The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Picture Book)

One of the world’s most beloved characters is Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter. Of Mrs. Rabbit’s four children, Peter is the naughty, and he just barely escapes harrowing experiences. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published commercially in 1902, although Potter published 250 copies privately in 1901.

Peter Rabbit was invented by Beatrix Potter. Sadly, her publisher did not copyright the book in the U.S., depriving Potter of untold amounts of royalties. In 1903 Beatrix Potter also designed and patented a Peter Rabbit doll – making Peter Rabbit the world’s oldest licensed character.

Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books, featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which celebrated the British landscape and country life. She wrote 23 children’s books in addition to coloring and painting books.

Born into a wealthy Unitarian family, Potter, along with her younger brother Walter Bertram (1872–1918), grew up with few friends outside her large extended family. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature and enjoyed the countryside. As children, Beatrix and Bertram had numerous small animals as pets which they observed closely and drew endlessly. Summer holidays were spent away from London, in Scotland and in the English Lake District where Beatrix developed a love of the natural world which was the subject of her painting from an early age.