World of Beatrix Potter

by Beatrix Potter

A popular Potter favorite is available again in a handsome new package. The carrying case comes complete with a handle, and buckle closure, and has the smart new design celebrating 100 years of Peter Rabbit. Books inside include titles such as "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," "The Tale of Tom Kitten," and "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck," Now being re-issued because of high demand, this is a great way to start a Potter library.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0723248478
• ISBN13: 9780723248477
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Frederick Warne and Company

Customer Reviews

Just as I'd remembered them

When I was a young child we had many (all?) of the Beatrix Potter books. My favorite was the gruesomely fascinating story of the cat (naughty, of course) who was rolled up in pie dough by a rat family, narrowly escaping being served as dinner. As to content, I suppose the stories do tend to be a bit drastic in their portrayal of the inevitable consequences of naughtiness, maybe a little old-fashioned. On the other hand, if the conjuring of rats dressed as people administering justice to naughty cats dressed as people helps shape my son's understanding of the expedience of obedience, about choice and consequence, so be it; my direct admonishments (lectures?) certainly seem to bounce off his mighty 3-year-old teflon shield. And it beats telling him that the police are going to come get him, which is a favorite threat to children here in Germany (Go figure! Scary!!). Then again, perhaps I've got it all wrong, and the books were meant actually to celebrate mischief. Anyway, these have the old, familiar dark green cover under protective book jackets, with pages of thick, shiny, resilient paper. Great illustrations, no dumbed-down language. The box is also really nice. My three-year-old boy is captivated by them. This box set is of heirloom quality, I'd say. Nice gift (thanks, Grammy)!

aesthetic integrity

By printing each tale as a separate book, this boxed series presents Potter's tales in the form they were originally published. The format allows each story to unfold with a deliberate pace, as the turning of each page reveals a fresh illustration alongside a few sparse lines of text. In contrast, a so-called "complete tales of" volume I looked at totally destroyed the aesthetic integrity of Potter's work by squeezing entire stories into 2 or 3 11" x 8" pages. Furthermore, the illustrations no longer followed the storyline in a linear fashion but instead looked like haphazard afterthoughts. I would recommend this series for preserving that almost undefinable "charm" of the originals.

Family Treasure

My children grew up reading these beautiful little books. Our set is identical to the one pictured, only we bought ours in the early 90s. Now with one in college and one who is a "punk rocker" I can *still* get them both to curl up with me and read Tom Kitten or Jemima PuddleDuck or The Roly-Poly Pudding or their favorite...Ginger and Pickles. Amazing, but true. Both my kids treasure this collection in its lovely case and the set was a very wise purchase. After all, stories like this keep your kids close to you, it is almost a ritual, and a good thing! Other editions of these stories are fine, but there is something about the little books and the special case that creates a sort of magic. Well worth the expense...I *promise.*

Tales That Span Generations...

This Peter Rabbit collection is a tiny world of parables, stories and lessons for children and adults of all ages. The beauty of the books is greatly enhanced by their encapsulation in a darling box, and they are just the right size for small hands to look through and admire. The simple pictures tell the story even without words! They are a wonderful addition for the bookshelf of your child, and the lessons they teach are most appropriate today- in a world where trouble exists and ethics are compromised.

A must have for a child's library.

This lovely boxed set of Potter stories, individually bound in the size prescribed by the author herself, suitable for little hands, is a treasure to have. The presentation box makes them easy to keep together as a set. The collection makes a wonderful baby gift for someone special!