Review: The Tale of Mr. Tod

The Tale of Mr. Tod by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This thrilling tale reprises the characters of Benjamin Bunny (now grown, and married to Flopsy) and Peter Rabbit. Mr. Bouncer has been left in charge of his grandchildren ("seven of them, all twins"*) when he foolishly invites in Tommy Brock for a smoke and a cuppa. Such vices lead to disaster, for Mr. Bouncer falls asleep and Brock kidnaps the babies with the evil intention of making a meal of them. Benjamin and Peter race to rescue the children, but the villain is ultimately foiled by his nemesis, Mr. Tod. It's very like the The Da Vinci Code for toddlers, except for being believable with an active hero. Favorite line: the crockery was smashed to atoms.

*An archaic meaning of "twins" perhaps?

Personal copy

View all my reviews