What is the MN verdict on Beatrix Potter?

[LauraIngallsWilder]

I dont remember hearing or reading for myself more than one or two Beatrix stories as a kid - not part of my life for some reason although I was an avid reader.

Dd ds and I now adore books however, bookcases full of fantastic books. I collect books with great illustrations (some like handbags, shoes and makeup I like books!)

I cant decide therefore whether to get this set of all 23! for dd or not bother

Marvellous or awful - what is your verdict?

[jkklpu]

Certainly don't think they're awful and the pictures are lovely. Some of the language is quite hard for wee kids though good for them to be exposed to, for that reason. Mine always seem to like best the ones I find most tedious, but there are several phrases that have become family sayings almost and they're certainly great for illustrating certain aspects of the animal kingdom, eg which animals eat which.
Before buying the lot, why don't you borrow a couple from the library and see how they go down?

[jkklpu]

PS Love your MNname: she was my all-time favourite writer for the whole of my childhood.

[RustyBear]

I loved them, so did both my DC. I particularly like the fact that they use more complicated words than most books for little children - I learned very early from Beatrix Potter what 'soporific' meant.

[LauraIngallsWilder]

I was inspired by this thread

[LauraIngallsWilder]

Oh yes soporific - a truly marvellous word

jkklpu - Im glad you like my mn name
I didnt discover her until I was an adult though! The box set of books is also on my wish list

I will get a couple of BP books from the library on monday

Im still keen to know the general MN verdict though

[purepurple]

DD has this very same set, bought by me for her birthday several years ago. She is now 13 and still loves them. She still reads Lewis Carrol too, and Roald Dahl. Sometimes you just can't beat the oldies.

[LauraIngallsWilder]

Temptation is now giving way to deffo purchase

DD is 5 and loves little books

[Aranea]

Oh yes, do it. I bought a complete set on a similar cheapy offer for dd1 and they have been big favourites ever since she was tiny. I like the fact that the language is more demanding, and the illustrations are beautiful. And I remember as a child loving the feel of the little books.

[JoeyBettany]

They're lovely to read aloud, ds loved Samuel Whiskers from the age of about 3, deliciously scary and funny too, the kitten being made into a roly poly pudding!

I bought the animated version too, here's
link

really well done, extremely close to the books and nice to have on in the background of an afternoon

[deepdarkwood]

Love them

We have the box set. Have to admit that the dcs have a few favourites, and we don't often venture outside them, but I love having the full set on the shelves

[cookielove]

get it, it is fab

[RustyBear]

We had the set in our Book People box at work last week - I really wanted to get it for someone, but I don't have any small people in my life at the moment.

[shockers]

Hehe rustybear my kids, when introducing the rabbit to visitors will tell them that you don't give rabbits lettuce because of it's soporific effect!
I can also remember 35 yrs ago being the only class member to know what 'goloshes' were, courtesy (aged 8) of Mr Jeremy Fisher.

The thing about Beatrix Potter is that she didn't write books to make a fast buck. She was clearly fascinated by animal behaviours and wove human interpretation into her observation. Her illustrations are beautiful and accurate... I was brought up in the Lake District ( and am working my way back there... only 50 miles to go!)
I often look at my cat, rabbit and the wild animals we see near to, and in our garden and am reminded instantly of her books.
I look at her books and am reminded instantly of my childhood in the Lakes.

I still have my little wooden bookshelf and complete set of books from my childhood but my mum used to but 2 each birthday and 2 each Christmas... I looked forward to them. I'm not sure if getting them all at once would have been the same... like getting a whole TV series or set of films at the same time.

I would definately order them but keep them back and give in stages so your children are not overwhelmed and can really enjoy each book as it comes. Especially if you give them the first couple with the box, knowing that it needs to be filled.

[LauraIngallsWilder]

Awwwwww shockers that is a gorgeous idea, dd would love that

4 each year will take 6 years before she gets them all!
I think Ill give her 3every birthday and christmas - then it will only be 4 years!

Ooooh the suspense of waiting

I will definately get her them..........

Not one person on this thread who dislikes Beatrix, how lovely

[Purplebuns]

I love them, I also have the dvds of the tv series. A bit of a must buy, they are gorgeous books, perfect size for little hands.

[mrsjuan]

I've just bought that set after being tempted by the same thing for more than 3 times the price in the Lake District this summer.

My favourites as a child were the tale of Samuel Whiskers, Mrs Tiggywinkle and the Tailor of Gloucester.

[nevergoogledragonbutter]

I don't like them!

i find the beatings that the naughty mice or whatever get doesn't help my kids relax before bed. i tried to read them but had to skip pages so they wouldn't have nightmares.

[LauraIngallsWilder]

beatings!
The mice get beaten

Nobody up until now mentioned beating!

[nevergoogledragonbutter]

i don't remember if it was a mouse or a rabbit. it was furry anyhow and wearing clothes like a thing of nightmares.

the were beaten with a 'switch' iirc.

[JoeyBettany]

Tom Kitten had a smack and was sent to bed for ruining his clothes

my ds must be less sensitive than your dcs , he always laughed his head off at the pictures!

[JumeirahJane]

I definitely had my favourites - Mrs Tiggywinkle, Jemima Puddleduck, Jeremy Fisher, and Peter Rabbit, but found (as a child) the Pie and the Patty Pan confusing, Timmy Tiptoes repetitive, and Samuel Whiskers way too sinister.
But for that price for the whole set, you can't argue really.

[shockers]

There is a 'dark' side to some of them. I found that different books appealed to me as I got older.
A lot of children's stories were very dark in the past... I'm thinking Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Pinocchio etc.

[teafortwo]

In our house we are passionate about Miss Potter!!!!

My dd loves her books, the ballet and the film "Miss Potter"... she is three. We even listened to the radio 4 documentary on her!

I think tbh, she doesn't understand all the stories yet and fell asleep during the radio four show, but because of the high quality painting and delightful use of language, it is something we can really enjoy together. Dds favourites at the moment are Mr Jeremy Fisher, Peter Rabbit and the nursery rhyme ones.

I pondered over buying that box and DIDN'T. I am glad because we do something 100x better IMHO it is this:

DD collects Beatrix Potter books. If she is a particularly good girl or something significant happens in her life (e.g starting pre-school), her God Mother or Great Nan has handed her some money 'just because', or there is a sort of celebration of somekind (e.g she, much to our delight, got a new cousin a few weeks ago) dd gets to have a new Beatrix Potter book and sometimes a matching toy so she can act out the story. It really is a fun thing to do!

Recently with dd my Father read Peter Rabbit for the first time in his life. "It really is quite a thriller" he whispered with a gasp!