History of Peter Rabbit Meagan Carlton Carlton2946Final

Beatrix Potter Full name: Helen Beatrix Potter July 28 th, 1866-December 22 nd, 1943 English author Illustrator Botanist Conservationist

Beatrix Potter Born in a privileged household Educated by governess Was isolated from other children Had many pets: dogs, frogs, newts, bats, and two rabbits Rabbits names were Benjamin and Peter Grew to love landscaping Parents discouraged intellectual development

Beatrix Potter Most of her books are based on the animals she snuck into her house She struggled to find a publisher, but her first book was accepted when she was 36 years old in 1902 by Frederick Warne & Co. Her books were published in small format making it easy for children to hold and read

Beatrix Potter In her 30’s she published the children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit She published 2 more books with Warne, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and The Tailor of Gloucester.

Beatrix Potter Soon after she became secretly engaged to the publisher Norman Warne He died before the wedding could take place Beatrix was devastated. She wrote in a letter to his sister, Millie, "He did not live long, but he fulfilled a useful happy life. I must try to make a fresh beginning next year."

Beatrix Potter Potter published 23 children’s books In her 40’s she married a local solicitor, William Heelis She became a sheep breeder and farmer while still writing books Potter died in 1943 and left most of her property to The National Land Trust to preserve the beauty of where she grew up Her books are still being sold all over the world and are being turned into plays and movies.

Beatrix Potter Quote "I remember I used to half believe and wholly play with fairies when I was a child. What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood, tempered and balanced by knowledge and common-sense..." – Beatrix Potter’s Journal, November 17 th 1896, from the National Trust collection.

History Just over 100 years ago, on 4 September 1893 in Eastwood, Cunkeld, a well-educated young woman sat down to write a letter to a little boy who lay ill in bed. It began, 'My Dear Noel, I don't know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits whose names Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. The writer of this letter was Beatrix Potter.

History The first edition of the book is held by the Special Collections Department of the University of Iowa Libraries The book is 26 pages long The book only cost one shilling

History Peter Rabbit is also featured in the tales: 1) The Tale of Benjamin Bunny 2) The Tales of the Flopsy Bunnies 3) The Tale of Mr. Tod

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (short version) ONCE upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit 'Now, my dears,' said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, 'you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.'

The Tale of Peter Rabbit While their mother was out, Flopsy, Mospy, and Cotton-tail Gather blackberries down the lane But naughty Peter Rabbit goes straight To Mr. McGregor’s Garden.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit He eats lettuces, French beans, and radishes. But when he looks for some parsley he bumps into Mr. McGregor who chases him and Very nearly catches him.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Poor Peter is terribly frightened. He loses his jacket and shoes… But manages to hide from Mr. McGregor In a water-can, half full of water. In the end, he escapes from the Garden and then runs home.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Where Mrs. Rabbit puts him to bed and gives him a dose of camomile tea.

Facts about Rabbits A rabbit has 18 toe nails, 4 on each of the back feet and 5 on each of the front There are over 150 different rabbit coat colors, but only 5 eye colors (brown, blue-grey, blue, marbled, and pink). Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. Rabbits can see behind them without turning their heads

Facts about Rabbits A group of rabbits is called a herd A group of rabbits live in a warren Rabbits have 28 teeth Rabbits do not hibernate When rabbits are happy, they will jump and twist, this is called a binky

Facts about Rabbits A male rabbit is a buck A female rabbit is a doe. A baby rabbit is a kit. A rabbits teeth never stop growing. Rabbits need hay to assist the digestive system and prevent fur balls in their stomach.

Activities for the Tale 1) Writing activity: Have the students write a letter to Peter Rabbit asking him questions and sharing their own thoughts with Peter. ( home.att.net/~elteach/rabbits.htm)

Activities for the Tale 2) Writing Activity: Have the children write from Peter’s point of view an apology letter to Mr. McGregor ( home.att.net/~elteach/rabbits.htm)

Activities for the Tale 3) Have the children bring a stuffed animal to class and answer the following facts. ( home.att.net/~elteach/rabbits.htm) a.What kind of animal b.Animal’s name c.Animal’s age d.Where it was born e.Favorite thing to do f.Favorite food g.Where it sleep’s h.Owner of the animal

Activities for the Tale How Well Do You Know Peter? Quiz 1)What were the rabbits names? 2)Where did Peter sneak off to? 3)What did Peter eat in the garden? 4)Where did Peter hide from Mr. McGregor? 5)What did Peter’s Mom give him at the end of the night?

Final Thought Ask the children what they have learned from Peter Rabbit’s Tale and what they think of the story.