The Tale of Ginger & Pickles by Beatrix Potter

First published 1909
57 pages, 13 color illustrations, 20 black & white illustrations

Ginger and Pickles run the village shop. However, the over extension of credit necessitates that the give up their shop. Their customers are less than pleased.

The History Behind the Tale (Linder (197-204):
The Tale of Ginger and Pickles began as a present to Harold Warne's daughter Louie. A great many of Beatrix's beloved characters frequent the shop. They include Peter Rabbit and Mrs. Tiggy-winkle. Ginger and Pickles, like The Pie & the Patty-pan and The Roly-Poly Pudding was originally published in a larger format. Beatrix expanded her original manuscript to introduce John Taylor, a resident of Sawrey, as a dormouse in the book. According to Linder, many prefer the original manuscript to the published one as the subplot of John Dormouse makes the story as a whole unbalanced.

Miniature Letters (Linder 84):
Ginger & Pickles to Lucinda Doll
Lucinda Doll to Ginger & Pickles
Ginger & Pickles to Lucinda Doll

My thoughts: While Ginger & Pickles is not a favorite of mine as a story, the color illustrations are particularly well done. I liked seeing the characters from all of the other books appear in the shop. I thought Peter Rabbit looked rather sickly when he visits the shop.

Favorite Illustrations: Customers outside the shop (18, color), The Dormouse House (47, color)

I hope you've enjoyed my discussion of The Tale of Ginger and Pickles. This concludes my Beatrix Potter Reading Project. I'll be back with you shortly with a wrap-up discussion of the project. Until then, happy reading!