The Tale of Peter Rabbit

illustrated Beatrix Potter

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter ... This are the first words of one of the most famous and most successful children''s books of all times. Beatrix Potter wrote and published it first privately in 1901, since the idea has been turned down by six commercial publishers. One year later finally, an editor discovered the great talent. Having seen a copy, Frederick Warne decided to publish Peter Rabbit, and within a year he already had to produce six editions to meet demand. This was the start of the most successful children''s book series of all times.

Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943), the remarkable English author, illustrator, and natural scientist, is best known for her children books. But besides that she had many positive influences on others: With the money earned through her books, she protected endangered animals, she bought and restored many farms in the Lake District, and helped the (English) National Trust to preserve nature and the beauty of the landscape. In 2006, a film about her life ("Miss Potter", Title role: Renée Zellweger) came out.