Peter Rabbit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter Rabbit |
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"First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes."
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| First appearance | The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) |
| Last appearance | The Tale of Mr. Tod (1912) |
| Created by | Beatrix Potter |
| Voiced by | Rory Carty (1992-1993) Mark Lockyer (1995) Cam Clarke (1995) Colin de Paula (2012-2014) L. Parker Lucas (2014-2015) James Corden (2018-present) Sienna Adams (2019) |
| Information | |
| Species | European rabbit |
| Gender | Male |
| Family | Mr. Rabbit (father, deceased) Mrs. Josephine Rabbit (mother) Benjamin Bunny (cousin/brother in-law) Flopsy Rabbit/Flopsy Bunny (sister/cousin-in-law) Mopsy and Cotton-tail (sisters) |
| Relatives | Bouncer (uncle) Benjamin and Flopsy's children (nephews and nieces/cousins-once removed) unnamed brother-in-law by Cotton-tail |
| Nationality | British English |
Peter Rabbit is a famous rabbit character from children's stories. He was created by the author Beatrix Potter. Peter first appeared in a book called The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902. He then starred in five more books until 1912. You can find Peter Rabbit on many items like dishes, wallpaper, and toys. He also appears in movies and TV shows.
Contents
Meet Peter Rabbit and His Family
The rabbits in Beatrix Potter's stories are special. They act like humans and wear clothes. Peter Rabbit wears a jacket and shoes. Peter lives with his mother, Mrs. Josephine Rabbit, and his three sisters. Their names are Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. They live in a cozy rabbit hole that looks like a human home. It even has a kitchen and furniture. Mrs. Rabbit also runs a small shop there. Peter's cousin is Benjamin Bunny, and Benjamin's father is Mr. Bouncer Bunny.
How Peter Rabbit's Story Began
Peter Rabbit was named after a real pet rabbit. This rabbit belonged to Beatrix Potter when she was a child. She called her pet Peter Piper. The very first Peter Rabbit story was written in 1893. It was a letter to a five-year-old boy named Noel Moore. Noel was sick, and Beatrix Potter wanted to cheer him up. She sent him a letter with a story and drawings. This letter became the famous book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Peter Rabbit's Popularity
In 1903, the story was officially published as a book. It quickly became very popular. By the end of that year, 28,000 copies were printed! Over time, The Tale of Peter Rabbit has sold more than 40 million copies around the world. The whole Peter Rabbit series has sold over 151 million copies. These books have been translated into 35 different languages.
Peter Rabbit's Adventures in Books
Peter Rabbit has many exciting adventures in his books. Here are some of his most famous tales:
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)
This is where Peter's story begins. Peter's mother tells him not to go into Mr. McGregor's garden. But Peter doesn't listen! He sneaks in and eats lots of vegetables. Mr. McGregor sees him and chases him. Peter barely escapes, but he loses his jacket and shoes. Mr. McGregor uses them to dress a scarecrow. Peter goes home tired and a little sick. His mother gives him chamomile tea to help him feel better.
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)
In this story, Peter's cousin Benjamin Bunny helps him. They go back to Mr. McGregor's garden to find Peter's lost clothes. They also gather onions for Peter's mother. But then, Mr. McGregor's cat catches them! Luckily, Benjamin's father, Mr. Bouncer, comes to rescue them. He also gives Peter and Benjamin a gentle scolding for being naughty. Peter is a bit scared to go back to the garden this time.
The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies (1909)
Peter has a smaller part in this book. He is grown up now. His sister Flopsy is married to their cousin Benjamin. They have six little Flopsy Bunnies. Peter and his mother have a garden where they grow plants. The little bunnies sometimes ask Peter for extra cabbage.
The Tale of Mr. Tod (1912)
This adventure is more exciting! Benjamin and Flopsy's children are taken by a grumpy badger named Tommy Brock. Peter helps Benjamin chase after Brock. Brock is hiding in the house of a fox named Mr. Tod. Mr. Tod finds Brock sleeping in his bed, and they start to fight. While they are busy, Peter and Benjamin bravely rescue the children.
Other Appearances
Peter Rabbit also makes quick appearances in other stories. In The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905), Peter and Benjamin are customers of a hedgehog washerwoman. You can see them peeking from the trees in one picture. In The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (1909), Peter and other characters visit the shop of Ginger and Pickles.
New Peter Rabbit Stories
To celebrate 110 years of Peter Rabbit, a famous British actress named Emma Thompson wrote a new book. It's called The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit. In this story, Peter accidentally travels to Scotland with Mr. and Mrs. McGregor. Emma Thompson has written more Peter Rabbit books since then, including The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Spectacular Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Peter Rabbit Merchandise and Fame
Beatrix Potter herself started making Peter Rabbit toys and games. Soon after the first book, she created a soft doll of Peter. She also made a Peter Rabbit board game. Since then, Peter Rabbit has appeared on many different items. You can find him on porcelain figures, dishes, and even baby formula packaging.
Peter Rabbit was the first soft toy to get a special protection called a patent in 1903. This means Peter is the oldest character to have his image officially protected. The company Frederick Warne & Co owns the rights to Beatrix Potter's characters.
Peter Rabbit is very popular in Japan. Many Japanese people visit the Lake District in England, where Beatrix Potter lived. They learn about her stories in school. There is even a copy of Potter's house and a theme park in Japan. Some banks in Japan have gardens like Mr. McGregor's! It's believed that 80% of people in Japan know about Peter Rabbit.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Rabbit para niños
