New Beatrix Potter Story

Beatrix Potter story Kitty-in-Boots rediscovered after 100 years.

09:54 28 January 2016

A new story written by Beatrix Potter more than 100 years ago will be published in September for the first time.

 

Featuring Peter Rabbit, the Tale of Kitty-in-Boots was rediscovered by publisher Jo Hanks after she found a reference to it in an out-of-print Potter biography.

 

Potter, who managed to complete just one drawing for the manuscript, sent the story to her publisher in 1914 saying that it was about “a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life.”

 

Ms Hanks said: "The tale really is the best of Beatrix Potter.

 

"It has double identities, colourful villains and a number of favourite characters from other tales [including Mr Tod, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Ribby and Tabitha Twitchit].

"And, most excitingly, our treasured, mischievous Peter Rabbit makes an appearance - albeit older, slower and portlier!"

 

Quentin Blake, best known for his work with Roald Dahl, has illustrated the story. He said: "It seemed almost incredible when, early in 2015, I was sent the manuscript of a story by Beatrix Potter; one which had lain unpublished for 100 years and which, with the exception of a single drawing, she had never illustrated.

 

"I liked the story immediately - it's full of incident and mischief and character -and I was fascinated to think that I was being asked to draw pictures for it.

 

"I have a strange feeling that it might have been waiting for me."