The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901–1902) is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. Disobeying his mother, Peter goes into Mr. McGregor's garden and only just escapes. It is one of the best-selling books of all time.
The story
Mrs. Rabbit tells her four children, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter, not to go into Mr. McGregor's garden, where their father had an accident and was put in a pie. Peter goes straight there and eats lettuces, French beans and radishes.
Spotted by Mr. McGregor, he loses his blue jacket and shoes, hides in a watering can and finally squeezes under the gate. At home, sick, he is put to bed with camomile tea, while his sisters have bread and milk and blackberries.
From letter to book
The story began in 1893 as an illustrated letter to Noel Moore, a sick child. When publishers refused it, Beatrix Potter had 250 copies printed privately in December 1901, with black-and-white pictures.
Frederick Warne & Co. agreed to publish it with colour illustrations, and the first commercial edition of October 1902 sold out at once; 28,000 copies were printed by the end of the year.
A small book
Beatrix Potter insisted on a small format, suited to children's hands, and on a picture facing almost every page of text.
The book has never been out of print, has been translated into dozens of languages, and Peter became one of the first characters to be turned into a toy and merchandise.
Anecdotes
A rabbit called Peter Piper
The hero was named after Beatrix Potter's own pet rabbit, Peter Piper, who did tricks and travelled with her on holiday.
Pirated in America
Warne failed to register the copyright in the United States, so unauthorised American editions of Peter Rabbit appeared from 1903 without any payment to the author.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mr. McGregor?
The gardener whose vegetable garden Peter raids, and who put Peter's father in a pie.
Who are Peter Rabbit's sisters?
Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail.
When was The Tale of Peter Rabbit published?
Privately in December 1901, and by Frederick Warne & Co. in October 1902.