1st Edition

The Case of Peter Rabbit Changing Conditions of Literature for Children

By Margaret Mackey Copyright 1998
    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    240 Pages
    by Routledge

    Using the example of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter to explore the impact of new media and technologies on how children learn about stories and reading, this book investigates nearly 100 re-tellings in a variety of media, some authorized by Potter's publisher Frederick Warne, some unauthorized. It looks at the implications of converging developments in children's literature: new media and technologies now readily available to children leading to new conventions and protocols of storytelling; changing commercial pressures on publishers and an emphasis on producing commodities associated with books and videos; saturation marketing which targets children and adults in different ways; and a cultural emphasis on the fragmentation, adaptation, and re-working of texts. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is now available as picture book, chapter book, board and bath book, pop-up, video (in versions that adhere to the original story and versions that deviate radically to include new adventures or Christian messages), ballet, CD-ROM, computer disc, audio tape, and filmstrip. The character of Peter Rabbit may be purchased as toy, clothing, dish, ornament, wallpaper, food, paper doll, and much else. His story and that of his author, Beatrix Potter, reappear in fragmented form in other books for children, in a murder mystery for adults, and in a graphic novel for teenagers. This book raises questions about the impact of these developments on young readers. Index. Appendix. Bibliography.

    Acknowledgments, Introduction, Chapter 1. Peter Rabbit: Potter’s Story, Chapter 2. Peter Rabbit: Ways of Recasting, Chapter 3. Reillustrating Potter’s Words, Chapter 4. The Story Retold and Reillustrated, Chapter 5. The Videos, Chapter 6. Other Media, Chapter 7. The Activity Books, Chapter 8. The CD-ROMs, Chapter 9. Consumables and Collectibles, Chapter 10. Issues of Ownership, Chapter 11. The Author as Commodity, Chapter 12. New Adventures, Chapter 13. Implications, References, Bibliography, Versions of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Appendix, Index

    Biography

    Margaret Mackey

    "Margaret Mackey had me riveted in fascination from beginning to end...[she] has performed a public service with this case study that is both detached in description and passionate in argument." -- Mythprint