Beatrix Potter is one of the most well loved children’s authors with so many great characters who have stood the test of time. This year, we’re celebrating 150 years of Beatrix Potter! Many characters like Peter Rabbit are just as popular and beloved as ever, and it’s so lovely to see how these characters live on throughout the generations.
To celebrate this anniversary, we’re taking part in the Beatrix150 blog tour and will be sharing some of our own Beatrix Potter memories with you, as well as offering one lucky winner the chance to win a gorgeous Peter Rabbit baby bundle of prizes.
Although characters like Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck are household names, few people are aware of the fascinating woman that Beatrix was or the achievements she made in her lifetime, during an era when ambitious women were not allowed to flourish. An artist, storyteller, botanist, environmentalist, farmer and businesswoman, Potter was a visionary and a trailblazer. 150 years after her birth, we are celebrating the incredible life she led and the achievements she accomplished, many of which were unrecognised during her lifetime.
25 Fascinating Facts about Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit
- Beatrix Potter privately printed the first edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- Peter Rabbit is the oldest licensed character in the world! Beatrix Potter registered him at the Patent Office in December 1903, after overseeing the creation of the first Peter Rabbit doll.
- Later in life Beatrix Potter became an award-winning sheep-farmer
- One Beatrix Potter book is sold somewhere in the world every 15 seconds!
- You can visit Beatrix Potter’s house, Hill Top, in the Lake District which is managed by the National Trust
- Peter Rabbit’s favourite food is radishes, not carrots like other bunnies
- Beatrix Potter kept a journal written in a secret code which was only cracked in 1958
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit has been translated into over 45 languages including a hieroglyphic edition
- Peter Rabbit was based on a real rabbit kept by Beatrix Potter. She wrote that he was very good at tricks and that his temper was unfailingly sweet
- When Beatrix first wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit, she sent the manuscript to six publishers, and received six rejections
- In 1941, a whole print-run of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was lost in the bombing of London
- Beatrix was a keen letter-writer and would send picture letters to her young fans using miniature mail bags and a tiny tin post box
- In1921, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first printed in Braille
- In 2002 a new edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published with 6 extra illustrations which had been left out of previous editions
- In 1936, Beatrix Potter turned down an offer by Walt Disney to turn Peter Rabbit into a film.
- Peter Rabbit visited Buckingham Palace for a Party at the Palace, celebrating the Queen’s 80th birthday
- Thebooksareapublishingphenomenonwithlifetimeglobalsalesofover250millioncopies,45 million of which are The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit has never been out of print since it was first published
- Since Penguin Books acquired Frederick Warne in 1984 more than 150 million Beatrix PotterTM books have sold worldwide
- Over 2 million Beatrix PotterTM books are sold every year
- Peter Rabbit has appeared in books and products in more than 110 countries throughout the world
- Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor starred in a film about the life of Beatrix Potter, Miss Potter in 2007
- Beatrix Potter originally wrote the story of Peter Rabbit in a letter to her ex-governess’s son, Noel, to cheer him up when he was ill
- Some of Beatrix Potter’s most enthusiastic fans were American and so she included American chipmunks and a bear in The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes
- A Peter Rabbit tartan was commissioned to celebrate his visit to Scotland in the 24th tale, The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Emma Thompson
Peter Rabbit is well loved in our house. I have lots of fond memories of reading The Tale of a Naughty Little Rabbit many times while snuggling up on the sofa, as my eldest went through a phase were he wanted that book every day. I remember enjoying Peter Rabbit stories myself as a child so it’s always lovely when you can pass those familiar characters and tales down to your own children.
We’re also really looking forward to visiting the new Peter Rabbit adventure playground that will be opening locally in Willow’s Farm (near St Albans). With the new Peter Rabbit series that’s on CBeebies, this has introduced so many more little ones to the character of Peter Rabbit and I can see him going strong for many more years to come!
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter, we were sent some lovely Peter Rabbit goodies; this cute little soft toy Peter Rabbit from GUND and this yummy chocolate Peter Rabbit from Charbonnel et Walker which I’m sure the kids will enjoy eating over the Easter break!
And we also have a fantastic Peter Rabbit baby bundle to give away to one lucky follower. For your chance to win, enter via the Gleam widget below.
Peter Rabbit Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win this Peter Rabbit Baby Bundle consisting of the following items, worth approx £48.00:
From the Mothercare Peter Rabbit Baby Range – one Peter Rabbit Bodysuit valued at £8, one Hat and Mitt set valued at £8, one Grey Shawl at £22 as well as a set of Peter Rabbit Baby Milestone Cards from Puffin Books at £9.99.
