Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends

PreS-Gr 3—Potter's collection of animal tales has sustained its appeal for over a century. Durable characters, interpreted in scores of iterations, still maintain their essential attraction. Here 21 tales are narrated by Katherine Kellgren, beginning with "Peter Rabbit." Each story is told in faithful, dramatic style and, thankfully, without musical interludes or inventions. Kellgren's British accent lends an air of authenticity. She brings each character clearly into focus. Some of the tales are bulky with anachronistic vocabulary and complexities, such as "The Tailor of Gloucester," but such is the reality of Potter's charming world. Perhaps the most entertaining is "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin." While the narrator's reading is fetching, her pacing is so quick that youngsters who have the books at hand may have difficulty following along. Still, this is a lovely choice for those who seek a fast-paced, lively interpretation of Potter's works.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY