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The World of Beatrix Potter #23
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson
Little pig Robinson goes to market for his aunts and, after a series of unexpected and amazing adventures, including an unexpected sea voyage, settles to a pleasant life on an island in the South Seas.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1930
28 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,324 books2,133 followersHelen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, mycologist, and conservationist who is best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.
Born into a wealthy household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Because she was a woman, her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology.
In her thirties, Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding.
Potter eventually published 24 children's books, the most recent being The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (2016), and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time.
In her forties, she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943 and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.
Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films, and in animation.
Born into a wealthy household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Because she was a woman, her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology.
In her thirties, Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding.
Potter eventually published 24 children's books, the most recent being The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (2016), and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time.
In her forties, she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943 and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.
Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films, and in animation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 20, 2020
now i wanna go to the seaside.
i don't really know why.
i don't really know why.
July 9, 2015
I had always looked at this book with some trepidation, glaring back at me as it did so in its Tolstoyan enormity (it is over 100 pages long, a mammoth tome in the Beatrix Potter catalogue) from the bookshelf, but eventually I realised there was no denying the inevitability of my having to take it down and actually read it. Good job too, as it is rather good.
Plot-wise it is a rather simple tale of a rather simple pig, who is sent to town for provisions for his aunts, but comes a-cropper when he meets up with a friendly, but not terribly trustworthy man. The ensuing sea journey for Robinson is one which he enjoys up to the point when the ship's cat lets him know that the trip is not likely to end well for him, and arranges for Robinson to escape. Literary references abound in this dramatic story (bong trees, owls, desert islands etc.) which only add to the enjoyment. So don't be put off by the size, just sit down and devote a good hour (including a tea-break) or so of your time to this classic.
Plot-wise it is a rather simple tale of a rather simple pig, who is sent to town for provisions for his aunts, but comes a-cropper when he meets up with a friendly, but not terribly trustworthy man. The ensuing sea journey for Robinson is one which he enjoys up to the point when the ship's cat lets him know that the trip is not likely to end well for him, and arranges for Robinson to escape. Literary references abound in this dramatic story (bong trees, owls, desert islands etc.) which only add to the enjoyment. So don't be put off by the size, just sit down and devote a good hour (including a tea-break) or so of your time to this classic.
October 30, 2015
This is the first Beatrix Potter book I've ever read. She definitely writes at a higher level than most of the garbage being turned out for children today. I enjoyed her quirky style of blending talking animals with humans. The tale is enjoyable.
January 23, 2022
Another wonderful book. However, it does stand out for its length, but not in a good way.
I can appreciate that Beatrix Potter tried to write an "Ulysses" like story, it becomes somewhat tedious to read, as one thinks of Potter's books as small short stories.
Essentially, it's a little pig who went to market and ended up as Robinson Crusoe. There could have been shaved a great deal off the book without it losing the plot.
I can appreciate that Beatrix Potter tried to write an "Ulysses" like story, it becomes somewhat tedious to read, as one thinks of Potter's books as small short stories.
Essentially, it's a little pig who went to market and ended up as Robinson Crusoe. There could have been shaved a great deal off the book without it losing the plot.
April 3, 2019
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson is very different from most of Beatrix Potter's books, and not just because it is fairly long. This story, like most of Potter's books, takes place in a world where animals wear clothes, have jobs, and can speak English, yet are still in danger of being eaten by the humans they interact with. But in Little Pig Robinson, this danger is much more pervasive, making it a less whimsical story than many others. But this is balanced out beautifully with an added touch of fantasy: Edward Lear's poem "The Owl and the Pussycat" becomes a significant part of the tale, and fans of the poem will enjoy the way it was worked into the book.
Despite its differences from Beatrix Potter's more celebrated tales, The Tale of Little Pig Robinson was still a story that I very much enjoyed, especially the lovely and imaginative ending!
Despite its differences from Beatrix Potter's more celebrated tales, The Tale of Little Pig Robinson was still a story that I very much enjoyed, especially the lovely and imaginative ending!
March 5, 2010
This was by far the longest of the Beatrix Potter books in my collection. I didn't read this one aloud to Natalie because I didn't think I would enjoy it enough to keep going. This was true. After reading so much of Beatrix Potter, I've gotten very used to her writing style. She details life in her time period, which seems odd to me because these things are so foreign to us now. She spends a lot of time telling us names of ships and describing the country side and explain everything about the market place. But, there isn't enough plot for me in most of her stories, and a story this long needs plot. Also, I find it a little disturbing to have such a focus be on Robinson avoiding being eaten. This is a children book after all, but I guess at the same time that many children in her time period would have been on closer terms with their food.
January 16, 2024
I didn't realise that Little Pig Robinson was linked to the owl and the pussycat in the pea green boat. The threesome were created by Edward Lear in 1872. Beatrix Potter probably read Lear's nonsense poem when she was a girl - she was born in 1866. Creatively she explains how Little Pig Robinson got to be in the pea green boat.
Her mix of animals doing human things among humans in a human world is enthralling and brings out the good and bad emotions of each.
It's touch and go as to whether Little Pig Robinson will be made into sausages but I cheered as he escaped the butcher's knife to make it into a boat destined for the land where the bong tree grows.
Her mix of animals doing human things among humans in a human world is enthralling and brings out the good and bad emotions of each.
It's touch and go as to whether Little Pig Robinson will be made into sausages but I cheered as he escaped the butcher's knife to make it into a boat destined for the land where the bong tree grows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2020
At first it looks like an every day story where the reader simply follows little pig Robinson to the market to sell Aunt Porcas wares. It's only at the end of market day that his story takes an unexpected turn which grips you for a second, but all ends well that is well.
Fun little tale.
Fun little tale.
July 8, 2025
I don't think I have read a chapter book from Potter before.
This was a departure, too, in that her talking animals talked to people, as well as each other, and no one thought it peculiar. I wonder if Ms. Potter was a vegetarian. Her protagonist lived in a world where his kind frequently ended up on a plate, but it was just one of those distasteful facts of life one deals with. Fortunately for him, that was not his fate.
This was a departure, too, in that her talking animals talked to people, as well as each other, and no one thought it peculiar. I wonder if Ms. Potter was a vegetarian. Her protagonist lived in a world where his kind frequently ended up on a plate, but it was just one of those distasteful facts of life one deals with. Fortunately for him, that was not his fate.
June 9, 2022
It’s one of her longer books, with several chapters in it.
A young pig is sent to market by his two aunts. What happens I will not say, but only elude to the fact that one of the words in the title gives it away. Clever!
Ages: 3 - 8
Cleanliness: mentions snuff, tobacco, a pipe, and playing cards.
A young pig is sent to market by his two aunts. What happens I will not say, but only elude to the fact that one of the words in the title gives it away. Clever!
Ages: 3 - 8
Cleanliness: mentions snuff, tobacco, a pipe, and playing cards.
March 13, 2022
Petualangan yang seru, gemes sama si babi kecil Robinson, tapi entah kenapa rasanya endingnya agak mengganjal, seperti belum tamat..
Ilustrasinya lucu, sayang di edisi terjemahan hanya afa 6 ilustrasi yang berwarna, seandainya semua ilustrasi dibuat berwarna tentu akan lebih cantik❤
Ilustrasinya lucu, sayang di edisi terjemahan hanya afa 6 ilustrasi yang berwarna, seandainya semua ilustrasi dibuat berwarna tentu akan lebih cantik❤
December 1, 2024
an epic, by Beatrix Potter standards. these stories of children being cast adrift from home keep making me sad, but this was so fun too, and surprisingly involved. i am officially done with all the peter rabbit books, fortunately having saved the longest and most interesting one for last
June 8, 2025
I can't describe how confused I feel about this book. Poor little Pig Robinson, I hope that his aunts know that he is alright. I feel a bit confused about the world where pigs and humans live together. Pigs were clothes and they can talk but they are still eaten by humans.