This bundle would make a lovely gift for anyone with a new baby, and these beautiful classic items are perfect for either a boy or a girl.
Peter Rabbit Baby Bundle
Good luck!
Follow the blog tour tomorrow by popping over to What the Red Head Said to read her Beatrix Potter memories and enter another giveaway.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
I remember having several little Beatrix Potter books and a furry Peter Rabbit toy too when I was little! My favourite story was The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies!
as a 6/7 year old i used to try to read them to my baby brother, mainly making up stories to go with the pictures x
I had the books when i was younger and loved reading them, my favourite was Mrs Tiggywinkle
Ii don’t have any memories, I actually never read any when I was a child
My love for Peter Rabbit is 28 years long – and growing every day stronger as my kids learn to love him too
i remember playing flopsy the rabbit when i was five in the school play in 1976, and enjoyed the books from then on
I loved Peter Rabbit – that naughty little bunny. My dad used to garden and would forever be finding little dens I had made to protect Peter (just in case he came into our garden)
I had a Beatrix Potter collection, I recall learning cats cradle after reading about in in Benjamin Bunny
I used to have a lovely little peter rabbit plate set as a child I used to use it for every meal
We took my daughter to the lake district to see the Beatrix potter museum which she was little – it was great fun!
i used to go on primary school trips with school my mumm always chaperoned and always bought the books
I remember visiting the Tailor of Gloucester house museum in Gloucester it was a lovely day.
My mum used to read the stories to me at bedtime, so they always remind me of that 🙂
When I was 6 years old I was regularly read these books. Brings back so many memories.
Loved my mum reading these books to me, I always enjoyed looking at the pictures when she had finished.
I remember my mum reading me my first beatrix potter book as a child,id never been so ingrossed at bedtime xx
my mum use to read the books to me- now i read the books to my daughter x
I have grown up being called Jemima PuddleDuck. I always loved the Brer Rabbit books.
my son still has a Beatrix Potter book he had as a child and reads it to his son.
if i was ever ill, my dad made me milk and honey in my favourite peter rabbit cup
My children had these books and I have now bought them for my grandson, they are timeless.
Favourite book was Mrs Tiggywinkle – loved hedgehogs!
i remember growing up to my mum reading her stories before bed. Such magical stories, really set your imagination alive.
I recall having a Beatrix Potter children’s dinner set x
listening to my mum do the voices
I always love reading the stories to my twins when they were little. I would love to win this for my daughters best friend who is pregnant with her first baby and pass on the love of Peter Rabbit 🙂
I remember reading some battered copies of stories at my grandparents that my dad and his brothers will have read too. Cute.
My nan used to read me the Beatrix potter books when I stayed with her during the summer holidays 🙂 it was lovely 🙂
I had the books when I was younger and would love to sit on my bed and read them 🙂
we had the figurines and furry toys and my mum would read us the books
Loved reading the books when I was a child.
We had tea parties with Peter and his friends and even had real cake and biscuits but orange juice instead of tea
Used to be so much fun
I remember reading these books regularly when I was little. Brings back so many memories.
I remember having some of the books & a duvet cover set when I was a child
i loved Peter Rabbit when I was little, so did my son. I’m now pregnant with my 2nd child and i’m sure they will too 🙂
I remember reading them as a kid
I still have the complete collection we’ve passed them down to our beautiful babies <3
I had a lovely day out with my children in the lake district, visiting Beatrix Potter’s house. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
I loved reading about Peter Rabbit when I was little 🙂
My parents reading them to me as a child.
I remember looking at the Tale of Mrs Tiggy Winkle books and thinking she had the cosiest home id ever seen. It made me want to curl up and go to sleep
I remember sitting for hours reading peter rabbit books, love them.
My friend had all of the books and I was jealous.
I remember my Grandam buying me the Box Set of books for Easter one year. My children now enjoy my books
I had a little Peter Rabbit cup that I used to use for drinking water before bed – when I would brush my teeth my mum would read the quotes on it to me and it’s one of my fondest memories
A family friend brought the books for me as a child, I would spend hours reading and re-reading them. I still have the books that were given to me. I have now recently brought the books for a friends new baby.
My mum bought my daughter a set of Peter Rabbit books when my daughter was about 3, she still has them and her kids love reading them now x
My favorite was Jemima, i really enjoyed the stories as a child
Introducing my nephew to Beatrix Potter. I gave him my old Peter Rabbit book and he loves him now.
My Godmother used to buy me a Beatrix Potter book for every birthday and Christmas from when I was born, and date each one. I have them now and I’m 40!
