Beatrix Potter\u2019s The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published on October 2nd, 1902. The book was an instant sensation, needing reprints almost immediately, and ultimately went on to sell an extraordinary 40 million copies worldwide.\nPotter had initially written it in 1893 as a letter to cheer up Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of her former governess. Noel was ill, and Potter wrote the story simply to help him pass the time. Seeing Peter Rabbit\u2019s potential, however, her friends encouraged her to publish.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explore why The Tale of Peter Rabbit was rejected by six publishers; look into how Potter first met the \u201creal\u201d Peter Rabbit; and discuss how the gentle book was given a high-octane update when it transferred to TV\u2026\xa0\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Peter Rabbit: the tale of \u201cThe Tale\u201d\u2019 (V&A Museum, 2021): https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/peter-rabbit-the-tale-of-the-tale\xa0\n\u2022 \u2018Peter Rabbit and Other Stories\u2019 (Lit2Go, 1902): https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/148/peter-rabbit-and-other-stories/4923/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit/\xa0\n\u2022 \u2018Peter Rabbit - Official Trailer\u2019 (Sony Pictures, 2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pa_Weidt08\xa0\nThis episode first premiered in 2022, for members of\xa0\U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\U0001f334 - where you can also DITCH THE ADS and get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 70 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast. Join now via\xa0Apple Podcasts\xa0or\xa0Patreon.\xa0Thanks!\n\xa0\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/retrospectors\n\xa0\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices