What is the MN verdict on Beatrix Potter?

boiledegg my mum had a special voice for that line that still gives me the shivers

I had the box set of BP and loved them

I was an over-sensitive child

DD likes small books, too - she likes to sleep with them in bed after reading them. Mrs. Tiggywinkle's cover is all crumpled.

Both DD's have a set, and we bought a set as a christening present only last week.

They are gorgeous little books, with beautiful illustrations, we used to live in the Lake District and can spot familiar places.

My favourite is Samuel Whiskers.

"Anna Maria, Anna Maria, bring me a roly-poly kitten pudding" said menacing to DD's, it make them laugh.

DD is 2.75 and likes Mrs. Tiggywinkle, Tom Kitten and also Peter Rabbit (although she's a "bit scared" of Mr. McGregor). I'm thinking of getting Johnny Town Mouse and Jeremy Fisher next.

I prefer the idea of buying them and enjoying them gradually to having a boxed set, though (OK - have just seen you're planning to get the boxed set but then dish them out gradually - that sounds ideal!)

Of the ones suitable for older children, I think I liked Pigling Bland the best (thinking of the last page still makes me sob!). I always did find Samuel Whiskers too scary, though - the lucky escape is no more frightening than any of those in the other books, but it was something to do with them living upstairs.

DS1 loves them (he's 4) - especially Jeremy Fisher (he is fascinted by the butterfly sandwiches and ladybird sauce).

The trouble I find with having a box set (we were given a set of about 10) is that they are considered marvellous for pouring out of said box onto the floor. I seem to find myself putting them back in the box about 3 times a day.

There are some quite old-fashioned behaviours in them, as mentioned. The flopsy bunnies get put in a sack ready for a pie/rabbit skin waistcoat and there is much beating and smacking. I wasn't too impressed by Hunka Munka and her ther half's behaviour either.

I didn't read them as a child, ds has a box set but despite, my attempts he has never been interested in reading them.

I loved Beatrix Potter as a child, I think they are lovely classic books

He certainly did iheartdusty!

doesn't the owl rip the tail off Squirrel Nutkin - or something??

they are very strict and naughty young animals risk coming to a Bad End in an old fashioned kind of way.

you may also require this which still entrances DD at nearly 8

shockers, your idea is nice. I've bought the box from TheBookPeople but I think the books have lovely pictures but don't read aloud as well as a lot of modern kids' picture books. But my sons are only 2.5 and 9 months and I think we'll enjoy having them all later.

In 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny', Old Mr Benjamin Bunny does indeed beat young Benjamin and his cousin Peter Rabbit for going back into Mr MacGregor's garden to get back Peter's blue jacket and shoes which he lost there in 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'

I don't remember having nightmares about it though....

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

get it, it is fab

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