Customer Reviews
Beatrix Potter's First Farmhouse Outing - By: chatvarin, 12 Jun 2008 
Written a year after Beatrix Potter came into ownership of Hill Top, her first farmin the Lake District, "Tom Kitten" introduces the Hill Top setting that would become a staplein subsequent books. Not much is shown of this idyllic world yet, but the first glimpse is an enticing one!
In my opinion, Tom Litten & his sisters are the most darling characters that Beatrix Potter ever drew. Of all her characters, none looks so adorable as the kittens - with "dear little fur coats of their own" - & so balancedin their anthromorphed & human-attired appearances. The story is reminiscent of "Peter Rabbit", with a "very naughty" child protagonistin his mischievous way but minus the danger posed by Mr. MacGregor. In spite of the resemblance, "Tom Kitten" is much gentler than "Peter Rabbit" "Squireel Nutkin" & "Benjamin Bunny". The farmhouse & the Lake world offers perfect peace that is ruffled only by playful childishness. Every child - & many an adult! - surely can identify with Tom Kitten as his mother takes "all sort of elegant uncomfortable clothes out of a chase of drawers" to dress him up for "the dignity & repose of the tea-party".
Spellbinding Stories for Young Children - By: J. Chippindale, 13 May 2007 The Tale of Peter Rabbit was writtenin 1900 & has stood the test of time very well. Generations of children have loved the story of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin & Jemima Puddle-Duck among others & treasured the books of Beatrix Potter. It is up there among the greats of children's literature with Windin the Willows, The Water Babies, Peter Pan, Treasure Island & many others.
In these days of computer games & electronic toys of one kind or another, books sadly are sometimes not as high on the list as they were a few years ago, perhaps that is why literacyin schools is not all that it could be. Personally as a child books were always my first love & Christmas would not have been the same without a Rupert annual.
Stories that involve animals as the main charactersin books always seem to fascinate young children & Peter Rabbit has always been up there with the best. Next time you have to buy a present for a child, or even want to treat one of your younger grandchildren for no particular reason. Instead of looking for the latest DVD why not buy them a book. Peter Rabbit is a good one to start with.
