Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Peter goes to Scotland in inspired charmer, fun read-aloud.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Peter Rabbit feels he needs a change of scene and squeezes under the gate to once again steal a lettuce from Mr. McGregor's garden, only to find "an interesting basket smelling of onions" and hop in, devouring the picnic lunch inside and falling asleep. When Peter wakes up, he finds the basket is on a moving cart, which has taken him from his home all the way to Scotland. When it stops and he's discovered, he bolts and soon runs into a distant cousin, a big black bunny named Finlay McBurney. Peter is taken into the McBurneys' burrow, fed, and put to bed, and in the morning goes with Finlay to the Games, a competition among different rabbit clans, where Peter's hunger again leads to mischief -- this time in a radish toss that could unseat the champion: Finlay McBurney himself.
Is It Any Good?
Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson does a fantastic job of capturing the tone, humor, and charm of the original Beatrix Potter stories about the now century-plus-old Peter Rabbit character. And Eleanor Taylor's illustrations are equally true to the source. The story is gentle and dryly witty, either read on the page or dramatically narrated by Thompson on an accompanying audio CD with music. It's especially fun to hear her speak in Finlay McBurney's Scotts accent. The entire package should delight little ones as well as their parents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Peter Rabbit a character who has stood the test of time and lives on in a new story. What's so appealing and enduring about him?
What do you think of think of a contemporary author writing a new story using a classic character? Can you think of other books or movies where this is the case?
Do you like reading a book by a movie star? Do you know Emma Thompson from Nanny McPhee or the Harry Potter movies, or as the voice of the mom in Brave?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Eleanor Taylor
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Frederick Warne
- Publication date : September 18, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 9
- Number of pages : 64
- Available on : Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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