The Tale of Peter Rabbit

About this book

Old Mrs Rabbit warns her four children not to go into Mr McGregor's garden. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail obey and pick blackberries, but naughty Peter squeezes under the gate, eats lettuces, beans and radishes, and is chased by Mr McGregor himself. He loses his shoes and his new blue jacket with brass buttons, hides in a watering can and finally escapes home, where he is put to bed with camomile tea while his sisters have bread, milk and blackberries for supper.

Context and significance

Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) first told the story in a picture letter to a sick child in 1893 and published it in 1902; it became one of the best-selling children's books of all time. This early American edition has illustrations by Virginia Albert instead of Potter's own pictures. Read The Wind in the Willows.

About the author