The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

by Beatrix Potter

Book Overview

Squirrel Nutkin would rather ask an old owl riddles than gather nuts with the other squirrels.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0723205930
• ISBN13: 9780723205937
• Release Date: January 1903
• Publisher: Frederick Warne and Company
• Length: 58 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Oh my!

But Squirrel Nutkin! Where are your clothes?!

An Interesting Tale, Told with Wit

In this beautifully illustrated children's tale, a lone, disrespectful, but rather smart squirrel puts an old owl's nerves to the test. In an attempt to gain favor with an owl (Mr. Brown), all the other squirrels except Mr. Nutkin bring Mr. Brown food offerings everyday in exchange for permission from him to gather nuts on his island. Mr. Nutkin brings Mr. Brown nothing but sarcastic riddles. In the end, the Mr. Brown captures Mr. Nutkin, and when Mr. Nutkin tries to escape, his tail is cut in half. A little violent, but obviously nothing excessive. I believe this book teaches the importance of polite manners. Mr. Nutkin's riddles are also very thought provoking. Darien Summers, author of The Mischievous Hare, a childrens book. The Mischievous Hare

Squirrel's Tail Tale

Squirrel Nutkin was one of the finest and most imaginative of Ms Potter's stories and the only one I place above it is the Tale of Peter Rabbit. Nutkin is the name of a cheeky and insolent squirrel who thinks far too much of himself until he is caught by an Owl who has both patience and wisdom as he endures many insults from Nutkin. At last he reacts and it appears that it is the end for the impudent squirrel. At the last moment he escapes from the owl's home when his tail breaks in two and he scurries off to safety. He is left with a partial tail as a reminder to mind his manners in the future. An important correction is necessary regarding this owing to an error in an above review. Nutkin did NOT chew his tail off to escape and I invite the reviewer to actually read the book so she understands this important point. This is a wonderful story for young children with many inportant messages. My own children greatly enjoyed these tales when they were young and still talk about them from time to time. There is a reason why Beatrix Potter's books remain among the best selling childrens books of all time. Her stories and the lessons therein are timeless and the moral absolutes are of critical value at a time when our anything goes culture is in chaos and espouses the worst behavior possible. It is truly refreshing and hopeful that brilliant childrens tales written in 1903 still have much to teach us in 2007.

"A tale about a tail..."

This cute little book was written and illustrated by the great Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) in 1903, the second of her many wonderful stories. This book tells the tale of Squirrel Nutkin, who refuses to show respect for an important owl, and pays the price. Overall, I found this to be a cute story, and a lot of fun to read to my little one. The "riddles" are obvious in their answer, but still a lot of fun to read. So, as with all of Ms. Potter's works, I highly recommend this book!

Wonderful classic

This is a delightful timeless Tale about an misbehaving squirrel. The riddles are delightful, and the vocabulary exquisite. Unfortunately, some of the reviewers have looked at this story with the eyes and wisdom of this present age. In time, we will see value in teaching that good can overcome evil, rather than pretending that evil simply doesn't exist. Owls do eat squirrels, impertinance is punished. That is life. Also, to say that he gnaws his tail off is absolutely untrue and ridiculous. It breaks(gorelessly)in the struggle. I love it, as does my daughter.

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is one of my favorite Beatrix Potter stories along with The Tailor of Gloucester and The Tale of Ginger and Pickles. It is the story of a rather mischievous young squirrel named Nutkin who loves to tease old Mr. Brown, the owl who lives on an island filled with nut trees. The little rythmes and verses Nutkin recites throughout the story are absolutely delightful. The illustrations are one of Ms. Potter's finest---filled with wonderful detail and color. Some might be offended by the way Nutkin is punished by old Mr. Brown---mainly by having his tail torn off, but if one thinks about it that is the way owls behave in nature. Ms. Potter never honeys things over and her tales always remain a joy to read. Children should not miss out reading this humorous tale.