The Burgess Animal Book for Children
By Thornton W. Burgess
Published 1920
In this book, Peter Rabbit decides that he wants to learn more about his many relatives. He goes to school at the feet of Old Mother Nature at the edge of the Green Forest. Day after day, Peter meets different animals and asks them many questions.
He learns about his cousins the hares and his neighbors the squirrels. He even meets big animals like Buster Bear and tiny ones like Danny Meadow Mouse. This book is like a storybook and a science book mixed into one. It shows how every animal is built perfectly for the place where they live. By the end of the story, Peter realizes that the world is much bigger and more wonderful than he ever imagined.
Main Themes: Family, Discovery, and Diversity
Nature & Character Connection
Old Mother Nature: The Wise Teacher
Old Mother Nature represents the rules and patterns we see in the world. In the book, she is the one who explains why the squirrel has a bushy tail or why the beaver has flat teeth. In real life, we call this science or biology. Burgess uses her character to show that everything in nature has a reason. Students learn that animals do not just look a certain way by accident. They have special tools like claws or fur to help them survive in their homes.
The Animal Cousins: Groups and Families
A big part of this book is about how animals are related. Peter is surprised to find out that he has cousins who live in the snow and others who live in the desert. In nature, we put animals into groups like "mammals" or "rodents." This book introduces these big ideas in a way that is easy to understand. It teaches children that even though animals might look different, they can still be part of the same big family.
The Classroom in the Woods: Learning by Watching
Peter learns by sitting still and watching the animals. This is exactly what real scientists do when they study nature. They use their eyes and ears to see how animals behave. The story encourages students to be like Peter Rabbit. It shows them that they can learn a lot about the world just by being quiet and paying attention to the creatures in their own backyard.
Simple Activity Ideas
Meet the Cousins: Print out pictures of a pet rabbit and a wild jackrabbit. Have students look for things that are the same and things that are different.
Animal Tool Kit: Give students a few items like a spoon (for a beak) or a pair of tongs (for claws). Ask them to show how an animal might use these "tools" to find food.
Peter’s Field Journal: Have students draw a picture of one animal from the book. They can write one thing they learned about that animal's "family" underneath the drawing.
Discussion Prompts
On Asking Questions: Peter Rabbit asks a lot of questions. Is it good to be curious like Peter? Why?
On Differences: Why do you think some squirrels live in trees while others live in the ground?
On Mother Nature: If you could ask Old Mother Nature one question about an animal, what would it be?
Morals & Values Learned
The Joy of Learning: We learn that finding out new things about the world is an exciting adventure.
Respect for All Life: Every animal is important to Mother Nature regardless of how big or small it is.
Kindness to Strangers: Peter is kind to every new animal he meets. He teaches us to be welcoming to those who are different from us.
Observation: The best way to understand our world is to watch and listen with a respectful heart.
Public Domain Notice: The original text of this book is in the public domain. Site layout, study guides, and supplemental materials are © burgess-books.com.
