The Tale of Ginger and Pickles facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Beatrix Potter |
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| Illustrator | Beatrix Potter |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Frederick Warne & Co. |
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Publication date
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1909 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Preceded by | The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies |
| Followed by | The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse |
The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (first called Ginger and Pickles) is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. It was first published in 1909. The story is about two shopkeepers who let their customers buy things without paying right away. Because of this, they run out of money and have to close their shop. Beatrix Potter filled the book with characters from her other popular stories.
Contents
About the Author: Beatrix Potter
Helen Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866, in London, England. Her family was wealthy. Beatrix loved to read, paint, and draw. She also kept many small animals like rabbits, birds, and lizards as pets.
Beatrix's Inspiration
During summer holidays, Beatrix visited places like Scotland and the Lake District. These trips helped her love and observe nature. She grew up to be a talented artist and writer.
In 1893, when Beatrix was 27, she sent a story about a naughty rabbit to the son of her old teacher. She kept sending similar letters to him and his siblings. Her former teacher saw how good these stories were and told Beatrix to publish them.
Beatrix turned her 1893 letter into The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She designed it like other small, popular children's books of the time.
Publishing Her Books
A publishing company called Frederick Warne & Co. wanted to publish children's books. They decided to publish Peter Rabbit because a famous children's artist liked it a lot. The Tale of Peter Rabbit became very successful when it was published in October 1902.
Beatrix Potter bought a farm called Hill Top in the Lake District in 1905. She used money from her book sales and a small inheritance. This farm became her second home and a place where she could create art. Many of her later stories and drawings were inspired by the farm and the nearby villages.
The Story of Ginger and Pickles
Ginger and Pickles was inspired by a real shop in a village called Sawrey. Villagers would go there to buy things, chat, and share news.
Characters in the Story
The book is dedicated to John Taylor, a shop owner and blacksmith who was sick in bed. He wanted to be in a Beatrix Potter book. Beatrix made him the character John Dormouse. Sadly, he passed away before he could see the book.
Ginger, a yellow cat, was based on a real cat named Tommy Bunkle. Beatrix thought the cat's color was special. She didn't want to put clothes on him in the book, but she knew her readers liked animals in clothes. So, she did, but she refused to put trousers on him!
The Shop's Troubles
Ginger, a cat, and Pickles, a dog, own a village shop. They sell many things, like handkerchiefs, sugar, and boots. Ginger scares the mouse customers, and Pickles scares the rabbit customers.
The problem is that Ginger and Pickles let everyone buy things on credit, meaning customers don't pay right away. Because no one ever pays, their cash register stays empty. Soon, the shopkeepers have to eat their own goods because they have no money.
Pickles is also worried because he can't afford a dog license. He is afraid of the policeman. Ginger and Pickles look at their records and realize their customers will never pay them back. When the policeman comes to collect taxes, Ginger and Pickles decide to close their shop. This causes a lot of trouble for the villagers.
After the Shop Closes
After closing the shop, Ginger lives comfortably in a warren (a rabbit burrow) and sets traps. Pickles becomes a gamekeeper, chasing rabbits.
In the end of the story, Tabitha Twitchit, who owns the only other shop in the village, takes advantage of the situation. She raises her prices and refuses to give credit. Mr. John Dormouse and his daughter Miss Dormouse start selling peppermints and candles. But their candles melt easily in warm weather, and Miss Dormouse won't take them back.
Finally, Sally Henny-penny announces that she will reopen the shop. The villagers are very happy and rush to the shop on its first day. Sally gets a bit confused counting change and insists on being paid in cash. But she offers many bargains, which makes everyone delighted.
Beatrix Potter included many familiar characters from her other books, like Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Samuel Whiskers, and Peter Rabbit. This was a smart way to link her stories together. It also made readers wonder if Ginger and Pickles, who are predators, would control their instincts long enough to sell things to their natural prey.
The Book's Pictures
Beatrix Potter's drawings were influenced by artists who paid close attention to nature. She also liked the style of children's book illustrators who made small, detailed pictures.
Potter once said that her original sketches were often better than the copies she had to make for her books. She wished the original drawings could be used directly for publishing.
Images for kids
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First edition cover
See also
In Spanish: El cuento de Jengibre y Pepinillos para niños
