The Tale of Peter Rabbit

 The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter 

1. Bibliography 

Beatrix Potter. (2004). The tale of Peter Rabbit. F. Warne. ISBN 9780723267690 

 

2. Plot Summary 

There were four little rabbits who lived with their mother. The mother told the little rabbits to stay away from Mr. McGregor's garden. One little naughty rabbit named Peter disobeyed and went to Mr. McGregor's garden where he ate until his stomach hurt. Then he went to look for parsley and was discovered by Mr. McGregor who chased him with a hoe around the garden. After facing many challenges and encounters with Mr. McGregor, Peter finally escaped the garden and made it home.  

 

3. Critical Analysis 

The author/ illustrator Beatrix Potter shares a story that is intended to teach a lesson at the end. The story is told with simple sentence structure that the reader can easily follow along. The reader can understand the familiarity in the way that mother rabbit speaks to her children. when she is reminding them of the expectations of what they can and what they cannot do while she is running an errand.  

Beatrix Potter’s drawings with the added touch of watercolors is beautifully and simply done. They are small in nature and the picture  correlates with the simplistic writing. The illustrations show the reader the family dynamics of Peter Rabbit with his mother and siblings. Her drawings are created so that children know that Peter and his siblings are loved, and his mother is concerned about their health and safety. The picture of Peter in his little blue coat and shoes shows he is well cared for. Also looking at the illustration a child can recognize how naughty Peter is as well as how scary Mr. McGregor can be.  

This little book makes Peter Rabbit so relatable to children because many children make poor choices one time or another with the result of natural consequences. Peter faces the consequence at the end of the story when he is sent to bed and the sisters get an enjoyable supper. 

 

4. Review Excerpts 

(I struggled with finding professional reviews for this classic book) 

Common Sense Media: This first story by Beatrix Potter is one of her best. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit 

Good Reads: first published in 1902, is still today one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tales. It is the first of the illustrious series that is The World of Beatrix Potter', and a story which has endured retelling after retelling at bedtimes all over the world. 

Book Trust: Beatrix Potter's iconic tale of the naughty rabbit has been a favourite with children and parents ever since it was published in 1902. Potter's charming, expressive rabbits have a timeless charm, and the story of the gentle consequences of disobeying one's parents is as relevant as ever. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/t/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit/ 

 

5. Connections 

 

1. We could create a sequencing activity with the journey of Peter Rabbit to Mr. McGregor's farm and back home. 
2. Discuss with children the consequences of not obeying parents. Discuss the safety issues of going to unsafe places without an adult. This coould be used foor a community circle question. 
3. Display a page from the book of one of the illustrations (example page 34 when Peter is caught in the gooseberry net) turn and talk with their elbow partner about what they see, what they think, and what Peter might be feeling. Then have students write about what they discussed with their elbow partner.  
4. Cross-curricular, students could plant carrot seeds in an egg carton then plant in the school garden if available or take home. 
5. Quick Write: Create a story with an animal that must follow a rule. Write about the outcome if the animal follows the rule or does not follow the rule.