The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

From the Publisher

Mr. McGregor has two things on his mind when he sees Peter in his garden. One is the safety of his lettuces; the other is rabbit pie. Peter was carefully told not to go into Mr. McGregor's garden, but some little bunnies have to learn things the hard way.
Beatrix Potter's classic story has been lovingly placed at the center of this creative effort, and David Jorgensen has given Peter and his family wonderfully droll and expressive character and charm in his illustrations. On the accompanying audiocaasette, Meryl Streep explores all of the drame, humor, and subtlety of the narrative, and none of its potential to entertain and teach has been left untapped. Musician/composer Lyle Mays has coordinated and augmented the work of both illustrator and narrator with a score that unifies and enlivens the whole enterprise. The combined artistry of the contributors results in a new and enriching experience that will be loved by all. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was awarded a Grammy nomination for best recording for children in 1988.

Children's Literature

According to some modern dictates, this story would not be well received by young readers; the language alone would render it inappropriate. After all, what four-year-old could possibly understand sparrows that "implored [Peter] to exert himself?" Fortunately, children rarely read literacy theory and so for generations have continued to enjoy this lively tale of naughtiness. This edition is delightful for its rich illustrations. Each page is saturated with color. The illustrator's use of watercolor, colored pen and pen and ink bring Beatrix Potter's English countryside to life. Alert readers will pick out the veins in the ivy leaves climbing Mr. McGregor's sundial and the individual hairs on the cat with the tail that "twitched as if it were alive." A bonus is the text's typeface. It is pleasing to the eye and easy to read, a plus for every parent, teacher or child reading this story time and again. 2001, SeaStar Books/North-South Books, $15.95 and $15.88. Ages All. Reviewer: Stephanie Farrow

School Library Journal

PreS - Gr 3 These full texts of three favorites ( Jeremy Fisher and The Tailor of Gloucester as well as the title Tale), with spacious format, attractive design and commonplace contemporary pictures would be acceptable except in comparison with the originals. In her tiny, still charming watercolors Beatrix Potter was meticulous in the acccuracy of natural details which combined to give a perfect sense of real places. Delacre dedicates this volume to Potter as ``an example and an inspiration,'' but the overall effect is bland, and there is a sloppy lack of attention to accuracy: a three-toed cat, a stuffed animal rabbit in which an arm seems to grow out of the side of its head, underwater bubbles traveling down and then up. Of course an artist may reillustrate a classic, but a formidable original demands a formidable reinterpretation. Potter's beautiful, impeccable illustrations are a perfect match for her finely honed prose. Our children deserve no less. Joanna Rudge Long, formerly at New York Public Library

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Over the years, Hague has re-illustrated many texts that were in the public domain. A number of his books have given new life to overlooked work and have been widely appreciated. His reinterpretation of the work of Potter, however, is egregiously unnecessary. Potter wanted her books to be small enough for little hands to hold. Hague's book is almost twice as large. Potter's book has softly colored spot illustrations, honing in beautifully on the drama or emotions of the facing pages of text. Hague's art is overblown with extraneous details that threaten to overwhelm the plot. His rabbits with enormous eyes are reminiscent of those kitschy, large-eyed waifs popularized by the Keans in the 1960s. If Potter's books were out of print, or in danger of becoming so, one might be more receptive to Hague's version, but they are readily available and hard, if not impossible, to improve upon. Why try?-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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