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The World of Beatrix Potter #20
Appley-Dappley's Nursery Rhymes
Short nursery rhymes about a mouse named Appley Dapply, a rabbit named Cottontail, a porcupine named Mr. Pricklepin, a mouse with many children, a mound-making mole, a potato-peeling pig, and a dapper guinea pig.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1917
10 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,360 books2,143 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 17, 2023
Appley Dappley, our titular mouse friend is dining happily from "somebody's cupboard" in "somebody's house":
"In somebody's cupboard
There's everything nice,
Cake, cheese, jam, biscuits,
-All charming for mice!
Here, Ms. Potter is clearly teaching children never to be afraid of taking what they need from the 1%, and when push comes to shove, to feel comfortable actually Eating The Rich. She, and most children, know exactly who "Somebody" is: their cupboards will tell.
Mr. Pricklepin reminded me of my own son, long ago when he was small and adorable. He was asked to bear the rings in a wedding. He offered that instead of wearing the usual "falling in love clothes" wouldn't it be more interesting if he donned a "pincushion man outfit"?
Perhaps he was onto something, now that I think of it; shouldn't these rites of chattel exchange be dressed in more appropriate ritual "husbandry" costumes?
Hooray for rhymes!
"In somebody's cupboard
There's everything nice,
Cake, cheese, jam, biscuits,
-All charming for mice!
Here, Ms. Potter is clearly teaching children never to be afraid of taking what they need from the 1%, and when push comes to shove, to feel comfortable actually Eating The Rich. She, and most children, know exactly who "Somebody" is: their cupboards will tell.
Mr. Pricklepin reminded me of my own son, long ago when he was small and adorable. He was asked to bear the rings in a wedding. He offered that instead of wearing the usual "falling in love clothes" wouldn't it be more interesting if he donned a "pincushion man outfit"?
Perhaps he was onto something, now that I think of it; shouldn't these rites of chattel exchange be dressed in more appropriate ritual "husbandry" costumes?
Hooray for rhymes!
March 5, 2012
[Continued from here]
The headset-wearing member of the household lent her reserve pair to another afflicted neighbor. And, this morning...
The headset-wearing member of the household lent her reserve pair to another afflicted neighbor. And, this morning...
Now who is this knocking on Cottontail's door?
Tap tappit! Tap tappit! She's heard it before.
But when she looks out there is nobody there
Just a returned headset left out on the stair.
There it is again! Tap tap tappit!
Why, I do believe it's a Lindt chocolate rabbit!
February 17, 2020
in a single word, charming
April 28, 2021
Silly rhymes with beautiful pictures!
March 2, 2021
My favorite illustrations by Beatrix Potter
January 31, 2015
Apply Dappley was a little brown mouse who likes cake, cheese, jam, biscuits and pies. And she satisfies her craving by raiding a cupboard in somebody's house.
Cottontail is a rabbit who is left some carrots on her doorstep and discovers that they were left by a black rabbit admirer; Mr Pricklepan is a hedgehog who lives in 'an ash over the way'; Diggory Delvet is a mole who leaves mounds of earth behind him and there is also an amiable guinea pig plus a mouse living in a shoe house.
Beatrix Potter's illustrations capture them all and these are augmented by charming little verses for children of all ages to enjoy.
Cottontail is a rabbit who is left some carrots on her doorstep and discovers that they were left by a black rabbit admirer; Mr Pricklepan is a hedgehog who lives in 'an ash over the way'; Diggory Delvet is a mole who leaves mounds of earth behind him and there is also an amiable guinea pig plus a mouse living in a shoe house.
Beatrix Potter's illustrations capture them all and these are augmented by charming little verses for children of all ages to enjoy.
March 26, 2024
4 stars. I love the illustrations in this tiny book. This is a collection of nursery rhymes and mini poems, all very cute and enjoyable. An excellent book for children, and especially suited as a read-aloud. :) Apply Dapply is probably my favourite but I love them all!
July 19, 2017
Simple nursery rhymes with beautiful pictures. A quick read with short rhymes. Check out the artwork.
December 30, 2023
2.5/5
Another collection of nursery rhymes without a story itself.
I wasn't as surprised cause I read the other nursery rhymes book before this one but I just didn't enjoy it as the rest of the books that have a plot.
So this was okay and a fast read.
Another collection of nursery rhymes without a story itself.
I wasn't as surprised cause I read the other nursery rhymes book before this one but I just didn't enjoy it as the rest of the books that have a plot.
So this was okay and a fast read.
September 3, 2020
Es divertido, mi hijo de 3 años se divirtió mucho repitiendo las historias y los nombres de los personajes.
