Beatrix Potter tale Kitty-in-Boots uncovered after 100 years

A new story written by Beatrix Potter more than 100 years ago, featuring Peter Rabbit, is to be published for the first time.

The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots was rediscovered by publisher Jo Hanks after she found a reference to it in an out-of-print Potter biography, according to BBC.

Quentin Blake, best known for his work with Roald Dahl, has illustrated the story, to be published in September.

Potter had only completed a single drawing to go with the manuscript.

She sent the story to her publisher in 1914, saying it was about “a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life”.

The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots also features an appearance from an “older, slower” version of Peter Rabbit.

Story ‘waiting for Blake’

Ms Hanks, a publisher at Penguin Random House Children’s, found a reference to Potter’s letter to her publisher and the unedited manuscript in the 1970s literary history about the author.

Three manuscripts were then found in the Victoria and Albert Museum archive, handwritten in school notebooks – a rough colour sketch of Kitty-in-Boots, a pencil sketch of villain Mr Tod and a dummy book, with some of the manuscript laid out.

Potter said in letters, also kept in the archive, that she had wanted to finish the story but “interruptions began”, including the First World War, her marriage and illness.

Ms Hanks said: “The tale really is the best of Beatrix Potter.

“It has double identities, colourful villains and a number of favourite characters from other tales [including Mr. Tod, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Ribby and Tabitha Twitchit].

“And, most excitingly, our treasured, mischievous Peter Rabbit makes an appearance – albeit older, slower and portlier!”

“I liked the story immediately – it’s full of incident and mischief and character -and I was fascinated to think that I was being asked to draw pictures for it.

“I have a strange feeling that it might have been waiting for me.”

 H.Z