R is for The Tales of Peter Rabbit: Library Notes

 The Tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is probably one of the most iconic of storybooks for children.  In the story there are 3 sisters and a brother rabbit whose mom goes out. The sisters kindly go blackberry picking in their yard while the brother mischievously goes on an adventure to the one place he was told NOT to go to. And of course, it does not go well. After all, he was being disobedient. However, as with most classic stories, there is a happy ending with a lesson included in the message. The sisters were able to enjoy a lovely meal while brother went to bed early without the treats as he was too exhausted by his adventures to even enjoy the meal. A great lesson is, Listen to your Mom! but I am sure there are other lessons to be gleaned as well.

In the photo above, you can see a little rabbit that ventured into my yard. While flowers were the treat pictured here, this rabbit did enjoy some of the fruits (and vegetables) of our labour over the course of the season. Thankfully this bunny is so cute that I didn't really mind but that may not always be the case. Whenever he felt I had had enough, he quickly scurried off, easily twisting and turning to get through small spaces to escape back to the safety of his home until next time.

In cartoon imagery, Peter Rabbit wears a blue jacket with brass buttons and shoes, which he loses, again. After all, it is common for little ones to lose their things. Giving animals human-like (anthropomorphic) features is a common literary technique. Perhaps it helps the child relate to the characters of the book or perhaps it helps to tell the story indirectly to ease the sting of the lesson. There is enough information to realize that it applies to them without being too strong or offensive. Similarly, using puppets to tell a story has the same impact.

This book was published in 1901. Consider with the child(ren) in your life what life was like in that era. Are things the same or different for rabbits today? Do we still grow and eat the same vegetables? Does a garden appear any different? One of the reasons this book is such a treasure is the beautiful graphics it includes and the imagery of not just the visuals but of the words as well. It is masterful at painting  pictures with its words. The story draws you in and holds you throughout as you await to hear the conclusion of the matter.

Perhaps the conclusion of the story will suggest to you that this is a good story for bedtime. As Peter Rabbit snuggles in to sleep, may your child likewise find themselves tucked into bed and ready for a good rest. But whether you read it at the end of the day or at any point throughout it, this tale provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child and enjoy a timeless story together and talk about the wonderful images you see.  Moments like these make story time memorable and precious. 


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