June 9, 2022
Delightful little rhymes and illustrations for the very young.
Ages: 2 - 4
Ages: 2 - 4
April 7, 2025
I enjoyed the rhymes and illustrations
Children would love this
Children would love this
August 13, 2021
'There once was an amiable guinea pig, who brushed back his hair like a periwig. He wore a sweet tie, as blue as the sky, and his whiskers and buttons were very big.'
What more could you want in a book than that? With his little top hat and cane. Beatrix Potter's illustrations are delightful as always.
What more could you want in a book than that? With his little top hat and cane. Beatrix Potter's illustrations are delightful as always.
April 16, 2017
Familiar, and yet, different. A nice reason behind the original edition (helping her publisher during a period of financial difficulties).
September 25, 2018
This was so lovely!
July 12, 2024
It's a strong reflection of Beatrix Potter's worldview.
The story centers on Apuli Dapuli, a little brown mouse who loves pie. One day, Apuli Dapuli goes on an adventure to someone's cupboard. There, he meets and interacts with animals with a wide variety of personalities, including Peter Rabbit's sister Catontaire, an elderly hedgehog, a great digging mole Horibee, and a fashionable guinea pig.
In the story, Potter skillfully weaves curiosity. Apuli Dapuli's adventures illustrate the fun that curiosity can bring, and sometimes unexpected trouble. On the other hand, his relationships with Catontaire and other characters teach us the importance of bonding with peers.
As I read the book, I was struck by the pure heart of the animals Potter portrays, and the beauty of the warm relationships they create. The adoption of the Warabe Uta format also gave me a sense of familiarity, rhythmic fun, and comfort.
When I picked up this book, I saw illustrations drawn with Potter's delicate brushwork. The expressions and gestures of the animals depicted in the pages are vivid, and each time I read them, I discover something new. In particular, the scene where Apuli Dapuli becomes obsessed with a pie she finds in a cupboard symbolizes innocence and loveliness.
Overall, there is a reason this work is loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults. That is because the world of animals depicted by Potter is very familiar to us. This universal theme is expressed by Potter with a unique charm. It is a wonderful work that warms my heart every time I read it.
The story centers on Apuli Dapuli, a little brown mouse who loves pie. One day, Apuli Dapuli goes on an adventure to someone's cupboard. There, he meets and interacts with animals with a wide variety of personalities, including Peter Rabbit's sister Catontaire, an elderly hedgehog, a great digging mole Horibee, and a fashionable guinea pig.
In the story, Potter skillfully weaves curiosity. Apuli Dapuli's adventures illustrate the fun that curiosity can bring, and sometimes unexpected trouble. On the other hand, his relationships with Catontaire and other characters teach us the importance of bonding with peers.
As I read the book, I was struck by the pure heart of the animals Potter portrays, and the beauty of the warm relationships they create. The adoption of the Warabe Uta format also gave me a sense of familiarity, rhythmic fun, and comfort.
When I picked up this book, I saw illustrations drawn with Potter's delicate brushwork. The expressions and gestures of the animals depicted in the pages are vivid, and each time I read them, I discover something new. In particular, the scene where Apuli Dapuli becomes obsessed with a pie she finds in a cupboard symbolizes innocence and loveliness.
Overall, there is a reason this work is loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults. That is because the world of animals depicted by Potter is very familiar to us. This universal theme is expressed by Potter with a unique charm. It is a wonderful work that warms my heart every time I read it.
September 30, 2017
Awards the book has received (if any): None
Appropriate grade level(s): Pre-K through First grade
Original 3-line summary: The book begins with a little mouse who is eating her food. The story proceeds to go from little creature to little creature describing what they do or what they eat in a rhyme pattern. All of the little animals are different and that is seen through this cute story.
Original 3-line review: The book was very cute in terms of the illustrations and the qualities each animal possessed. However, some of the terms are a bit old fashioned for children and maybe out of date. A simple solution to this would be to just incorporate new vocabulary into the lesson. Overall, the story was very wholesome and educational on the animals and what they are like.
2-3 possible in-class uses: This nursery rhyme can be coupled with a science lesson and used to talk about the different qualities of creatures, or to go over rhyme sequences and new vocabulary.
Appropriate grade level(s): Pre-K through First grade
Original 3-line summary: The book begins with a little mouse who is eating her food. The story proceeds to go from little creature to little creature describing what they do or what they eat in a rhyme pattern. All of the little animals are different and that is seen through this cute story.
Original 3-line review: The book was very cute in terms of the illustrations and the qualities each animal possessed. However, some of the terms are a bit old fashioned for children and maybe out of date. A simple solution to this would be to just incorporate new vocabulary into the lesson. Overall, the story was very wholesome and educational on the animals and what they are like.
2-3 possible in-class uses: This nursery rhyme can be coupled with a science lesson and used to talk about the different qualities of creatures, or to go over rhyme sequences and new vocabulary.
November 22, 2025
3 stars
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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
A collection of very small little poems/nursery rhymes about various animals.
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REVIEW:
Not much to say about this one. They are all quite short. Cute illustrations and little rhymes, but not much meat here to actually review.
I did appreciate how some of the animals in them were from Beatrix's previous stories, like Mrs. Cottontail. That was sweet.
Overall it's a cute little poem collection, just not longer like her other stories. A very quick read.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
A collection of very small little poems/nursery rhymes about various animals.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
Not much to say about this one. They are all quite short. Cute illustrations and little rhymes, but not much meat here to actually review.
I did appreciate how some of the animals in them were from Beatrix's previous stories, like Mrs. Cottontail. That was sweet.
Overall it's a cute little poem collection, just not longer like her other stories. A very quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
Note: I read the miniature edition of Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes from The Original Peter Rabbit Miniature Collection 5 box - this is the same as the normal book but smaller - the ISBN on the back of the book links to this book page.
I guess since this has the words 'nursery rhymes' right there on the cover, you can't really complain that it is just a nothingy slip of poetry for little kids. But it isn't interesting to read. Potter's books are usually very short, so making an even shorter version seems ludicrous. These poems are a couple of sentences each; there's really nothing here to get interested in or form any attachment to. I guess maybe they are for reading babies to sleep with or something?
I guess since this has the words 'nursery rhymes' right there on the cover, you can't really complain that it is just a nothingy slip of poetry for little kids. But it isn't interesting to read. Potter's books are usually very short, so making an even shorter version seems ludicrous. These poems are a couple of sentences each; there's really nothing here to get interested in or form any attachment to. I guess maybe they are for reading babies to sleep with or something?
December 16, 2018
In a series of brief vignettes, each unrelated short story is a rhyming verse poem which describes a character who is seen on the adjacent image. This is the shortest and simplest collection of stories in the series. Readers seeking complex stories may not enjoy this book as much as other stories in the series. Readers seeking a quick read with fun rhymes might be entertained.
January 29, 2026
I don't know for a fact, but this feels like it must be the shortest book Beatrix Potter published. A small collection of original nursery rhymes, accompanied by her sweet illustrations of small creatures well-dressed for their lives in your house and garden. (Sometimes it's just a pair of shoes. How would a hedgehog dress?)
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April 27, 2019
I don't wish to lead you astray, these are quite charming little rhymes, but compared with her other stories and longer tales they're just a little bit bland and boring. It is nice, however, to see recurring characters from previous tales.
October 31, 2021
There is more to nursery rhymes than words that sound the same. Most of these so-called ‘nursery rhymes’ made very little sense as it is obvious that Beatrix Potter has merely used words that rhyme, without taking the effort to make the rhyme make up an actual story.
April 2, 2023
I found a hardback copy of this book at an estate sale and realized I had not read it before, so I bought it. Adorable illustrations (as Potter's all are) and cute little rhymes make this small book perfect for a young reader, so I gave it to a sweet four-year-old for her birthday.
April 10, 2023
Read these when I was little.
Then reread them all to my kids:)
My 6 year old loves them!
They are not to long that he loses interest but also not so short you end up reading 2 more books after.
Classics are always worth the read:)
Then reread them all to my kids:)
My 6 year old loves them!
They are not to long that he loses interest but also not so short you end up reading 2 more books after.
Classics are always worth the read:)
December 31, 2023
Appley Dapply has little
sharp eyes,
And Appley Dapply is
so fond of pies!
Cупер-милі римованки про маленьких тваринок, оздоблені затишними ілюстраціями, які створюють настрій для спокійного дня зі смачною їжею.
sharp eyes,
And Appley Dapply is
so fond of pies!
Cупер-милі римованки про маленьких тваринок, оздоблені затишними ілюстраціями, які створюють настрій для спокійного дня зі смачною їжею.
June 26, 2025
It's very sweet and the illustrations are delightful as ever – but there's no coherent thread running throughout these little rhymes. Cute though for very young children that are learning to read and will only read 1-2 pages at a time.
August 9, 2017
Nothing beats the genius that is Beatrix Potter.
January 28, 2018
A wonderful book.
April 28, 2018
Such a classic and just brings childhood memories back again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews