The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (Peter Rabbit)

Though my children are long grown up, I could not resist the lure of a newly discovered Beatrix Potter story, even knowing the charming illustrations of Beatrix would be absent. I showed the book to one of my daughters, and she did not care for the illustrations, and my husband, who read the BP books countless times to five children, just growls.

The plot is more complicated than earlier of her stories, yet interesting and enjoyable to read, but perhaps not for the youngest ones. The illustrations in this book are nothing at all like the charming watercolors of Beatrix Potter. These pictures are a modern and edgy style that is the fashion of today. I can imagine the dilemma of the publisher, whether to copy the style of the original illustrations or try something completely different. Either choice would be fraught with the inevitable comparison to the incomparable original paintings. (There is one existing original BP illustration for this story, but it is not included in this book.) Sadly, the charm of old-fashioned tenderness that is now so lacking in children’s entertainment is lacking here, too. Some who have modern sensibilities may like the illustrations, but I think the style is better suited to a political cartoon.

Included in this edition is an audio recording of the story as read by Helen Mirren that was carelessly pasted askew inside the back cover of my copy in a flimsy plastic pocket that looks like it will not last long, but may damage the CD.

The text is cute, but the illustrator, one I've really enjoyed with other books, was totally inappropriate for Beatrix Potter story. Just could not get past that fact. Found myself longing for original style drawings.

LOVE it! What a treat. A new favorite. While they are very different than Potter's style, I adore Blake's lively illustrations. They truly bring the story to life. Helen Mirren's audio version was a surprise bonus. I'd like to see a small version to match my boxed sets.

I guess nothing can compare with Beatrice Potter's art work. But why go in the totally opposite direction?

I can not even believe the illustrations in this book. They are so disappointing. Beatrix Potter always had such beautiful little pictures to go with her stories and in fact didn't finish this book because she felt she couldn't get her kitty drawings just right. I believe she would be horrified to discover the type of illustrations they put in her story!
Fredrick Warne Co should be ashamed they did this to her last story.

Loved the lost story of Beatrix Potter, but the art was a disappointment. So unlike Beatrix Potter illustrations previously.

Was disappointed in the artwork. Just does not match with Beatrix Potter's drawings. They should have made the artwork more along how she portrayed the characters in her books.

My grandchildren enjoyed the story but were repulsed by the illustrations. They seemed quite "harsh" compared to the ones drawn by Miss Potter.

Not the usual beautifully written Beatrix Potter. I was disappointed.

Quintin's illustrations are his usual loose and lovely characters, and Love the CD that comes with it, Helen Mirren reads much better than I. Wonder if we will ever find out why it wasn't published for Beatrix. Could it have been a rejection, or was it only a first draft, did the publisher thing there were too many cat stories.....????