Who wrote the children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"?

The children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit was written by Beatrix Potter, who also created its illustrations. The story follows a mischievous young rabbit who disobeys his mother and ventures into Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Potter first wrote the tale in 1893 as an illustrated letter for Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of her former governess, Annie Carter Moore. After several publishers rejected the project, Potter privately printed an edition in 1901. Frederick Warne & Co. then published a trade edition, helping the book become an international success.

Readers sometimes remember 1902 as the publication date because that was when the first full-colour commercial edition appeared. Potter’s original small book was published in 1901, and she supplied both the text and the artwork. The story’s appeal comes partly from Peter’s rebellious behaviour: he ignores a warning, eats vegetables in the garden, loses his clothes, and narrowly escapes.

The book also helped establish character merchandising. In 1903, Potter patented a Peter Rabbit soft toy, making the character an early example of a licensed children’s brand.