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The World of Beatrix Potter #7
The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan
"Once upon a time there was a Pussy-cat called Ribby, who invited a little dog called Duchess, to tea..."
'The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan' features the houses, gardens and streets of the village of Sawrey, where Beatrix Potter lived, at Hill Top, her first farm. The inhabitants, however, are animals rather than people, and problems arise when a singular cat invites a slightly-finnicky dog over to visit.
The landscape that Peter Rabbit first introduced to us in 1902 is still today one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved worlds. What started as an endearing story about a bunny rabbit would soon become the first ember for the illustrious series that is 'The World of Beatrix Potter', and a story which has endured retelling after retelling, at bed-times all over the world.
Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', first published in 1902, was her first book. She later went on to publish more than twenty tales and collections of rhymes.
Age Rating: 3–12+ / Preschool - 2+ / Lexile Measure N/A
'The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan' features the houses, gardens and streets of the village of Sawrey, where Beatrix Potter lived, at Hill Top, her first farm. The inhabitants, however, are animals rather than people, and problems arise when a singular cat invites a slightly-finnicky dog over to visit.
The landscape that Peter Rabbit first introduced to us in 1902 is still today one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved worlds. What started as an endearing story about a bunny rabbit would soon become the first ember for the illustrious series that is 'The World of Beatrix Potter', and a story which has endured retelling after retelling, at bed-times all over the world.
Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', first published in 1902, was her first book. She later went on to publish more than twenty tales and collections of rhymes.
Age Rating: 3–12+ / Preschool - 2+ / Lexile Measure N/A
58 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1905
About the author
Beatrix Potter
3,343 books2,177 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 170 reviews
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April 27, 2019
At first I wasn't sure if I liked the mix of black-and-white illustrations alongside Beatrix's gorgeous watercolours, but I have been turned completely: they add another dimension, especially to the longer stories, of which I am more fond of. Her shorter stories are fine, but you don't get her enthusiasm for nature quite as much as you do in her longer ones.
My favourite thing about Beatrix's stories is she doesn't shy away from the darker side of nature: here it is less so, as a cat and a dog are personified almost to the point of them being human. Usually I dislike personified animals; in particular I dislike anthropomorphied animals intensely, but Beatrix seems to do it really well. Maybe it's the cute little outfits, I don't know. Probably helps.
I have no reason other than the beautiful watercolours of Duchess the dog surrounded by flowers in her garden for giving this 4 stars. The story was a little bit meh and not Beatrix's best, but that picture will stay with me forever. I love it to pieces.
My favourite thing about Beatrix's stories is she doesn't shy away from the darker side of nature: here it is less so, as a cat and a dog are personified almost to the point of them being human. Usually I dislike personified animals; in particular I dislike anthropomorphied animals intensely, but Beatrix seems to do it really well. Maybe it's the cute little outfits, I don't know. Probably helps.
I have no reason other than the beautiful watercolours of Duchess the dog surrounded by flowers in her garden for giving this 4 stars. The story was a little bit meh and not Beatrix's best, but that picture will stay with me forever. I love it to pieces.
December 31, 2014
You know, in today's world (if we had talking cats and dogs who invited each other over for tea, that is) Duchess the Dog would simply have informed Ribby that Cat that she was allergic to mouse, and then none of this mess would have happened.
Also, even allowing for a world in which dogs and cats invite each other over for tea with great courtesy, and where magpie doctors can be easily found and pursuaded to drop everything and come to take a look at an ill guest, I do find it a little far-fetched that that Duchess would seriously think she had accidentally swallowed an entire patty pan without noticing! Not to mention that a qualified doctor, albeit a magpie, would think such a thing was anatomically possible!
Also, even allowing for a world in which dogs and cats invite each other over for tea with great courtesy, and where magpie doctors can be easily found and pursuaded to drop everything and come to take a look at an ill guest, I do find it a little far-fetched that that Duchess would seriously think she had accidentally swallowed an entire patty pan without noticing! Not to mention that a qualified doctor, albeit a magpie, would think such a thing was anatomically possible!
April 3, 2024
when the little doggie balanced the sugar 😭
December 20, 2022
Cat, Ribby, invites dog, Duchess, to tea, promising a tasty pie. Duchess is worried that Ribby’s pie may contain mouse, and prepares her own mouse-free patty pan pie to be snuck into Ribby’s oven before teatime. Ribby has two ovens, and places her (of course, mouse) pie in the lower one. While she is out gathering the rest of the food for teatime, Duchess creeps into Ribby’s house and places her veal and bacon pie in the upper oven. At the appointed time, Duchess goes to tea at Ribby’s and is delighted with the scrumptious pie that she is served, but is alarmed at finding no patty pan in it to keep the crust elevated. She believes she has swallowed it. Ribby says she never uses patty pans nor other metal items in her pies, but as Duchess becomes more anxious, Ribby goes to get the doctor. Meanwhile, Duchess finds her pie – uneaten – in the top oven, with the patty pan still inside. She realises she has eaten mouse pie after all. She hides her pie outside, ready to collect when she leaves. The doctor arrives, and leaves when not needed. When Duchess leaves, she finds the doctor and some magpies eating her pie, and runs home. Ribby comes out later and sees a smashed empty pie dish, and a patty pan. She resolves not to ask Duchess to tea again.
Important notes: the two pie dishes are identical, hence the confusion, and you need to understand what a patty pan is (I didn’t till I read this book, still a bit unsure))
Morals: 1) always let the host know of any food allergies, intolerances and dislikes that you have BEFORE you go to a meal. You will cause much less offence that way. There is nothing worse than spending hours preparing what you feel is your pièce-de-resistance, only to discover your guest cannot stomach it.
2) sometimes you may have a false preconceived idea about how bad a food might be/taste. You don’t know till you’ve tried it – best if you don’t know in advance what a dish contains (though possible allergens must always be stated).
Important notes: the two pie dishes are identical, hence the confusion, and you need to understand what a patty pan is (I didn’t till I read this book, still a bit unsure))
Morals: 1) always let the host know of any food allergies, intolerances and dislikes that you have BEFORE you go to a meal. You will cause much less offence that way. There is nothing worse than spending hours preparing what you feel is your pièce-de-resistance, only to discover your guest cannot stomach it.
2) sometimes you may have a false preconceived idea about how bad a food might be/taste. You don’t know till you’ve tried it – best if you don’t know in advance what a dish contains (though possible allergens must always be stated).
August 13, 2021
The Pie and the Patty Pan deserves much more love! It is a comedy of both errors and manners, with the added benefit of beautiful illustrations and a lovably flighty little dog as its heroine.
The writing is clever too, and I never even noticed the jokes about Dr. Maggotty and locking up the spoons until recently(since the doctor is a magpie and would naturally be distracted by anything shiny).
I don't dare spoil any more of this little book's surprises, so suffice it to say that this is one of my favorite Beatrix Potter books and one I would recommend even to those who claim little interest in talking animal stories!
The writing is clever too, and I never even noticed the jokes about Dr. Maggotty and locking up the spoons until recently(since the doctor is a magpie and would naturally be distracted by anything shiny).
I don't dare spoil any more of this little book's surprises, so suffice it to say that this is one of my favorite Beatrix Potter books and one I would recommend even to those who claim little interest in talking animal stories!
June 30, 2017
This was a weird sort of story. It's about a dinner party and it's all about the guest of the dinner party messing with the food of the host. It feels like the story is selling deceit. The pie in question is a mouse pie and the little dog doesn't want to eat mouse pie. The kids didn't seem to be as into this one. My nephew does like cats so he enjoyed the cat art.
February 16, 2020
a cat and dog having afternoon tea, if only.
July 26, 2016
Mouse and Bacon pie anyone??
December 31, 2020
This is a tale involving a pussy-cat named Ribby and a lovely little dog named Duchess. And Ribby invites Duchess to tea, an invitation that Duchess accepts with the proviso that the something delicious promised by Ribby does not include mouse in it!
And, along with a dual oven, one top, one bottom, this turns out to be the crux of the story. Ribby and Duchess shop for their ingredients, meet in the shops but don't speak because they are too wrapped up in what they are doing! Ribby rushes home, prepares everything and puts her pie in the bottom oven and goes upstairs to change her dress.
In the meantime Duchess sneaks into Ribby's kitchen, opens the top oven and slips in her pie that she has made so as to be assured of something that she likes. When Duchess returns to the kitchen she notices some things out of place but does not realise what has happened.
Later the twosome sit down to tea and both wonder what the smells coming from the piesare. Are they veal and ham or mouse and bacon? They eat and Duchess asks about the patty-pan, a question that bewilders Ribby ... and they finish their meal in complete confusion, even when they are washing up!
This is not my favourite Beatrix Potter tale, two stars, but four stars for the delightful illustrations make it a three-star read.
And, along with a dual oven, one top, one bottom, this turns out to be the crux of the story. Ribby and Duchess shop for their ingredients, meet in the shops but don't speak because they are too wrapped up in what they are doing! Ribby rushes home, prepares everything and puts her pie in the bottom oven and goes upstairs to change her dress.
In the meantime Duchess sneaks into Ribby's kitchen, opens the top oven and slips in her pie that she has made so as to be assured of something that she likes. When Duchess returns to the kitchen she notices some things out of place but does not realise what has happened.
Later the twosome sit down to tea and both wonder what the smells coming from the piesare. Are they veal and ham or mouse and bacon? They eat and Duchess asks about the patty-pan, a question that bewilders Ribby ... and they finish their meal in complete confusion, even when they are washing up!
This is not my favourite Beatrix Potter tale, two stars, but four stars for the delightful illustrations make it a three-star read.
December 26, 2023
A cute short story about a cat and a dog who are friends.
A cat called Ribby invited her friend Duchess who is a dog to her house to tea. Ribby told her she made a special pie for her and Duchess was worried that she wouldn't liked it very much.
