A new story by one of the world's most popular children's book writers has been discovered, and it features none other than the beloved character Peter Rabbit — although he's put on a little weight. Penguin Random House publisher Jo Hanks found the long-lost book by British children's author Beatrix Potter at London's Victoria & Albert Museum in 2013, but the announcement was delayed so its publication later this year would coincide with the 150th anniversary of Potter's birth.
The manuscript, Kitty-in-Boots, features a "well-behaved prime black kitty cat, who leads rather a double life," Hanks told the London Times, according to The Washington Post.
"The tale really is the best of Beatrix Potter. It has double identities, colorful villains and a number of favorite characters from other tales — most excitingly, Peter Rabbit makes an appearance, albeit older, slower and portlier," Hanks elaborated to The Bookseller.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kitty-in-Boots was written in 1914, the year World War I began and Potter's father died; the book, while clearly intended to be published, was likely obstructed by the war and Potter's recent marriage and move to a sheep farm. Potter died in 1943.
Potter's best known work, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was published in 1902 to instant acclaim. The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots will be released in the United States in September, with illustrations by Quentin Blake.
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
