Peter begins to show maturity rather than disobedience and to act on good advice he has been given rather than making poor decisions simply because he thinks he can. Peter does manage to escape the garden and the retribution of Mr. McGregor leaving only his clothes behind. He returns home exhausted and grateful.
He takes his medicine and goes to bed without the pleasant dinner enjoyed by his mother and sisters. This book has stood the test of time and will continue to appeal to readers of all ages for its simple story and corresponding illustrations.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In another retelling of one of the greatest selling children's books of all time, McPhail’s illustrations for this edition of the story stay true to the original work of Potter herself. They are done in pastel watercolors and guide the reader throughout the story. The entire setting of the story is created by the illustrations. The original work was done at the turn of the 20th century with the dialogue reflecting that time period. The art follows suit. The style and fashion of the day are reflected here. When taken together the reader is moved back to a simpler time. Taken separately this task would not have been accomplished as effectively.
As Peter’s adventure begins, McPhail takes the reader into the garden to observe Peter’s excessive eating. Eating to the points of clear illness reflected on his face. McPhail also vividly displays Peter’s discovery by Mr. McGregor, and the work is culminated in the illustration of a de-clothed, wet Peter looking simply lost and alone. This picture graphically shows the turning point of Peter’s day and guides the reader to a different phase of the story. The simple story is greatly enhanced by the illustrations and the illustrator skillfully transitions the story throughout.
With realistic character illustrations of Peter, his family, and all other characters, the edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit is accessible to readers of all ages and carries familiar messages of trusting authority and of obeying one’s parents. It also provided another message: don’t try to be something you are not. Peter’s human clothes almost led to his capture, but as a rabbit he escaped. Peter was a little “boy” who needed to be guided by his mother not a mature one who could make the best of decisions.
4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review on Amazon.com: “The quintessential cautionary tale, Peter Rabbit warns naughty children about the grave consequences of misbehaving.”
Review on Barnes and Noble.com: “generations have continued to enjoy this lively tale of naughtiness” (by Stephanie Farrow from Children’s Literature)
5. CONNECTIONS
*provide the children with felt and other supplies to create puppets of Peter and his family for a show
*have children pair up to read other Potter books to share stories out loud
*have a brown bag talk
*Collect and highlight: The Tale of Benjamin Bunny; The Tailor of Gloucester; The Tale of Tom Kitten; The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
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