It was lovely and fun, I really enjoyed it.
Poor Duchess was so worried and I was a bit sad by the ending.
A cat called Ribby invited her friend Duchess who is a dog to her house to tea. Ribby told her she made a special pie for her and Duchess was worried that she wouldn't liked it very much.
It was lovely and fun, I really enjoyed it.
Poor Duchess was so worried and I was a bit sad by the ending.
May 3, 2015
From BBC School Radio:
One morning Duchess the dog receives a letter from Ribby the cat inviting her to tea. Duchess is pleased to accept, but then she remembers her friend will be cooking mouse pie...and Duchess doesn’t like mouse pie, not one bit! So she devises a plan to replace Ribby’s pie in the oven with her own freshly made ham pie. It’s the perfect plan, or so she thinks...
One morning Duchess the dog receives a letter from Ribby the cat inviting her to tea. Duchess is pleased to accept, but then she remembers her friend will be cooking mouse pie...and Duchess doesn’t like mouse pie, not one bit! So she devises a plan to replace Ribby’s pie in the oven with her own freshly made ham pie. It’s the perfect plan, or so she thinks...
June 4, 2015
This book has it all: mystery, drama, animals who wear dresses and walk around on their hind legs. What *did* happen to that patty pan? Was there *really* mouse in that pie? And where on earth did Dr. Maggotty go to medical school *anyway*????
November 13, 2025
Beatrix Poter is always a win.
February 2, 2018
I have arranged my takeaway thoughts into a haiku:
"Friends who get muddied
Traversing red-tape manners
Only make things worse."
"Friends who get muddied
Traversing red-tape manners
Only make things worse."
March 1, 2026
The dramaaaaa 🫢
This one was such a fun read! There’s a tea party, plotting, breaking and entering, envious cousins, good doggies doing tricks with sugar cubes, doctors with questionable qualifications, and pies! (And a lost patty-pan) 🥲
This one was such a fun read! There’s a tea party, plotting, breaking and entering, envious cousins, good doggies doing tricks with sugar cubes, doctors with questionable qualifications, and pies! (And a lost patty-pan) 🥲
December 24, 2014
Поредната сладурска книжка от поредицата "Детство мое".
Посмях се и ми се дояде пай с бекон, препоръчвам :D
Посмях се и ми се дояде пай с бекон, препоръчвам :D
December 8, 2019
It perhaps is the most ‘for-adult’ book by Beatrix Potter that I have ever read. It was fun.
Happy reading! 🙃
Happy reading! 🙃
November 12, 2020
Definitely a silly dog
June 19, 2022
Kinda confused... but, Mouse and Bacon pie anyone?
July 20, 2025
the drama
September 1, 2023
A cute story, utilizing both a comedy of errors and a comedy of manners tropes. Through no fault of its own, I’m not sure this story works for children anymore. Much of the comedy revolves around the lost art of making pies at home. Many children will not understand a lot of what is going on in this story. (Probably many adults as well.)
December 11, 2018
Ribby the Cat invites Duchess the dog to eat a (British) pie, before worrying that she would have to eat a pie which she did not want, further confused by Duchess eating a pie early, eventually resulting in mix-up leaving both characters confused. Similar to the Tailor of Gloucester, this story is relatively complex when compared to the Peter Rabbit series. Readers unfamiliar with British cultures might need explanation that British pies can include fruit or meat. Readers seeking a comedy of misunderstandings and social etiquette should be amused.
June 4, 2018
This was very funny, a poor little dog with poor doggy manners has a dietary predicament, she's mus-intolerant, so how in the world is she to stomach a mouse pie? This is not the best book to read to rodents, unless they have a very dark sense of humor.
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January 28, 2021re-reading one's favorite beatrix potter story is like receiving a warm cup of tea, a soft blanket around the shoulders, and a gentle hug all at once.
June 9, 2022
Uh, oh! It’s a case of mixed up pies and having your own trick outwit you in the end. Fun!
Ages: 3 - 8
Ages: 3 - 8
May 12, 2023
So far, this has been my most favourite beatrix potter story. 🥹
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September 26, 2024Come dirlo in maniera elegante?
Not my cup of tea
Not my cup of tea
July 25, 2026
Cats and dogs having tea together? So charming and cute. 🥰
July 19, 2026
Really funny story with double oven trouble
October 15, 2021
A tale of good intentions and mix-ups, and how these good intentions may bite us in the bum, if we are not grateful for them. The Tale Of The Pie And The Patty-Pan sees Ribby, previously introduced in The Tale Tale Of Samuel Whiskers, hosting a tea party. Unfortunately the guest doesn't not have the same taste as Ribby, so a mix-up of pies ensures the hillarity of the story, as the pie of the guest contains a tin patty-pan, whereas the pie made by Ribby does not.
Its' humour is light-hearted and fun, just as children's books should be.
Its' humour is light-hearted and fun, just as children's books should be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews