Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies by Beatrix Potter

First published 1909
60 pages, 28 color illustrations

Benjamin Bunny and Flopsy Rabbit marry and have quite a family of six little bunnies. Their children are known as the Flopsy Bunnies. One day in Mr. McGregor's garden, the bunnies find themselves in quite a predictament.

The History Behind the Tale (Linder 195-196):
The history of the creation of The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies is scant. It is, of course, a sequel to Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Beatrix Potter likely wrote it as she knew it would appeal to her readers to hear again about familiar characters. The illustrations are set in Wales. It is interesting to note that the illustrations for Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and Flopsy Bunnies were all set in different locales.

Miniature Letters (Linder 85-86):
Mrs. Flopsy Bunny to Miss Moller (a reader)
Benjamin Bunny to Miss Moller
[the Flopsy Bunnies Christmas Greetings...]
Mrs. Flopsy Bunny to Master John Hough
1st Flopsy Bunny to Master John Hough
2nd Flopsy Bunny to Master John Hough
3rd (Miss)Flopsy Bunny to Master John Hough
4th (Miss)Flopsy Bunny to Master John Hough
scribbles & kisses from 5th (Miss) Flopsy Bunny and the same from 6th Master Flopsy Bunny

My thoughts: A cute tale. I liked meeting old and new characters in this story. I hope to see Thomasina Tittlemouse again. Flopsy and Benjamin have a fine family. Will we see them again, I wonder?

Favorite Illustrations: Flopsy Bunnies (8), Mr. McGregor putting bunnies in bag (31), Bunnies at the window (48), Mrs. Tittlemouse in her Christmas cloak (58)

Activities:
-Sleeping Bunnies Game (several children pretend to be sleeping bunnies. One child attempts to wake them up. Whoever wakes up is the next waker-upper)
-Sack Race

Favorite Words:

I hope you have enjoyed my discussion of The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies. Next week, I'll be skipping Ginger and Pickles as I'm still trying to locate a copy. We'll move on to The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse.

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