It is the longest of Beatrix Potter books.
It is the longest of Beatrix Potter books.
August 1, 2017
This is a small chapter book. Mostly black and white drawings. This is about the Pig Robinson going into the city. He is lured onto a ship and fattened for a feast. A cat helps him escape his day with death onto an island. It's a twisty tale on the archetype of the fool. A good little story.
November 8, 2017
Leitura para o projeto #nestórias.
May 17, 2018
I quite enjoyed this little adventure tale. I especially like the mixing of animal and human attributes given to the animal characters. And pigs! Love the pigs and the drawings of the pigs.
June 19, 2019
A favorite growing up. I read it over and over. It’s just as good now.
March 13, 2022
ka adventurous ba aning baboya oys
December 27, 2024
The story stand out for its length, but not in a good way. It was very confussing at the start. The drawings aren't that great either.
February 27, 2021
This one was cute, almost not toddler appropriate but it had a happy ending haha I was surprised at the length of this one!
November 13, 2021
It ended abruptly and I really was hoping for more time on the island, beautifully illustrated and told with Potter’s usual charm
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April 27, 2019
Despite this being number nineteen in the little Peter Rabbit World Collection, this story was one of the first Beatrix Potter ever wrote.
This is much in evidence, it being very unlike a lot of her other works, both in length and subject matter. It is heavily influenced by Robinson Crusoe and The Owl and the Pussycat and tells the tale of the pig from the latter poem by Edward Lear.
The illustrations are predominantly black-and-white, with a few little watercolours thrown in. Whilst I prefer Beatrix's longer stories, this one felt a little off. There were too many humans mixing with animals and, although wanting to eat Little Pig Robinson is a little on the dark side, it doesn't quite hold up to the better of her stories.
It is, however, written nicely and tells an interesting if quite plain story compared to her other tales. Perhaps a little too long and I'm thankful she decided upon the shorter format.
This is much in evidence, it being very unlike a lot of her other works, both in length and subject matter. It is heavily influenced by Robinson Crusoe and The Owl and the Pussycat and tells the tale of the pig from the latter poem by Edward Lear.
The illustrations are predominantly black-and-white, with a few little watercolours thrown in. Whilst I prefer Beatrix's longer stories, this one felt a little off. There were too many humans mixing with animals and, although wanting to eat Little Pig Robinson is a little on the dark side, it doesn't quite hold up to the better of her stories.
It is, however, written nicely and tells an interesting if quite plain story compared to her other tales. Perhaps a little too long and I'm thankful she decided upon the shorter format.
July 4, 2019
Once upon a time, there was a cosy thatched cottage called Piggery Porcombe. In that cottage there lived three pigs – Miss Dorcas, Miss Porcas, and Little Pig Robinson. Little Pig Robinson was the nephew of the Misses Dorcas and Porcas, and he was often on the trot helping his aunts with chores and crying “Wee, wee, wee!” But none of the three pigs dreamed that Little Pig Robinson might be in any danger when he set off to market to buy the cabbage seed, darning wool, and soap that his aunts needed. No indeed! But he was in danger, for when he attended market, he was met and befriended by a ship’s cook…
Before Little Pig Robinson knows what is happening, he has been hoisted aboard Pound of Candles and is out at sea! It really is too horrible a thought, but it seems that the sailors want to eat him! Is there any way that Little Pig Robinson can escape from the doom awaiting him?
Before Little Pig Robinson knows what is happening, he has been hoisted aboard Pound of Candles and is out at sea! It really is too horrible a thought, but it seems that the sailors want to eat him! Is there any way that Little Pig Robinson can escape from the doom awaiting him?
August 30, 2014
Weird combo of "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "Robinson Crusoe" with an idiot pig, a seriously self centered dumbo. I love Potter's descriptions of fields and valleys and the country, but she has serious storytelling issues, and the whole animal/person/human line goes weird all the time...
March 5, 2015
Kitty helps Piggy escape being a pork chop.
May 16, 2022
Strangely disconnected, unsatisfying tale but still full of charming domestic detail and beautiful illustrations.
November 26, 2025
3 stars
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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
A pig named Robinson is sent off by his aunts to the market. Along the way he finds himself caught up in a lot of adventures. Until finally he finds himself on a boat in which the sailors intend to eat him.
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REVIEW:
Another kind of morbid tale. Not a huge surprise now that I've read all of Beatrix's other stories, but there you have it.
This was quite the adventure though and pretty fun along the way.
Two things bugged me though.
First, what was the point of the beginning with the cat going to port? It seemed like a totally different story. I know she spotted Robinson, which led to the telling of his story. But it still felt out of place to me.
The other thing is I felt like the ending wasn't satisfying. I suppose Robinson wants to stay on the island. But it seemed like his aunts really missed him and I would've liked to see him go back to reunite with them.
Overall it was okay. A pretty good adventure, but with a few things I didn't like about it.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
A pig named Robinson is sent off by his aunts to the market. Along the way he finds himself caught up in a lot of adventures. Until finally he finds himself on a boat in which the sailors intend to eat him.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
Another kind of morbid tale. Not a huge surprise now that I've read all of Beatrix's other stories, but there you have it.
This was quite the adventure though and pretty fun along the way.
Two things bugged me though.
First, what was the point of the beginning with the cat going to port? It seemed like a totally different story. I know she spotted Robinson, which led to the telling of his story. But it still felt out of place to me.
The other thing is I felt like the ending wasn't satisfying. I suppose Robinson wants to stay on the island. But it seemed like his aunts really missed him and I would've liked to see him go back to reunite with them.
Overall it was okay. A pretty good adventure, but with a few things I didn't like about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
Firstly, holding her pocket picture book printed in 1988 was an experience all if it’s own. Secondly, to read her work is like having a cup of tea in her garden. Her familiar style and her ability to weave her stories, in and around and then finally through your heart is unmistakably Potter. I had not read this story so it was with fresh eyes that I stumbled into an account of Pig Robertson. One of my favorite lines was describing Robinson’s two aunts...Miss Dorcas and Miss Porcas: “They led prosperous uneventful lives, and their end was bacon. But their nephew Robinson has the most peculiar adventures that ever happened to a pig.” This sets up the stage for the adventure about to befall Robinson. And all I can say about the wonderful story is “Wee, wee, wee!” #picturebook #animalstories #authorillustrator
June 25, 2025
The longest "little book", but one of my least favourites. The pig stories just don't really appeal to me (despite the first chapter in this one being dedicated to a cat's story and there being another cat on the boat too). I also missed the wealth of full-colour illustrations, this one had a lot more line drawings instead. Finally, it's the book where the anthropomorphic animals and humans interact in the most confusing way to date. E.g. the cat at the start was cat enough to not be able to stir a pot, yet she walked on hind legs and was fully dressed to pick up fish from the harbour. Humans eat pork / ham / bacon, yet they also socialise with the same pigs (which reminds me, what happened to the pig aboard the ship at the start? Was that the cook's latest victim? Yikes). I suppose it's a decent children's tale about "stranger danger" but it wasn't for me. 2.5 stars.
February 6, 2022
What a load of nonsense! If I really wanted to know the origin story of the pig in The Owl and the Pussy-Cat (which, strangely enough, I never have), I'd want it to make considerably more sense than these disjointed, weird and overly-detailed eight chapters. This book is more ambitious than Potter's other works, with a lot of different settings and characters, but these turn out to be ill-conceived in my opinion. It is fact, though, that the cat is the female in the het couple of Lear's classic tale, but Potter claims that a tom-cat in her story is the Pussy-Cat! Well, that's just the last straw.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews