The Tailor of Gloucester facts for kids
First edition cover
|
|
| Author | Beatrix Potter |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Beatrix Potter |
| Country | England, United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Frederick Warne & Co. |
|
Publication date
|
October 1903 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) KO |
| OCLC | 884366 |
| Preceded by | The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin |
| Followed by | The Tale of Benjamin Bunny |
The Tailor of Gloucester is a famous children's book. It was written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. She first printed it herself in 1902. Then, a publisher called Frederick Warne & Co. released it to everyone in October 1903.
The story is about a kind tailor. He is working on a special coat. Little mice help him finish the work. These mice are grateful because the tailor saved them from his cat. Beatrix Potter always said this book was her favorite.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
A tailor in Gloucester needs to finish a fancy coat called a waistcoat. The mayor wants it for his wedding on Christmas morning. The tailor sends his cat, Simpkin, to buy food and some special silk thread.
While Simpkin is out, the tailor finds mice trapped under teacups. Simpkin had caught them! The tailor feels sorry for the mice and lets them go. When Simpkin comes back and sees the mice are gone, he gets angry. He hides the silk thread.
The tailor then gets very sick. He cannot finish the waistcoat. But when he returns to his shop, he is amazed! The waistcoat is almost done. The grateful mice finished it for him. Only one buttonhole is left, because there was "no more twist!" Simpkin then gives the tailor the hidden thread. The tailor finishes the coat, and it becomes a big success. This makes the tailor very rich.
How the Story Was Created
The Real-Life Inspiration
Beatrix Potter started writing The Tailor of Gloucester in 1901. She heard a story about a poor tailor in Gloucestershire. This true story involved a tailor named John Prichard. He was making a suit for the new mayor.
One morning, he found the suit almost finished. Only one buttonhole was left. A note said, "No more twist." His helpers had finished the suit during the night. But Prichard liked to tell people that fairies had done the work! This became a local legend.
Potter's Research and Details
Even though the real tailor was a young man, Potter made her character an "old man in spectacles." The story also takes place in the 1700s.
Potter drew many sketches for her book. She drew the street where the tailor's shop was. She also sketched inside old cottages. She even drew old dishes and furniture. To make her drawings of 18th-century clothes perfect, she visited the costume department at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Potter first printed the story herself in December 1902. She gave copies to her family and friends. Later, her publisher made some changes. They cut out some parts of the text and pictures.
Other Versions of the Story
TV Shows and Movies
- In 1988, a company called Rabbit Ears Productions made an audio version. It had Meryl Streep narrating the story.
- In 1989, a live-action TV show was made. Ian Holm played the tailor.
- In 1993, the story became an animated episode. It was part of the BBC series The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends. Ian Holm again voiced the tailor.
Images for kids
-
Beatrix Potter studied old clothes to make her drawings accurate.
See also
In Spanish: El sastre de Gloucester para niños
