4 Things You Might Not Know About Peter Rabbit

When Beatrix Potter dreamed up Peter Rabbit, I’m not sure if she realized how impactful, one little bunny, wearing human clothes would be. He first appeared in The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902 and makes appearances in five more books between 1904 and 1912. The adorable floppy eared character is featured on just about any novelty item you can think of – dishes, bedding, and dolls. To modernize the popular rabbit and reintroduce him to a new generation, Nick Jr. created a popular television series that’s ran from 2012 – 2016. The pilot episode, for the series, brought in three million viewers in the U.S. Moreover, millions more will watch the Sony Pictures Animation adaptation that features a mix of animation and live action.

Peter Rabbit was named after a pet rabbit Potter had as a child called Peter Piper. The first trade edition, of the story, was published in 1903 and by the end of the year 28,000 copies were in print. As of 2008, The Tale of Peter Rabbit has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and the Peter Rabbit series has sold more than 151 million copies in 35 languages. There’s so much behind the scenes information that many don’t know about the infamous rabbit and his platform. You'll find that these exclusive facts are interesting and will change your view on Peter Rabbit.

Japan Loves Peter Rabbit

The character Peter Rabbit is very popular in Japan. The stories are shared amongst the Japanese culture and you can find Peter Rabbit on just about any merchandise, you’re interested in purchasing, in Japan. Many Japanese residents visit the Lake District after getting acquainted with the story and Potter’s other works. During the 20th century, Potter was a residence at Hill Top Farm and featured the Lake District as the setting for the famous Peter Rabbit, in her books.

An accurate replica of Potter’s house and theme park can be found in Japan, along with a series of Mr. McGregor gardens in one of the largest banks. The attraction brings a mixture of locals and tourists to the premise on a daily basis. Parents, introducing their young children to the fairy tale, especially like bringing their little ones to see the amusement. Merchandisers report that 80% of Japan’s population has heart of the blue coated rabbit.

The Manuscript Was Originally Rejected

Potter’s manuscript was originally titled The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor’s Garden. Believe it or not, the manuscript was rejected by six publishers. Frederick Warne & Co was the publisher that eventually published the book, but they originally refused it – even though they were interested in the accompanying artwork. The rejection reasons varied. Some publishers wanted a shorter story and others wanted a longer one. Potter presented uncolored illustrations to accompany the manuscript, and some publishers requested colored images. Frustrated with the array of feedback, Potter decided to self-publish her work of art and printed 250 copies privately; however, this time she shortened the title to The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She distributed the copies to family and friends. A year later, Frederick Warne & Co signed Potter and decided to publish the book. As a result, Warne requested that the ‘bunny book’ include colored illustrations. At first Potter did not want her illustrations colored, but she ultimately decided that the addition of color was a good idea.

Merchandising

Nowadays we are inundated with character merchandise. Every Pixar or Disney film is accompanied by an overwhelming amount of product to support the film. Peter Rabbit is the first character to be fully merchandised. The idea to merchandise Peter Rabbit came from none other than Potter herself. So, the bright author created her own Peter Rabbit doll and registered with the patent office. While Potter was alive, a Peter Rabbit board game and wallpaper were also produced.

Now Peter Rabbit can be found on just about anything and everything – even Enfamil formula features the famous rabbit. Over the years, a number of spin-off items have hit the market and sold extremely well. The commercial opportunities have truly been endless. Potter helped build a ‘bunny book’ empire that is worth $500 million today. Her innovative system has assisted and benefited all licensed characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Harry Potter.

There Was a Rabbit Before Peter Piper

Potter loved to draw. She would spend hours upon hours sketching animals and plants because she was truly fascinated by the natural world. Two of Potter’s earliest models were her beloved pet rabbits. Before her second pet rabbit, Peter Piper, Potter’s first rabbit was Benjamin Bouncer. Benjamin enjoyed butter toast and accompanied the Potter family on holidays in Scotland – where he went for long walks with Potter.

Peter Piper is said to have had a talent for performing tricks and entertaining anyone who would watch. He also accompanied Potter everywhere she went. There’s no definitive reasoning why Potter chose to select Peter Piper as her muse and inspiration, but I think it’s safe to say he was her absolute favorite pet. Benjamin is thought to have inspired the character Benjamin Button – that is later introduced in other tales and recent spin offs. However, the merchandising and tale was centered around the infamous rabbit who wore an adorable blue coat.