Dear Peter Rabbit

DEAR PETER RABBIT by ALMA FLOR ADA, Illustrated by LESLIE TRYON ATHENEUM BFYR, 1994 (32 pages, $15.00) REINFORCED LIBRARY, ISBN: 0-689-31850-2 CHILDRENS-JUVENILE Reading level: Ages 4-8

Synopsis Alma Flor Ada has written a book that charms the reader with the possibility that there is a world in which all of our favorite storybook characters know each other. In this epistolary romp through some well-loved storybook terrain, Pig One, Peter Rabbit, Goldilocks, Baby Bear and Little Red Riding Hood all correspond--and meet at last at Goldilock's birthday party. Full color. Peter Rabbit is stuck in bed with a cold and unable to attend the festivities at the Three Little Pigs’ housewarming, which is threatened by the havoc-wreaking Big Bad Wolf. Reprint. SLJ. Reviews From Booklist May 1, 1994 Ages 3-6. Ada uses an amusing conceit to add to children's knowledge of the fairy-tale world. The text is a series of letters between such favorites as Peter Rabbit, Goldilocks, and one of the three little pigs, and there’s even a hasty note from one big bad wolf to another. The letters loosely constitute a story, but it is the cozy feeling of seeing inside these characters’ lives that is the book's real selling point. Tryon's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are a delightful complement to the letters, fresh and filled with the detail that brings a reader back for a second and third look. Especially amusing is the two-page spread featuring the letter from the three little pigs’ wolf to Red Riding Hood’s wolf, which reads in part: "Perhaps we would do well to change our diet. It is not a pleasant prospect, but it may be in our interests to avoid both young girls and pigs from now on." The picture shows a glum wolf having a replacement tail sewn on after the pigs have chopped off the original and used it for soup. Ilene Cooper Copyright© 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved From Kirkus Reviews , March 1, 1994 The events in four familiar tales are cleverly intertwined and reported in a dozen letters. "Pig One" invites Peter Rabbit to a housewarming, but he can't go because he's in bed sipping camomile; Baby Bear wants his new friend Goldilocks McGregor to visit; Pigs One and Two report that they’re now safely with Pig Three; Peter gets an unexpected invitation from Goldilocks and compliments the three pigs on the wolf’s-tail soup served at the housewarming they finally managed to celebrate; the wolf orders a new tail and swears off pigs and little girls. Red Riding Hood wraps up events in a letter to her grandmother, while Tryon (Albert’s Alphabet, 1991, ALA Notable) visualizes them in an inviting fairy-tale world, gently recalling both Gustave Dor and Beatrix Potter with entrancing, delicately colored crosshatched detail. In addition to more obvious uses, try a dramatic reading of these pleasingly childlike letters. Also available in Spanish (ISBN: 0-689-31915-0). (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. From Horn Book Detailed illustrations enhance a series of charming and informative letters that continue the tales of such well-known literary characters as Peter Rabbit, the three pigs, Goldilocks, and the big, bad wolves. At the conclusion, all of the storybook friends gather at a birthday party. Also available in Spanish. -- Copyright © 1994 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved. The Spanish version of Dear Peter Rabbit (Atheneum) will delight readers, as well-known storybook characters correspond with each other. The amusing letters include invitations to a fabulous birthday party attended by Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, and all their animal friends. Enchanting illustrations add to the charming tale. -- Copyright © 1994 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Reader Review, Nov. 2002 Good Morning! I am an Early Intervention Program teacher. I have been using the book "Dear Peter Rabbit" with a group of fourth graders who are working on improving comprehension. They absolutely LOVED it and have asked me every day if I would read more. I have been extremely pleased with their reaction to this book and the activities that we have incorporated. They have practically climbed all over themselves to get a look at your illustrations. I only have one copy and have read aloud one or two letters a day and then show your illustrations. The excitement that has generated over these is incredible. They all look for some detail they can share with the class that others may not notice! The class wanted you to know how much they enjoy your work and that they love looking for the little mouse in each picture. I look forward to sharing another book with them which you have illustrated. I really enjoy using books that spark such interest in my students. Thank you for your incredible work! L. S., Georgia, U.S.A.