From Tots to Teens, StarMag
BEATRIX Potter's tales are going to be "re-vamped" for the present generation of children. An animated TV series featuring beloved characters like Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten is due out in 2011, along with the inevitable merchandise like stationery, toys and, probably, new "as-seen-on-TV" books.
In an interview with The Guardian, a spokesperson from Chorion, the licensing agent of Potter's publisher, Frederick Warne, declared that the children's classics are bought chiefly by "posh to middle class" people on both sides of the Atlantic. The new TV series is supposed to widen the appeal of the stories and characters. One way is for the stories to be updated so that they are "appropriate" for the present-day kids.
So, does this mean we'll see Peter Rabbit dressed in jeans and a football shirt? Will Jemima wear a Juicy Couture tracksuit? And will Tabitha Tittlemouse be seen obsessively dusting her brand new plasma screen TV?
Apparently, viewers will not learn that Peter Rabbit's father was made into a pie by Mrs MacGregor, the farmer's wife. Well, obvously, death is a highly inappropriate subject for children. We should let the dear innocents think, for as long as possible, that living things simply go to sleep for ever or just disappear into thin air. Also, it's not very nice to suggest to children that rabbits (those adorable cuddly creatures) are considered pests by some (Australian kids are the exception, many having grown up learning that M is for myxomatosis). Perhaps Peter's father will be resurrected for the new series. Perhaps he'll just be an absent dad - permanently away on business, or in rehab.
If Potter's animals go the same route as A. A. Milne's, they will eventually speak with an American accent, which is more accessible to the Americans, as well as the rest of the world, thanks to MTV and Sponge Bob. Frederick Warne and Chorion may even go so far as introducing new characters to Potter's original cast. In My Friends Tigger & Pooh, a little girl named Darby is the central human character. Christopher Robbin now rarely appears and when he does, sounds that he's never even heard of Ashdown Forest in his life. There is also Lumpy the Heffalump, a few other animals, and Buster, the dog (who, unlike the series' other furry creatures, doesn't speak).
I don't know how many of Potter's original tales will be deemed suitable for 21st century children. Many of her stories are explicitly or implicitly about their main characters being delicious, or else viewing other characters as potential meals. Potter's animals are sweet because Potter was a talented artist who captured incredibly well the look of the real animals that inspired her. They rarely have adorable personalities, and Potter did not write sentimental little tales about friendship and living in harmony. If a creature was likely to want to eat another in their natural habitat, then that was how Potter portrayed them, despite the waistcoats or bonnets they wore.
I must admit that, as a child, I was, albeit briefly, dismayed that Pig Wig (from The Tale of Pigling Bland) was being fattened up for slaughter - this despite not being at all upset by the sight of the whole roast pigs displayed in the marketplace during the Hungry Ghost Festival. But Pig Wig's black face is terribly dear above the frilled collar of her blue dress. Obviously, human garb makes her much more than just so many pounds of bacon and ham, and TV executives will no doubt see Potter's portrayal of Pigling Bland's love interest as potential sandwich filler especially perverse and cruel. They will want to avoid the risk of toddlers needing therapy post-Potter and so, I forsee lots of saccharine sweet new plots being cooked up. These will introduce Potter to children who would otherwise never have heard of her, but then what would be the point if the new tales only look like the real thing.
Apparently, viewers will not learn that Peter Rabbit's father was made into a pie by Mrs MacGregor, the farmer's wife. Well, obvously, death is a highly inappropriate subject for children. We should let the dear innocents think, for as long as possible, that living things simply go to sleep for ever or just disappear into thin air. Also, it's not very nice to suggest to children that rabbits (those adorable cuddly creatures) are considered pests by some (Australian kids are the exception, many having grown up learning that M is for myxomatosis). Perhaps Peter's father will be resurrected for the new series. Perhaps he'll just be an absent dad - permanently away on business, or in rehab.
If Potter's animals go the same route as A. A. Milne's, they will eventually speak with an American accent, which is more accessible to the Americans, as well as the rest of the world, thanks to MTV and Sponge Bob. Frederick Warne and Chorion may even go so far as introducing new characters to Potter's original cast. In My Friends Tigger & Pooh, a little girl named Darby is the central human character. Christopher Robbin now rarely appears and when he does, sounds that he's never even heard of Ashdown Forest in his life. There is also Lumpy the Heffalump, a few other animals, and Buster, the dog (who, unlike the series' other furry creatures, doesn't speak).
I don't know how many of Potter's original tales will be deemed suitable for 21st century children. Many of her stories are explicitly or implicitly about their main characters being delicious, or else viewing other characters as potential meals. Potter's animals are sweet because Potter was a talented artist who captured incredibly well the look of the real animals that inspired her. They rarely have adorable personalities, and Potter did not write sentimental little tales about friendship and living in harmony. If a creature was likely to want to eat another in their natural habitat, then that was how Potter portrayed them, despite the waistcoats or bonnets they wore.
Thansk for the heads up, I will try to get the original books before they are replaced. Is there a "complete" Beatrix Potter book or series of books?
Posted by: Peter | Friday, January 22, 2010 at 17:31
I have just been catching up on your blog and there is so much good stuff that I am sorry I don't have time to comment on all the films and books - I have seen the wonderful bright star film and am amazed you are the great great granddaughter of severn - how exciting for you - and I have been interested to see so much info about reading - wish I could buy many of these books for my daughter but will need to wait a few years
Posted by: Johanna | Monday, January 11, 2010 at 06:02