Poor Jemima. All she wants to do is lay her eggs in peace, and be allowed to hatch them herself. At last she flies off and finds the perfect place. Little does the silly duck realise that the charming gentleman who has lent her his woodshed is busily planning a delicious meal of . . . roast duck!

 

Jemima was a real duck belonging to Beatrix Potter, who lived at her farm, Hill Top. The story also features Beatrix's own sheepdog, Kep, who thankfully manages to save Jemima from a nasty fate!

Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten.

 

Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. She launched the now vast merchandise programme by patenting the very first Peter Rabbit doll in 1903. The product range continues to grow today with licences around the world including baby clothing and bedding, nursery decor products and collectables. Upon her death, Beatrix Potter left 14 farms and over 4000 acres of Lake District farmland to the National Trust so that the place that she loved would remain undeveloped and protected for future generations to enjoy.

 

Today Beatrix Potter's original 23 tales are still published by Frederick Warne, alongside a wide range of other formats including baby books, activity books and gift and sound books.

 

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is number nine in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books.

Look out for the rest!

 

1. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

2. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

3. The Tailor of Gloucester

4. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

5. The Tale of Two Bad Mice

6. The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

7. The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher

8. The Tale of Tom Kitten

9. The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

10. The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

11. The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse

12. The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes

13. The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse

14. The Tale of Mr. Tod

15. The Tale of Pigling Bland

16. The Tale of Samuel Whiskers

17. The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan

18. The Tale of Ginger and Pickles

19. The Tale of Little Pig Robinson

20. The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit

21. The Story of Miss Moppet

22. Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes

23. Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes