Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the values are old-fashioned here. Children are smacked and switched, and boys are rambunctious.
Families who read this book could discuss the morals of the stories. What is the author trying to say? Do you agree?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jennifer Gennari
Beatrix Potter's art is reproduced in fine detail with brilliant color. Potter enthusiasts will love the biographical information. The favorite characters are included, and some not so familiar. However, heavy format and awkward size make this volume more an art collector's item than a book easily held for a bedtime read. Although some of the language is outdated, the stories are classic.
The illustrations are beautifully reproduced, showing Potter's skill in detail, humor, and expressiveness. Yet some children may not have the patience for the length of the stories and for the obscure vocabulary. The language may be too foreign for young listeners, but it enhances older children's vocabulary. Potter's imaginative tales are full of explicit admonishments and morals.
These bunnies, pigs, mice, and ducks come to life for children. They were real to Beatrix Potter too, who often relied on farm animals as her models. She used the same characters again and again, creating serial adventures for favorites such as Benjamin Bunny and Tabitha Twitchit and her kittens. .
Potter wrote like a friend whispering in your ear, exclaiming and offering little asides. This style made for rather long stories, which may overwhelm today's video-age children. The length is especially oppressive in this volume, as the publishers have crammed four pages from the original edition onto two. This also disrupts the drama of finding out what's coming up next: In one illustration, you can see--before you read about it--that Squirrel Nutkin escapes Owl's grasp.
Potter, who lived and wrote in a different century and country, used some obscure vocabulary such as groat, pipkin, and patty-pan, but the effort of reading these tales is worth these obstacles. The lullaby sound of such words as tippets and lappets, the soft illustrations, and the wonderful characters entice children into the world of Potter. The animals' misadventures and the consequences still ring true for children today.
From The Book
Little Benjamin took one look, and then, in half a minute less than no time, he hid himself and Peter and the onions underneath a large basket ... .
The cat got up and stretched herself, and came and sniffed at the basket.
Perhaps she liked the smell of onions!
Anyway, she sat down upon the top of the basket.
She sat there for five hours.
Plot Summary:
The tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr. Tod, and Pigling Bland are included in this complete volume. This deluxe edition also includes four previously unpublished works.
The unabridged tales are presented chronologically as Potter published them, with information about the inspiration behind the stories and the art.
Related Books:
Books With Similar Themes
Here Comes Mother Goose! by Iona Opie
Peter Rabbit Homepage
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ViolenceAnimals are eaten; children are smacked and hit with a switch. Various kittens and bunnies are captured to be eaten (though they always escape). Mr. Tod's house has "rabbit bones and skulls, chicken legs, and other horrors." |
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Social BehaviorThe naughtiest animals are boys. |
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