In the world of social media trends, cottagecore is all the rage. If this aesthetic had a mascot, it would be Beatrix Potter’s classic character, Peter Rabbit. Everyone knows this adorable little fellow with his round face, chubby tummy, and downy ears that are just begging for a cuddle.
Whether he’s stealing veggies from a field or snuggling into bed with chamomile tea, Peter Rabbit has hopped his way into the hearts of thousands.
Peter Rabbit has been a childhood staple since 1902 when children’s author Beatrix Potter introduced him in her book The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
She based him off her own childhood pet, a bunny called Peter Piper. Potter initially just wanted to cheer up a sick child by writing a cute story, but the appeal was apparent, and she went on to write four more books with a colorful cast of furry characters. As of 2008, the original book has sold 151 million copies and is translated into 35 languages, remaining one of the most popular children’s stories of all time.
Not only did people love reading the books, they loved the quaint, comforting aesthetic of Peter Rabbit. People instantly wanted to love him and be his friend. He became the first licensed character in 1903 when Potter patented a stuffed toy in his likeness, giving kids the opportunity to cuddle him for real.
And he may be best known to parents as the soothing character on bottles of Enfamil infant formula from 1972 to 2011, making him a symbol of childhood nourishment and growth.
Peter Rabbit is incredibly popular in Japan, where it is estimated that 80% of the population is familiar with the character. All generations love the cute bunny so much that there is a theme park and gift shop in Japan that sells everything from notebooks to figurines to dishes adorned with Peter Rabbit.
Though you can visit a replica of Beatrix Potter’s house in Japan, many Japanese fans still choose to travel to the Lake District in North West England, where Potter did much of her writing.
It took some time for Peter Rabbit to break into show business, since his creator was reluctant to give up the rights–even to children’s media mogul Walt Disney himself. He debuted in the ballet film The Tales of Beatrix Potter, where he was seen as charming and innocent, and made small appearances in children’s shows and filmed musicals. He finally got his own animated TV show in 2012 on Nickelodeon, bringing his charm to a wider audience of kids.
Many Peter Rabbit fans were excited when he got his own live-action/CGI movie in 2018, titled Peter Rabbit. He is voiced by beloved British comedian James Corden, with other voices lent by Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki, and Domhnall Gleeson. The movie did well at the box office and received somewhat favorable reviews, but many fans didn’t take to the modern animated look, preferring the sweetness and simplicity of Potter’s original drawings. A sequel is in production as of August 2020.
After over 100 years, people of all ages and cultures still adore reading and collecting Peter Rabbit. He’s not only adorable and perfect for cute decor and toys, his quintessential pastoral British persona is appealing to those longing for a simpler life in simpler times.
Vincent Salera
Founder @ World's Best Story™ amplifier of creativity & fun!
