The Tale Of Benjamin Bunny (2002) - Plot & Excerpts
"The Tale of Benjamin Bunny" is a splendid fantasy book for children. The classic tale will enthrall children and capture their attention nicely. Beatrix Potter's beautiful illustrations shine in this book, thanks to modern printing techniques that restore her original watercolors to their original splendor. Even if some children cannot actually read the entire text, they certainly will enjoy following along using the eye-catching and colorful illustrations. The book describes the adventures of Benjamin Bunny and one of his cousins, Peter. The two endeavor to reclaim Peter's clothes, which have been lost in the McGregors' garden. Along the way, they find onions to take home and encounter a cat who entraps them underneath a basket. Young readers will be excited as they read about whether or not Benjamin Bunny and Peter will escape from the garden with the onions and Peter's clothes. The book is nicely written, though sometimes Beatrix Potter's style may confuse readers a little, especially with old-fashioned words such as "gig", "bonnet", "tam-o-shanter". For that reason, I would recommend this book for more advanced readers who can appreciate Beatrix Potter's style and language. I would envision this book being used for second grade (higher level readers), third grade, and even fourth grade. Children of all ages could appreciate the style and the animals who come to life through Potter's vivid writing. I could see this book being used as a read-aloud for younger children (first grade and early second grade), as most of them would follow the gist of the story and would also glean meaning through following the illustrations. Older readers would be able to read this book independently. This book would be a great book to use in a unit in which students explore various authors and their unique styles. The characters in this book would serve as excellent examples of an author using personification to bring animals to life. Finally, the book would be well-suited for a unit about tales and their key characteristics.
Ah, this book made me glad I was reading them all in order of publication. This is book 4, and for the first time, characters from a previous books turn up! We learn a bit more about Peter Rabbit's widowed mother, for instance - she makes a living selling, among other things, rabbit tobacco (known as lavender to us oblivious humans!). Benjamin Bunny is Peter Rabbit's cousin, and even more mischievous than him. Peter is still unwell (and without clothes - wearing a hankerchief to hide his nakedness!) from his escapades in Mr McGregor's garden. Benjamin Bunny gets straight to the point, and asks who's got his clothes. When Peter explains, Benjamin informs him that Mr McGregor is out for the day - very subtle way of suggesting they go retrieve the clothes! So off they go, despite the fact that poor Peter is poorly and now terrified of that garden!And then of course they have adventures, despite Mr McGregor being out for the day! I won't give away any spoilers but will mention that, gosh, Benjamin Bunny's dad is quite a fierce character - nowhere near as lenient as Peter Rabbit's mother!
What do You think about The Tale Of Benjamin Bunny (2002)?
Of all the Beatrix Potter books, this one is closest to modern life. Benjamin Bunny goes to visit his cousins who live with their single, widowed mother...who runs a shop selling rabbit-wool mittens she's knitted herself along with herbs and, ahem, "rabbit-tobacco".Benjamin is streetwise (unlike his cousin Peter) and knows the ins and outs of stealing. He is moving fast into a life of crime, but he doesn't reckon with his old man, known as Old Benjamin Bunny. Papa bunny is the Clint Eastwood of his hood and kicks the butt of the local bully cat, while also delivering parental punishment to our Benjie Bunny.I love little Benjamin Bunny. He must have grown up to become an investment banker.Book Season = Year Round (boo-ya)
—GoldGato
Paul wrote: "How about Francis Ford Coppola's version of The Tale of the Two Bad Mice ?https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Mouses is always da bad guyz, capisce? https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
—Paul Bryant
I've read the Tale of Peter Rabbit a while ago. It was nice, but I think I prefer this sequel. In my opinion, the tale of Benjamin Bunny was less predictable than the one of Peter Rabbit. As always I liked the drawings. Especially those of the rabbits are truly beautiful. I even prefer them to many of those modern picture books.Now, I really liked Benjamin Bunny. He was funny, whereas naughty Peter from the first story turned into a scared one. Although I do get why that is. After all, he only just escaped out of Mr. McGregor's garden. It must be scary for him to be back. Having said that, I'm glad Benjamin was there this time. The thought of a rabbit with a tam-o-shanter and clogs. Only Beatrix Potter can imagine those things. I did think the punishment Benjamin and Peter got from Benjamins father was rather harsh. But then again, that was common in those times, wasn't it?Want to read more reviews, check my blog: http://inklingstime.blogspot.be/
—Jeremy (Inklingstime)