Bedtime reading with mum
I remember my mother taking me to the museum for my 8th birthday and she bought me a peter rabbit purse, I cherished that purse and was so heartbroken when I lost it
I used to love Beatrix potter books when I was little, I still have my box of little books from when I was little and now i read them to my little girl. We enjoy watching peter rabbit on tv too 🙂
My grandmother used to read the books to me and add her own bits in…a tradition I’ve kept up!
I don’t have any, but read and watch DVDs with grandchildren now
my nan read it to me, i read it to my daughter, and now my daughter reads it to my grandaughter x
Going to the library to borrow the books
my mum always read Beatrix potter to me
My daughter taken her Peter rabbit security blanket everywhere
Going to the library and reading Jemima Puddleduck with my Mum 🙂
My mum collects the little figurines, so i grew up surrounded by them as a child, now im older, i buy her a little figure to add to her collection every christmas
I remember my granddad reading me the stories when I was a little girl on a visit. I loved him doing that and always looked forward to going again.
I remember having the old style hardback books and reading the Jemima Puddleduck one, it had beautiful pictures x
My ‘blankie’ as a little girl had a Peter Rabbit design and I loved it so much. I imagined each colour had it’s own scent – yellow was lemon, green was mint….it gave me a lot of comfort; very happy memories.
reading the books at bedtime
Bedtime stories by mum 🙂
I had golden edged peter rabbit books 🙂
Reading the stories as a child
I still have all the original story books from when I was small in the 50s/60s. I now read them (very carefully – they’re quite fragile) to my little granddaughters who love them as much as me.
The excitement of reading the book for the first time
I had 3 Beatrix Potter books growing up – Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jemima Puddle Duck. They were some of my favourite books.
I used to have a Mrs Tiggywinkle tea set I always played with as a child, it was my fave!
I used to love reading Peter Rabbit when I was a child. Lovely books x
I had a collection of books they were all little hard backs and remember the bed time stories
my kids loved those books
We used to have all the Beatrix Potter books and a little Peter Rabbit softie. We read all the books countless times. would love to do the same again for my friends baby. Timeless.
I’m now a 56 year old grandma but can still remember my mum reading Beatrix Potter books to me when I was a child.I loved Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs Tiggywinkle best of all and now,I find I’m reading these books to my grandchildren passing the joy to the next generation x
my favourite book was the tale of Samuel whiskers i read it so many times
I just loved cuddling up to my children and reading the stories. They’re now grown up I’ve got such happy memories
My Peter Rabbit book was the first book I can ever remember having as a young child. The first of a lifetime of my love of books.
I still have the books from when I was little 🙂
these were always my favourite bed time reading books as a child and i do still have them which the eldest have read and i am reading to the little one x
My children when they were little had Peter Rabbit sets cutlery,bowl ,plate and cup which they adored one has even managed to keep hers safe even now.I also used to read the stories to them which they loved now I read them to my grandchildren and they love them too 🙂
I had a Peter rabbit plate as a child – I love it.
I use to watch the films with my children and read them stories they loved them all
We used to read Beatrix Potter every night before bed, we had mini books 🙂
I loved reading Beatrix Potter to my girl 🙂
I really enjoyed the sroties when I was young and I loved the illustrations as well
I used to read all Beatrix Potter to my sons. I love the drawings and & the stories.
I took my children to visit the Beatrix Potter museum in the Lake District and it was a highlight of our trip there. It brought back so many happy memories for me of reading the books when I was a child
Sure I had a dish and cup set when I was very little
My gran used to tell me stories about Peter Rabbit that she had made up as we didn’t have the books. Then one day she bought them for me and read them over and over until she knew them by heart x
getting mini box set when i was 10 years old
Reading tales of Peter rabbit with my nanny xxx
We had the Peter Rabbit books when we were growing up – I always loved Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
Loved my dad reading me the stories and making up voices for all the characters!
My mum used to read the stories to me and when I was older and got a pet dog I called it Jemima puddle duck. I loved all the peter rabbit stories. Beatrix potter stories are fantastic
my mum read me beatrix potter as a child , i still own the whole collection which my mum read to me which i will read to my baby boy due in July
My mum used to read me the books
I remember reading a story about jemima puddleduck when i was a little girl
use to watch it as a kid snuggled up on sofa now my son and I do the same xx
my great-grandma knitted me a peter rabbit complete with little blue jacket when i was a baby … I( still have it now im 32) x
Seeing the faces on my children as we stood watching real rabbits at Hill Top Farm and remembering what an effect Beatrix Potter had on me as I also lived in the countryside and loved the wildlife which mostly were known by the names we had given them. Then on to
Grasmere for Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread and of course to buy the children a Peter Rabbit from the wonderful array.
Regards TERRAD