The Tale of Peter Rabbit follows the mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit as he is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He hides in a watering can in a shed, sneaks past a cat, and loses his jacket and shoes. Peter escapes and returns home to his mother who puts him to bed after dosing him with camomile tea.

The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter’s former governess Annie Carter Moore, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter in 1901 after several publishers’ rejections, until it was published in 1902. The book was a success, has been translated into 36 languages, and with 45 million copies sold it is one of the best-selling books of all time.

This edition is limited to 1,000 copies.

The quintessential cautionary tale, Peter Rabbit warns naughty children about the grave consequences of misbehaving. When Mrs. Rabbit beseeches her four furry children not to go into Mr. McGregor’s garden, the impish Peter naturally takes this as an open invitation to create mischief. He quickly gets in over his head, when he is spotted by farmer McGregor himself. Any child with a spark of sass will find Peter’s adventures remarkably familiar. And they’ll see in Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail that bane of their existence: the “good” sibling who always does the right thing. One earns bread and milk and blackberries for supper, while the obstinate folly of the other warrants medicine and an early bedtime.

Beatrix Potter’s animal stories have been a joy to generations of young readers. Her warm, playful illustrations in soft colors invite children into the world of words and flights of fancy. Once there, she gently and humorously guides readers along the path of righteousness, leaving just enough room for children to wonder if that incorrigible Peter will be back in McGregor’s garden tomorrow. (Ages Baby to Preschool)