THE TALE OF SQUIRREL NUTKIN
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin waspublished in August 1903 by Frederick Warne & Co and followedPotter’s hugely successful bookThe Tale of Peter Rabbit. The bookoriginated from a story and picture that Potter sent to Norah Moore, the daughter of her former governess, Annie Carter Moore. The tale was inspired by Potter’s summer in the Lake District in 1901. She spent the time sketching pictures of red squirrels and the landscape around St Herbert’s Island, which would later become Owl Island in The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. Potter was working on a few stories between 1901 and the end of 1902, including a tale about a poor tailor, which would later become The Tailor of Gloucester. However, in November 1902 her publisher encouraged her to continue sketching squirrels for a tale about the animals and in August 1903 the book was released. It immediately sold well resulting in ten thousand additional copies being printed in the latter part of 1903.
The plot concerns Squirrel Nutkin and his cousins and brother, who all decide to sail to Owl Island on a raft they have made from twigs. Old Brown is the resident owl of the island and Squirrel Nutkin and his companions offer gifts to him so they will be allowed to collect nuts on the land. However, Nutkin is disrespectful to Old Brown and begins to sing a silly riddle and dance around. Nutkin’s brother and cousins continue to offer presents to Old Brown for the next six days while Nutkin persists in performing his riddles. The story then becomes a tale of whether Squirrel Nutkin can escape from Old Brown and Owl Island with his life. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin reflects Potter’s interest in fairytales and her frequent use of repetition of riddles and songs is a common feature of that genre of storytelling. Once again Potter presents a naughty and rebellious character, who attempts to subvert power structures and faces terrible consequences if caught.

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