The first of Beatrix Potter's tales - the Tale of Peter Rabbit - started initially as a tale in a letter to the son of her governess, Noel. She revised the story into a book but was unable to find a publisher so published it herself. After its success, Frederick Warne agreed to publish it if she coloured the illustrations. Beatrix went on to write and illustrate a further 22 tales, all of which have become classic best sellers.