The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Author: Beatrix Potter

Illustrator: Cyndy Szekeres

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: Waterstones The Nation's Favorite Children's Books (1997, No 41), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009, Ages 3^), New York Public Library's Books of the Century, 501 Must-Read Books (Children's Fiction), Growing Good Kids Book Award (Classics)

Grade(s): Pre-K-2nd 

Summary: The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a well known classic that features a rabbit named Peter who is mischievous and ends up learning a lesson. Peter lived with his mother and 3 sisters. Peter's mother told her children that they were allowed to go outside to play, but instructed them to stay away from Mr. McGregor's garden. She even mentions that their father had an "accident" there and was put into a pie. When Peter's mother went shopping and his sisters went to pick blackberries, Peter decided to visit Mr. McGregor's garden, just as he had been instructed not to. While there, Peter ate many different things that Mr. McGregor was growing. Mr. McGregor ended up spotting Peter and went to chase him. Peter's jacket button ended up getting caught in a net which resulted in him having to leave it behind in order to escape Mr. McGregor. Eventually, Peter had been chased all around the garden and had gotten lost. He was so scared he began to cry. However, Peter finally spotted the gate where he had come in and was finally able to escape back home. When he had returned home, he had fallen ill and had to go to bed early while his sisters enjoyed a nice, delicious supper. 

My Thoughts: I have read this book many times growing up and it still continues to be a favorite classic of mine. I definitely feel like this would be a good book to use in my classroom to teach my students the importance of following the directions given to them. Just as in the story, not following directions can result in becoming lost or even becoming sick. This book is a good book to use to teach this lesson and I feel like it will be enjoyed by my students just as it was enjoyed by me.