The Ultimate Peter Rabbit

A special anniversary edition to celebrate 150 years since Beatrix Potter's birth. DK's The Ultimate Peter Rabbit traces the true story behind the mischievous rabbit who has captured the hearts of children all around the world.

See the first Peter Rabbit merchandise and his journey from page to stage to screen. Discover the real-life places that inspired the tales, from Squirrel Nutkin's lake to Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's hillside. Explore Tom Kitten's farmhouse in the Lake District and pore over original archive illustrations, sketches, and photographs. The Ultimate Peter Rabbit has been updated to continue the story of how Peter Rabbit has grown and evolved in the 21st century.

Gr 2–5—Peter gets title billing, but this large-format volume celebrates all of Potter's immortal creatures. Apart from including updates on commemorations of Potter's 150th birthday, this edition differs negligibly from the 2002 American edition, though a couple of photo captions have been corrected. The title is a treasure trove of images (only occasionally repeated) from Potter's art, life, and landscapes, tracing some influences on and marketing of her works. Roughly chronological, the organization follows Potter's life and legacy: four pages of time line in 2002 are now six, catching up to 2016 but sacrificing a 2002 spread on "Global Peter," where we could learn about, for example, the Japanese craze for the rabbit. The book acknowledges Potter's role in land conservation in the Lake District, and maps display British sites associated with her. In usual DK style, this selection is visually stunning. VERDICT Any children's library without the earlier edition will want to consider adding this one.—Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly at St. George's School, Newport, RI