The Tale of Benjamin Bunny with Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit Series
on Goodreads (16,967)
What’s inside...
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter is a delightful story about a little rabbit named Benjamin Bunny who goes on an adventure to visit his relatives in the woods. Along the way, he meets his cousin Peter, who has lost his clothes to a scarecrow in Mr. McGregor's garden. Together, they try to retrieve Peter's clothes and end up hiding under a basket to escape the cat. Benjamin's father, old Mr. Benjamin Bunny, comes to their rescue and saves them from the cat. In the end, Peter returns home safely, and the family hangs up the onions as a reminder of their adventure. This charming tale is a classic children's story that captures the innocence and mischief of young rabbits in a beautifully illustrated world created by Beatrix Potter.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
23 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Benjamin Bunny
Peter Rabbit
Discussion points
What do you think Benjamin and Peter felt when they were in Mr. McGregor's garden?
How did the characters help each other throughout the story?
What would you have done if you were in Benjamin and Peter's shoes?
Why is it important to think about consequences before we act?
How do you think the story would change if Benjamin or Peter made different choices?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones when discussing different characters to make the story come alive for your child.
Relate the experiences of Benjamin and Peter to a time your child faced a similar dilemma or adventure.
Encourage your child to think about what bravery and friendship mean to them, drawing parallels to the story.
After reading, summarize the story together to reinforce comprehension and recall details.
Ask your child to imagine alternate endings or different decisions the characters could have made and discuss those scenarios.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of obeying rules
Explanation: In the story, Benjamin Bunny and Peter Rabbit face consequences after disregarding the rules set by their parents. This provides a narrative on the repercussions of disobedience.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to following instructions from parents and teachers to avoid trouble and ensure safety.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Benjamin and Peter work together to retrieve Peter’s clothes from Mr. McGregor's scarecrow. This highlights the success achieved through cooperation and collective effort.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to collaborate with siblings and friends in tasks and games, appreciating how teamwork can simplify challenges.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The rabbits encounter various challenges, including escaping from a cat, and they have to think quickly and creatively to navigate these problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and develop solutions to everyday obstacles, such as resolving conflicts or making decisions.
Example Lesson: The consequences of taking unnecessary risks
Explanation: The adventurous nature of the rabbits leads them into risky situations, reminding readers of the potential negative outcomes of risky behaviors.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to assess situations more carefully and make prudent choices, particularly in unfamiliar or potentially dangerous scenarios.
Example Lesson: Respect for others’ property
Explanation: By taking things that do not belong to them, the rabbits learn a lesson about respecting ownership, as the quest to retrieve the clothes propels the plot.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of not taking things that are not theirs without permission, fostering a sense of respect and responsibility towards others' belongings.