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Treasured Tales from Beatrix Potter
A gift volume with padded cover featuring four original Beatrix Potter tales, with their classic Beatrix Potter illustrations. Includes The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and The Tale of Pigling Bland.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 1995
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84 people want to read
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,368 books2,147 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 30, 2024
I found this when thrifting and absolutely had to get it! It's very adorable and comforting, with beautiful illustrations that are whimsical and full of nature.
December 31, 2020
Maybe I just don't have the childhood connection to these stories, but I didn't particularly enjoy them. They're exceedingly twee - especially the last, of Pigling Bland, which is almost sickeningly so.
It also didn't seem to go anywhere in particular, which was a theme of this collection. All four stories seemed to just peter out instead of complete, with no real direction. I'm aware these are kids stories, but I don't think that excuses them from not following a traditional structure and finishing with a really close. I know many of these stories likely had a follow up, as a lot of them were part of much larger series, but I still felt let down by the lack of a conclusion.
Some of these are considered classics of children's literature, especially Jeremy Fisher and Benjamin Bunny - they even had special 50ps minted in the recent past commemorating them. I have to say I'm surprised, as I've read some far better children's books in my time.
It also didn't seem to go anywhere in particular, which was a theme of this collection. All four stories seemed to just peter out instead of complete, with no real direction. I'm aware these are kids stories, but I don't think that excuses them from not following a traditional structure and finishing with a really close. I know many of these stories likely had a follow up, as a lot of them were part of much larger series, but I still felt let down by the lack of a conclusion.
Some of these are considered classics of children's literature, especially Jeremy Fisher and Benjamin Bunny - they even had special 50ps minted in the recent past commemorating them. I have to say I'm surprised, as I've read some far better children's books in my time.
October 26, 2020
For all ages! Tells the tales of Tom Kitten, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Benjamin Bunny and Pigling Bland. Each story gets longer containing more complex sentence structures and trickier language enabling children to progress as they get more confident with their reading. The beginning tales do contain quite a few tricky/unfamiliar words (affronted, tucker, extraordinary, dignity, repose) considering how simply they are told however, this makes them more stimulating and provides a learning opportunity rather than the stories themselves being too challenging to read. Familiar names like Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck also feature with beautifully painted illustrations throughout.
December 8, 2025
Some classic stories!
My daughter really enjoyed me reading this to her.
Tom Kitten 5*s
The kittens get their clothes all dirty and their mum locks them in their bedroom while she entertains guests.
Jeremy Fischer 5*s
A frog goes fishing for minnows and comes home empty handed, thus having to serve his guests grasshopper instead.
Benjamin Bunny 5*s
Benjamin and Peter Rabbit go to the farm next door to get their clothes back from the scarecrow.
Pigland Bland 1.5*s
What did I just read?
The pictures, the story and the general vibe feel more like a horror story than a children's book.
My daughter really enjoyed me reading this to her.
Tom Kitten 5*s
The kittens get their clothes all dirty and their mum locks them in their bedroom while she entertains guests.
Jeremy Fischer 5*s
A frog goes fishing for minnows and comes home empty handed, thus having to serve his guests grasshopper instead.
Benjamin Bunny 5*s
Benjamin and Peter Rabbit go to the farm next door to get their clothes back from the scarecrow.
Pigland Bland 1.5*s
What did I just read?
The pictures, the story and the general vibe feel more like a horror story than a children's book.
March 5, 2018
I read and reviewed each of the Potter stories in here separately, so this is basically just for my own records. The rating for the collection is an average of the individual ratings: 4 stars each for Benjamin Bunny and Jeremy Fisher (the latter being the stand-out of the collection), 3 stars for Tom Kitten; and finally Pigling Bland who at 2 stars really was a bit bland and should probably be turned into bacon, just for entertainment value.
January 3, 2019
The first three stories are very short and quick paced and the fourth is a little longer. I think that Tom Kitten, Mr Jeremy Fischer and the Tale of Benjamin Bunny are so sweet and perfect for children. However, The Tale of Pigling Bland is a little less (young) child appropriate in my opinion as the language and theme is slightly darker. Read the rest of the review: www.lightofthebookworm.com
December 4, 2025
If I were younger, I would definitely enjoy these stories!
I like the fact the characters are posh and more human than many human beings, hahah! I also know that I would probably like them more because of the delicate illustrations than the stories themselves. (:
I like the fact the characters are posh and more human than many human beings, hahah! I also know that I would probably like them more because of the delicate illustrations than the stories themselves. (:
January 28, 2018
A wonderful book.
October 20, 2018
We wanted to read about the special Beatrix Potter characters on the British 50 pence coin. Lovely!
December 12, 2024
Four classic stories that bring back many memories of childhood days.
September 13, 2025
Lovely illustrations. Please, don’t whip your kids. 🧐
October 25, 2019
Beautiful illustrations. A sentimental favourite for sure.
July 2, 2018
This is such a beautiful book. The five stars are simply for how beautiful it is. Adore the pictures and the stories are magical
August 11, 2016
This book has four witty and intelligent tales. I found that the most clever was the Tale of Tom Kitten, where the cat mother of three kittens, Tom, Mittens, and Moppet, had friends to tea. She needed her little babies to look very smart, so she dressed them in the most pretty clothing she had - the two girls in white petticoats and lace shawls, and the little boy (who so happened to be very naughty) had a blue waistcoat and little trousers to match. The old cat, named Mrs Tabitha, did not realise how truly cunning her kids could be, and she let them outside in the garden for a little play while she washed the dishes. “Now keep your frocks clean, children! You must walk on your hind legs. Keep away from the dirty ash-pit, and from Sally Henny-penny, and from the pig-stye and the Puddle-ducks,” is a quote from the tale.
Of course, Tom Kitten took no notice! But seeing his sisters’ examples, he walked along on his hind legs in a smart manner, and did not go near the ash-pit or the pig-stye; but still, he laughed when Moppet and Mittens fell in the greenery! They tripped and landed right on their little pink noses, and their frocks got covered in grass stains. One of the sisters thought to climb the rockery, and sit on the garden wall. There their mother might not see the green smears on their clothing from out the window. But Moppet’s white tucker fell into the road, and their pinafores were turned back-to-front in their haste. What a sight they were now! How Mrs Tabitha would spank them!
Tom Kitten climbed up the wall behind them. He stood carefully on his hind paws, and did not trip on any rocks like his hurried sisters. When he was at the top of the wall, oh who came along but the Puddle-ducks! They picked up the clothing with their long, orange beaks, and put them on themselves, despite how much Moppet and Mittens sighed. And when Mrs Tabitha came out to invite the guests in, the ducks ran away in the pond; but of course, the tuckers and hats all fall off, and they have been looking for them since, sticking their heads in and out of the pond.
Mr Jeremy Fisher was very short compared to some of the other tales. It was probably my least favourite, but it was still a good quick-read whilst you’re waiting for your tea! I thought perhaps they each would be better if they were in much more detail as a thick book in themselves, but they were all brilliant.
The illustrations in the book were really quite beautiful. They really added to the text, and Ms. Potter did them herself with detailed watercolours. I was very intrigued by them and they were lovely.
Of course, Tom Kitten took no notice! But seeing his sisters’ examples, he walked along on his hind legs in a smart manner, and did not go near the ash-pit or the pig-stye; but still, he laughed when Moppet and Mittens fell in the greenery! They tripped and landed right on their little pink noses, and their frocks got covered in grass stains. One of the sisters thought to climb the rockery, and sit on the garden wall. There their mother might not see the green smears on their clothing from out the window. But Moppet’s white tucker fell into the road, and their pinafores were turned back-to-front in their haste. What a sight they were now! How Mrs Tabitha would spank them!
Tom Kitten climbed up the wall behind them. He stood carefully on his hind paws, and did not trip on any rocks like his hurried sisters. When he was at the top of the wall, oh who came along but the Puddle-ducks! They picked up the clothing with their long, orange beaks, and put them on themselves, despite how much Moppet and Mittens sighed. And when Mrs Tabitha came out to invite the guests in, the ducks ran away in the pond; but of course, the tuckers and hats all fall off, and they have been looking for them since, sticking their heads in and out of the pond.
Mr Jeremy Fisher was very short compared to some of the other tales. It was probably my least favourite, but it was still a good quick-read whilst you’re waiting for your tea! I thought perhaps they each would be better if they were in much more detail as a thick book in themselves, but they were all brilliant.
The illustrations in the book were really quite beautiful. They really added to the text, and Ms. Potter did them herself with detailed watercolours. I was very intrigued by them and they were lovely.
September 29, 2023
-- Using this as a substitute for The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit R/I unless I get the other one. It appears they are part of a set, which also might include Selected Tales. I am interested in getting The Complete Tales or the newer one Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales but it's huge and expensive. Although still less expensive than getting all the little ones in a "World of Beatrix Potter" set that is over $100!
August 23, 2016
This book contains four beautifully illustrated tales. My favourite was The Tale of Tom Kitten. Tom Kitten and his sisters Mittens and Moppet are dressed up because their mother is expecting guests. Then their mother sends them outside to wait. Little does she know her kittens are dressing up the ducks instead! Unfortunately, the ducks made off down the river with their clothes and they fell off in the river. Jemima and Rebeccah Paddle-duck have been looking for them ever since.
I also liked The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, who snuck into Mr McGreggor's garden to retrieve Peter Rabbit's hat. Then they both got trapped under an up-turned basket for five hours because the cat sat on it!
I also liked The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, who snuck into Mr McGreggor's garden to retrieve Peter Rabbit's hat. Then they both got trapped under an up-turned basket for five hours because the cat sat on it!
September 29, 2007
Interesting collection of her works. At least i thought so, it was the works I wasn't yet familiar with.
October 24, 2008
Classic.
October 22, 2013
It is such a fantastic book please read it!
November 14, 2014
A simply lovely book with tales for children of any age. It is beautifully illustrated and is well worth picking up. A great addition to any child's library.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews