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.
