Peter Rabbit squeezing underneath Mr.McGregor's gate

5 of the most mischievous moments from the World of Peter Rabbit

From sneaky bunnies to cheeky squirrels, Beatrix Potter’s world is brimming with mischievous characters who just can't seem to resist the call of adventure.

Whether it’s Peter Rabbit slipping into Mr. McGregor’s garden for a forbidden snack, Tom Kitten ruining his perfectly pressed clothes, or Squirrel Nutkin teasing the ever-patient Old Brown, each tale is packed with antics, scrapes – and a good few daring escapes!

Mr.McGregor chases Peter Rabbit

1. Peter Rabbit sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden

Like many of us, Peter Rabbit simply can’t resist the thrill of an adventure – mischief and all! “Now run along, and don’t get into mischief,” Peter’s mother says, in The Tale of Peter Rabbit, as she heads to the bakery to buy some fresh bread. But naturally, Peter’s curiosity gets the better of him, and he sets off to explore Mr. McGregor’s garden. And who could blame the pint-sized bunny? Slipping under the gate, he finds himself surrounded by rows of mouth-watering vegetables. From crunchy lettuces to juicy radishes, it’s a feast too tempting to pass up!

Before long, Peter’s fun has become a frantic chase. He leaps and dodges to escape the gardener's clutches, but in the chaos, his little blue jacket and shoes are left behind. Thankfully, Peter’s quick paws save him and this mischievous little bunny has learned an important lesson… for now!

Tom Kitten in the garden

2. Tom Kitten ruins his clothes

In The Tale of Tom Kitten, poor Tabitha Twitchit is busy preparing for guests, but her playful kittens – Tom, Moppet, and Mittens – have other ideas! She dresses them in their finest clothes, hoping they will stay neat and tidy. But what’s the fun in staying clean when there’s a whole garden to play in?

Of course, Tom and his siblings can’t help themselves. Buttons pop, hats are tossed aside, and the kittens’ smart outfits soon lie in a heap on the ground. Before long, all three are rolling around in the dirt, laughing and playing. When she finds them, their mother is not best pleased and sends them straight to bed – though Tom’s little grin suggests he doesn’t regret a thing. After all, playing outside is way more fun than sitting around looking fancy!

Old Brown and Squirrel Nutkin

3. Squirrel Nutkin teases Old Brown

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is packed with cheeky fun, and Nutkin is perhaps one of Beatrix Potter’s most mischievous characters. Along with his squirrel friends, he visits Owl Island to collect nuts and the squirrels offer Old Brown, the resident owl, gifts in exchange for his permission. But not Nutkin! He just can’t resist teasing Old Brown with riddles, songs and playful antics.

Day after day, Nutkin’s taunting grows bolder, until the fed-up owl finally has had enough. With a swift swoop, the owl catches Nutkin and although he manages to wriggle free, Nutkin doesn’t leave entirely unscathed and loses part of his tail in the process. This is one woodland creature who learned that sometimes even the most mischievous of squirrels can push their luck a little too far!

Jemima puddle-duck

4. Jemima Puddle-duck falls for Mr. Tod’s tricks

Jemima Puddle-duck is one determined duck and all she just wants is to hatch her eggs in peace. In The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck, she meets a kind ‘gentleman’ who offers her a perfect nesting spot. It all seems too good to be true – and it is! Mr Tod, of course, has a much more mischievous plan and the sly fox has no intention of helping her. Instead, he wants to turn Jemima into his dinner…

Luckily for Jemima, help is on the way. Kep, the clever farm dog, swoops in just in time to foil Mr. Tod’s plot and save the day. Though a little shaken, Jemima’s adventure ends with her safe and sound back at the farm, a little wiser though just as determined.

Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny sneak into Mr.McGregor's garden

5. Benjamin Bunny and Peter return to the garden

In The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Peter Rabbit isn’t quite finished with his adventures in Mr. McGregor’s garden. This time, he teams up with his cousin, Benjamin Bunny, for a return visit. The mission? To retrieve the clothes Peter lost in his earlier escapade. Benjamin, more confident than Peter, leads the way, and soon enough, they spot Peter’s blue jacket and shoes adorning a scarecrow.

But their plan quickly goes awry when Mr. McGregor’s cat shows up. The mischievous duo are caught off guard and hide under a basket, but the cat traps them inside! Thankfully, Benjamin’s father arrives and rescues the pair, much to their relief. Peter’s mother couldn’t be more delighted for him to return with his jacket and shoes, even if he’s a little worse for wear!

BEATRIX POTTER™ © Frederick Warne & Co., 2024. All Rights Reserved.