Marking the 100th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," the classic children's story about a mischievous little rabbit, Penguin Putnam Publishing is declaring 2002 as the official Year of Peter Rabbit. The timeless story, first published in October of 1902 by Frederick Warne & Company, is consistently ranked among the best-selling children's books of all time. Honoring Peter Rabbit as one of the world's most popular and recognized children's literary characters, Penguin Putnam Publishing is orchestrating a number of fun and exciting festivities for the entire family throughout 2002.

"In celebrating 2002 as the year of Peter Rabbit, we've organized a number of special events across the country which the whole family will enjoy," said Jessica Giat, Director of Marketing; Consumer Products for Penguin Putnam Publishing. "We'll also be introducing several new commemorative Peter Rabbit collectibles as well as a line of contemporary infant products designed to introduce this lovable character to a whole new generation of friends and admirers."

Among the events planned to celebrate "The Year Of Peter Rabbit" will be exhibitions at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Children's Museum of Manhattan. The exhibits will feature participatory activities as well as opportunities to see first-hand some of the rare original watercolor illustrations of Beatrix Potter. Special community outreach programs will be announced in the New Year, as well as the unveiling of a re-designed Peter Rabbit Web site (http://www.peterrabbit.com).

Some 100 million Beatrix Potter books have been sold worldwide just since 1984, supporting a publishing and licensing program that generates $500 million in international retail sales each year. With more than 200 companies worldwide now licensing Beatrix Potter merchandise, the franchise is one of the largest international merchandising programs.