Peter Rabbit Returns for Potter’s 150th Birthday

“Once upon a time there was a serious, well-behaved young black cat, it belonged to a kind old lady who assured me that no other cat could compare with Kitty.” Thus begins the newly discovered children’s story by renowned British author Beatrix Potter. Now, Penguin Random House has announced the story, which was written over a century ago, will be published in September, 2016, in conjunction with celebrations being planned to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of Potter’s birth.

‘The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots’ tells the story of a cat who’s leading a double life. Jo Hanks, a publisher with Penguin Random House, discovered the 1914 manuscript two years ago after he came across a mention of it in an obscure literary history of Potter which sent him to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and knee-deep into the Potter archives.

It appears the author was intending to publish the story; she had written and revised it twice, and after rewriting it for a third time she had it typeset. The author had even begun the process of laying out a proof dummy. The only thing left were the illustrations.

Then life interrupted her; World War I started, a new marriage and a new farming business among her distractions. Whatever the reason, she never completed the manuscript, which has been described as possibly her best work – filled with humor, rebellious characters and even a couple of intriguing villains. Some old favorites also make an appearance; Peter Rabbit of course, although older, and everyone’s favorite hedgehog: Mrs Tiggywinkle.

The author had completed just one drawing to accompany the story, so Quentin Blake, who provided the illustrations for Roald Dahl’s books, has been selected to complete the illustrations for The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots.

‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, which follows the escapades of the mischievous young Peter Rabbit as he’s chased through Mr. Gregory’s garden, (to eventually return to his mother and chamomile tea) was both written and illustrated by Beatrice Potter in 1893. She wrote the story for the young son of a previous governess, but later revised and published it herself in 1902 after the manuscript was rejected by several publishing houses. The rest, as they say, is history.

After Peter the Rabbit, Potter went on to write around 30 more books, with the 24 children’s stories being the best known. She was acutely interested in the land around the Lake District where her farm was located, and was involved in preserving a great deal of the land which makes up the Lake District National Park. After her death at the age of 77, practically all of her estate was bequeathed to the National Trust.

Other events marking the anniversary of Potter’s birthday include the first annual National Trust book festival, guided tours through the Lake District countryside including Hillside Farm (Potter’s much loved home), and original art exhibitions. Additionally, the Royal Mint will produce a 50 pence coin designed especially for the event. It will be a seven-sided coin, bearing a representation of Peter Rabbit.

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