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Peter Rabbit Tales: Starting School
Peter Rabbit has a new bag, new pencil and is ready for his first lesson! In this perfect book for little ones starting at school or nursery, Peter is excited to start forest school with Benjamin Bunny. They can't wait to learn all about the woodland they live in with Mr. Jeremy Fisher.But when Peter learns that his sisters won't be there, the little bunny gets nervous. Luckily Mrs. Rabbit is there to reassure him and hold his paw on the first day.With new, humorous illustrations of Beatrix Potter's well-loved characters, this reassuring tale is the perfect book to help children prepare for their first days at school or nursery.Other titles in the series Hops AboardThree Little BunniesGoodnight PeterHappy Birthday!A Spring SurpriseA Christmas WishA Pumpkin for Peter
- GenresPicture Books
16 pages, Board Book
Published August 5, 2021
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,255 books2,167 followersHelen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, mycologist, and conservationist who is best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.
Born into a wealthy household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Because she was a woman, her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology.
In her thirties, Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding.
Potter eventually published 24 children's books, the most recent being The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (2016), and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time.
In her forties, she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943 and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.
Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films, and in animation.
Born into a wealthy household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Because she was a woman, her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology.
In her thirties, Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding.
Potter eventually published 24 children's books, the most recent being The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (2016), and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time.
In her forties, she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943 and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.
Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films, and in animation.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 12, 2026
"Please can I go to forest school?" Peter asked.Mr. Jeremy Fisher is starting a school for all the forest animals and Peter cannot wait to join.
.. Mrs. Rabbit laughed. "Of course you can, my darling, It sounds like great fun."
He immediately begins planning what to bring to school, but when he tells Mrs. Rabbit that his younger sisters will need the same items, Mrs. Rabbit tells him some devastating news.
Poor Peter Rabbit isn't sure what to do. He still wants to try school but can school be fun without his sisters? What happens if he gets lonely? Or scared? Luckily, Mrs. Rabbit knows what to do.
"Your sisters are too little to go to forest school. It's just for big bunnies like you."
Peter's whiskers drooped.
Ahhh, this was such a cute board book all about the exciting (and sometimes scary) feelings associated with starting school for the first time.
I really liked how this book showed Peter Rabbit feeling all those big emotions - starting school for the first time IS a really big deal, especially for a little one who has spent their entire life with their parent.
I also rather appreciated Mrs. Rabbit's calm reaction and soothing words about how starting school is a big deal but it also allows for many new beginnings.
The art (as always) was freaking adorable. I will always LOVE the old style of Peter Rabbit, but the new version is also working really well for me. Such calm, soothing images with an amazing color palette. LOVE it!!
September 7, 2023
It is a delightful book that serves as an excellent introduction for young children who are about to or have recently started school. Following the beloved Peter Rabbit, the story explores the emotions, preparations, and new experiences that come with this big milestone. It’s a comforting and relatable read for both parents and children.
Few tips for Teachers and Parents to Get the Most Out of the Book:
🐰Pre-Reading Chat: Before reading, discuss what the child expects from school, their feelings, and any concerns they might have.
🐰Interactive Reading: Pause at various points in the story to ask questions like, "How do you think Peter is feeling?" or "What would you do if you were Peter?"
🐰Discuss Emotions: Use Peter’s experiences to talk about different emotions like excitement, nervousness, or even fear, associated with starting school.
🐰Compare Experiences: After reading, ask your child to talk about how their experience is similar to or different from Peter Rabbit's.
🐰School Tour: Use the book as a segue to take a little tour of the school before the first day, just like Peter did, to familiarize your child with the new environment.
🐰Role Play: Engage in role-playing exercises where you and your child take turns being the teacher and the student.
🐰Art Activity: Have children draw or craft their own interpretation of a school day, inspired by Peter's adventures.
🐰Routine Building: Use the book to discuss the importance of routines like packing a school bag, getting dressed, and having breakfast, just like Peter Rabbit does.
🐰Vocabulary Building: Highlight new words or concepts in the book and discuss their meanings.
🐰Follow-Up Story Time: Consider reading the book at regular intervals, especially as the first day of school approaches or even after school has started, to reinforce its themes and comfort your child.
Few tips for Teachers and Parents to Get the Most Out of the Book:
🐰Pre-Reading Chat: Before reading, discuss what the child expects from school, their feelings, and any concerns they might have.
🐰Interactive Reading: Pause at various points in the story to ask questions like, "How do you think Peter is feeling?" or "What would you do if you were Peter?"
🐰Discuss Emotions: Use Peter’s experiences to talk about different emotions like excitement, nervousness, or even fear, associated with starting school.
🐰Compare Experiences: After reading, ask your child to talk about how their experience is similar to or different from Peter Rabbit's.
🐰School Tour: Use the book as a segue to take a little tour of the school before the first day, just like Peter did, to familiarize your child with the new environment.
🐰Role Play: Engage in role-playing exercises where you and your child take turns being the teacher and the student.
🐰Art Activity: Have children draw or craft their own interpretation of a school day, inspired by Peter's adventures.
🐰Routine Building: Use the book to discuss the importance of routines like packing a school bag, getting dressed, and having breakfast, just like Peter Rabbit does.
🐰Vocabulary Building: Highlight new words or concepts in the book and discuss their meanings.
🐰Follow-Up Story Time: Consider reading the book at regular intervals, especially as the first day of school approaches or even after school has started, to reinforce its themes and comfort your child.
November 5, 2024
I bought this for my four-year-old great-niece as a first-day-at-school present. I gave it a read through because, as far as I can remember, I never read Peter Rabbit books as a child.
It's a charming tale and I'm sure I would've really liked it as a boy, so I've rated it four stars accordingly.
I love the names of Peter's three sisters: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail.
It's a charming tale and I'm sure I would've really liked it as a boy, so I've rated it four stars accordingly.
I love the names of Peter's three sisters: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews