As the "Tale of Peter Rabbit", the inaugural book in the itty-bitty book series about Peter and his many companions, celebrates its centenary publication, Associate Professor Barbara Kiefer comments on the character's broad appeal. "It's a classic story; it's almost mythological. The hero leaves home, goes into the wider world, faces danger, comes back chastened, but still a hero."

Written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" has been reprinted more than 250 times since 1902. "Peter Rabbit" and the 22 other itty-bitty books about Peter's misadventures with bunny-siblings Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, and friends, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tittlemouse, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, are sold in 35 languages at a rate of 5 million copies a year.

The article, entitled "Peter Rabbit celebrates 100th Anniversary" appeared in the March 22, 2002 edition of the Rochester Post Bulletin.

When possible, the News Bureau provides a link to article summaries, a link is always provided to the online source. Not all online sources archive information and some charge a fee for older material.

Published Wednesday, Jun. 26, 2002