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A story by celebrated children’s author Beatrix Potter, written more than a century ago, is to be published for the first time after the rediscovery of the tale which features some of her best-known characters such as Peter Rabbit.
The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots, penned by Potter in 1914, was found by publisher Jo Hanks after she came across an out-of-print biography of the author from the 1970s which referred to the story in a letter Potter had sent to her then-publisher and an unedited manuscript.
Jo then discovered three handwritten manuscripts in children’s school notebooks which were in the archive of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum along with a rough colour sketch of Kitty-in-Boots.
The Bookcase store on Budaiya Highway has a special cabinet full of mementoes featuring the author’s characters and its bookfair and special events manager, Charlie Richards, said: “The new book promises all of the Potter hallmarks that we have come to enjoy and treasure. It is said to be humorous, edgy and a joy to read.
“We are very much looking forward to meeting an extraordinary new character alongside an ‘older, slower and portlier’ Peter Rabbit. Amongst double identities and some new colourful characters Potter has revived the arch-villain Mr Tod (from the original Peter Rabbit Tale) and our other favourites such as Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Ribby and Tabitha Twitchit, who like old friends, we are eager to be re-acquainted with.
“Though Potter’s characters maintain a very British demeanour it is because of that they are all completely adored by other cultures.
“We believe that there will be a huge demand for her new book as it is considerably unique and one-of-a-kind amongst the Beatrix Potter collection. It’s also set to complement the new line of Beatrix Potter books, written by Emma Thompson, which tells the story of a much older Peter Rabbit who heads off on a wondrous adventure to find his distant relatives in Scotland.
“The tale of Peter Rabbit, in particular, is exceptionally popular all over the world due to the life-long adoration that children from varying cultures have for Potter’s characters. Her stories provide a sense of adventure with a few dark twists and turns; only to end with warmth, safety and comfort.
“Potter had always desired for her books to be purely for children to enjoy and to learn from. Many children worldwide are encouraged to read her books as they are simple, easy to read and entertaining. Kitty in boots will be of no exception.
“Despite the author turning down Walt Disney’s proposal to make Peter Rabbit into a film, Beatrix Potter’s tales have remained popular over a century after her original publication. Her tales are timeless and give a warm fuzzy feeling of childhood nostalgia to those generations who have grown up with her books. Potter’s quick wit allows us to fall in love not only with her characters but also with the quaint English countryside. She has perfected the art of storytelling with 23 charming tales.
“I’m sure that this book will be no different, as it shall take its pride of place right next to Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jemima Puddleduck and remain timeless, not only for those of us who are familiar with her work, but also for the younger generation and for many more generations to come.
“I believe that Peter Rabbit along with all his friends will, without a doubt, remain ‘the most famous rabbit in the world’.
Penguin Random House is to publish the new story in September with drawings provided by Quentin Blake, one of Britain’s most renowned illustrators.
“Once upon a time there was a serious, well-behaved young black cat,” the book starts, according to an extract on the Penguin website.
“It belonged to a kind old lady who assured me that no other cat could compare with Kitty. She lived in constant fear that Kitty might be stolen – ‘I hear there is a shocking fashion for black cat-skin muffs; wherever is Kitty gone to? Kitty! Kitty!’”
The publisher says Potter intended to publish the tale but marriage, the outbreak of the First World War and her concentration on her farming business had got in the way.
Potter, born 150 years ago, remains one of the world’s most popular children’s authors. Two million copies of her ‘little books’ are sold globally every year and more than 45 million copies of The Tale of Peter Rabbit have been sold since it was first published in 1902.
“She was a wonderful story-teller. There’s nothing like it, tell a good story, tell it clearly, tell it well and you’ve got an audience,” said actress Patricia Routledge, patron of the Beatrix Potter Society.
Blake, the artist who gave Roald Dahl’s books their distinctive look, agreed to illustrate the tale. He said: “It seemed almost incredible when, early in 2015, I was sent the manuscript of a story by Beatrix Potter; one which had lain unpublished for 100 years and which, with the exception of a single drawing, she had never illustrated.
“I liked the story immediately – it’s full of incident and mischief and character – and I was fascinated to think that I was being asked to draw pictures for it. I have a strange feeling that it might have been waiting for me.”
