Picture Book Classics
The picture book is a genuinely distinct commercial form, and the characters that come out of it behave differently from any other property in this catalogue: they are carried by illustration rather than plot, they are read aloud rather than watched, and their licensed asset is usually a specific drawing rather than a story. Several began as private gifts — Beatrix Potter first wrote Peter Rabbit in a letter to a sick child, Dick Bruna invented Miffy for his son, and the Reverend W. Awdry made up Thomas to entertain a boy with measles.
About Picture Book Classics
The picture book is a genuinely distinct commercial form, and the characters that come out of it behave differently from any other property in this catalogue: they are carried by illustration rather than plot, they are read aloud rather than watched, and their licensed asset is usually a specific drawing rather than a story. Several began as private gifts — Beatrix Potter first wrote Peter Rabbit in a letter to a sick child, Dick Bruna invented Miffy for his son, and the Reverend W. Awdry made up Thomas to entertain a boy with measles. Potter is also the form's commercial pioneer: she registered a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903, which is among the earliest examples of licensed character merchandise anywhere.
Beatrix Potter registered a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903 — among the earliest licensed character merchandise on record.
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Key eras
| Era | Years | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| The Potter era | 1902–1930 | Peter Rabbit, and the first character licensing. |
| Post-war expansion | 1941–1969 | Curious George, Thomas, Miffy, Paddington, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. |
| Modern | 1999– | The Gruffalo and a wave of rhyming picture books with screen adaptations. |