This is an essential guide for any devotee of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit and of illustrators of childrens books during this period. Illustrated with eight pages of color photographs, this bibliography contains over 300 entries published between 1904 and 1980. It seeks to describe all titles published in the United States that are versions of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, or use the name of Peter Rabbit, and were not authorized by Frederick Warne.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first issued privately in a total of 450 copies by Beatrix Potter and was then published by Frederick Warne in 1902. Obtaining copyright in the USA at that time was fraught with difficulties, particularly for foreign publishers. Warne failed to comply with the formalities, and the book entered the public domain in the USA. The book immediately became a huge commercial success throughout the world and has remained that way ever since. Between 1904 and 1980, about 80 publishers issued their own versions of the story.

In many cases the text and/or illustrations did not follow Potters originals, and others were credited as the author and illustrator. Some books are to be regarded as derivatives of the well-known story. The books are arranged alphabetically by publisher, and entries detail publisher, illustrator, title page, binding, and more. Following the bibliography is a list of further readings, and indexes of titles, authors and illustrators.