Did You Know? The Tale of Peter Rabbit

After yesterday's interview with Peter Rabbit, I'm interested to see what little known facts we could find about the story and it's author, Beatrix Potter. This has always been one of my favorite stories, and one of the first that I can remember hearing.

Did You Know...

• The story was written for Noel Moore, the five year old son of Potter's former governess in 1893?
• Potter published it on her own in 1901? It was picked up by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902.
• The book was one of the first to be merchandised? In 1903, Potter released a Peter Rabbit doll, as well as a board game.
• The book has been translated into 36 languages and sold 45 million copies?
• Potter owned a pet rabbit named Peter Piper which she used as the model for Peter?
• In 1938 Disney was interested in producing an animated version of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, but Potter and Disney could not agree on marketing rights?  
• Potter wrote and illustrated 23 books?
• She was interested in science and wrote and illustrated a paper on fungi and their germination?
• Potter loved country life, and became a leading breeder of Herdwick sheep?
• When she died, she left most of her property, over 4,000 acres, to the National Trust? This ensured that the land would be preserved.

Here's a clip from a video adaptation of the story. We had this on video for the kids. I really like the live action beginning, which shows Beatrix Potter coming in from the rain to write a letter to little Noel. It really sparks the imagination. I also love the animation, which is done in the style of Potter's illustrations.



Monday Interview Series: Peter Rabbit

This week, we were able to sit down and talk with everyone's favorite naughty bunny, Peter Rabbit. He visited The Deliverers Publishing Headquarters with the assurance that there would be some nice, fresh vegetables available, and that Mr. McGregor had not been invited.

So, without further ado, here's our conversation with an older, wiser Peter Rabbit.

Greg:  Welcome, Peter. It's nice to have you here.

Peter:  Thank you, it's very nice to be here. Are, um, those nice cabbages for you, or can anyone have some?

Greg:  No, no, I had them brought in especially for you. Please, help yourself.

Peter:  Well, well, since you've gone to all this trouble, I believe I'll have a little nibble. Mmmm, delicious. Oh, I say, are those carrots? I must tell you that I have a weak spot for carrots. Mr. McGregor grows the best carrots in the district, but these are quite good.

Greg:  Well, don't be bashful. Tuck in. That's quite a smart looking blue coat you've got there.

Peter:  Do you like it? My mother made it. It is rather a favorite of mine, but I almost lost it for good in Mr. McGregor's garden.

Greg:  Really? What happened?

Peter:  Well, it's really all rather embarrassing when I look back on it. I was quite a bit younger then, you see. When I was a young rabbit, I had a passion for vegetables. Still do, I suppose, but back then I was positively mad for them--especially those grown by Mr. McGregor. I was so enamored of them, that I was willing to risk life and limb for a taste.

My poor father, bless him, had the same weakness. Unfortunately, he was not very lucky, even though he possessed four rabbits feet! Mr. McGregor managed to catch my father, and he wound up being baked in one of Mrs. McGregor's horrible pies. Nasty business, really. Um, where was I?

Greg:  You were telling us about your coat.