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| The World Of Peter Rabbit, The Complete Collection of Original Tales 1-23 |
Sigh.
A wistful desire to return to a former time in one's life.
Deeeeeeep sigh.
We are all holding back the years.
Holding back the smell of mom's home-made donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar. Pushing back the memory of a chest full of kid's magazines that were bound together to keep them from falling apart.
Everyone has childhood scenes stacked in their mind, all of which define nostalgia much better than any dictionary.
Is there any common unit to measure nostalgia?
Maybe not, but I am certain that if our collective childhood memories were distilled, the end product would invariably be .... Beatrix Potter.
And a certain Peter Rabbit.
And a certain Peter Rabbit.
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| Peter Rabbit |
After my twins were born in July 2007, I became aware that I simply must provide them with the greatest books I can - in our home environment.
Why build a home library for kids anyway?
Interestingly enough, these days literacy concerns per se should not be top of your list. Although this is critically important.
Entrance criteria and tests for high schools or college should not be the primary concern for parents.
The real reason why I started buying children's books?
To create a safe, book-rich haven in our home.
Just that.
I was afraid that my kids might lose sight of themselves in the jungle of life and technology that surrounds them.
A home library is a place of refuge. A place for independent and free contemplation.
To create a safe, book-rich haven in our home.
Just that.
I was afraid that my kids might lose sight of themselves in the jungle of life and technology that surrounds them.
A home library is a place of refuge. A place for independent and free contemplation.
The more I think of today's world, the more I see a need for stability for kids.
Kids need a mooring point. There are too many challenges and attractions.
There is too little opportunity to unwind, relax and read.
There is too little opportunity to unwind, relax and read.
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| Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter |
Parents should help kids to discover a place - in their own homes - where they can be themselves, but where they are not passive and where they can also maintain independence.
Is there a better place to grow a soul than a home library?
One's own library.
But even if you do not find this important, do not forget that recent comprehensive studies have found that home libraries provide huge educational advantages to kids.
“Regardless of how many books the family already has, each addition to a home library helps the children get a little farther in school,” the study reports.
So, when you buy that next children's book - push away those feelings of guilt.
You are investing in your kid.
So .... back in the days when I was thinking of a home library - my first thoughts went out to Beatrix Potter.
But even if you do not find this important, do not forget that recent comprehensive studies have found that home libraries provide huge educational advantages to kids.
“Regardless of how many books the family already has, each addition to a home library helps the children get a little farther in school,” the study reports.
So, when you buy that next children's book - push away those feelings of guilt.
You are investing in your kid.
So .... back in the days when I was thinking of a home library - my first thoughts went out to Beatrix Potter.
I never could forget a collection of lovely 23 individual books of the original tales by Beatrix Potter that my brother and I had while growing up.
Those Beatrix Potter books were perfect in their size, so reassuring and beautiful. Incredibly enjoyable to read.
The perfect size for little hands.
Fast forward 30 years.
One of my first purchases for the home library for my twins was a special Presentation Box containing The World of Peter Rabbit - The Original Collection (Books 1-23).
This collection numbers a total of 1072 pages of Beatrix Potter stories, all in their original and authorized versions.
If there is a version of Beatrix Potter that you are seeking to enrich your home library, look no further.
Beatrix Potter's stories are an incredible imagination booster and smashing read alouds. The language is so rich and every tale you read is an incredibly rewarding experience for both listener and reader.
From my experience, a small number of the tales have somewhat darker plot elements, so be sure to read the stories beforehand if you have very very young kids.
My twins were afraid of Mr. McGregor (The Tale of Peter Rabbit) for months, so we had to skip Beatrix Potter for a while until Mr. McGregor became less of a threat.
Beatrix Potter's language is magical and it is entrancing for kids. Combined with her rich illustrations - the books are irresistible for kids. These small books have the optimal ratio of text to pictures.
While the story of Peter Rabbit is so universally well known, many of the others are not so widely known.
This 23-book set is the definite presentation of Peter Rabbit's adventures, Squirrel Nutkin's incredible tale (tail!) and the cute (yes, indeed) yarns of naughty litle Tom Kitten.
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| Tom Kitten |
These are 100-year old stories and what stands out in all of them - apart from the beatiful watercolors - is the incredibly rich vocabulary of a time when man used to live closer to nature.
The quality of this collection of 23 small books, perfectly sized for little hands, is amazing. The book case that holds the 23 books is sturdy and beautiful, its a keepsake.
The rich vocabulary may seem to be a bit complicated for some, but the more you read you will notice how every story becomes more enjoyable - and your kids' comprehension will steadily improve.
These are stories and books that are built to last, which together with the sturdy presentation box consists an offer that should not be missed.
As regards the contents of the presentation box, here is the full list of the books that are included:
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)
- The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903)
- The Tailor of Gloucester (1903)
- The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)
- The Tale of Two Bad Mice (1904)
- The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905)
- The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)
- The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1906)
- The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit (1906)
- The Story of Miss Moppet (1906)
- The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)
- The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)
- The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or, The Roly-Poly Pudding (1908)
- The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)
- The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (1909)
- The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse (1910)
- The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes (1911)
- The Tale of Mr. Tod (1912)
- The Tale of Pigling Bland (1913)
- Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes (1917)
- The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (1918)
- Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes (1922)
- The Tale of Little Pig Robinson (1930)
Challenge yourself to enjoy a Beatrix Potter year with your kids - and they will never forget it.
The World Of Peter Rabbit, The Complete Collection is available from booksellers in the US:
Amazon
The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping)
and from other countries:
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Amazon DE
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