Johnny Town-mouse was born in a cupboard. Timmy Willie was born in a garden. Timmy Willie was a little country mouse who went to town by mistake in a hamper. The gardener sent vegetables to town once a week by carrier; he packed them in a big hamper. The gardener left the hamper by the […]

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were– Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree. “Now, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t […]

“I’ll be at charges for a looking-glass;And entertain a score or two of tailors.”[Richard III] My Dear Freda: Because you are fond of fairytales, and have been ill, I have made you a story all for yourself–a new one that nobody has read before. And the queerest thing about it is–that I heard it in […]

[A Story for Norah] This is a Tale about a tail–a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood at the edge of a lake. In the middle of the lake there is an […]

This is a fierce bad Rabbit; look at his savage whiskers and his claws and his turned-up tail. This is a nice gentle Rabbit. His mother has given him a carrot. The bad Rabbit would like some carrot. He doesn’t say “Please.” He takes it! And he scratches the good Rabbit very badly. The good […]

[For Stephanie from Cousin B.] Once upon a time there was a frog called Mr. Jeremy Fisher; he lived in a little damp house amongst the buttercups at the edge of a pond. The water was all slippy-sloppy in the larder and in the back passage. But Mr. Jeremy liked getting his feet wet; nobody […]

Pussy-cat sits by the fire–how should she be fair?In walks the little dog–says “Pussy are you there?How do you do Mistress Pussy? Mistress Pussy, how do you do?”“I thank you kindly, little dog, I fare as well as you!”[Old Rhyme] Once upon a time there was a Pussy-cat called Ribby, who invited a little dog […]

[For the Real Little Lucie of Newlands] Once upon a time there was a little girl called Lucie, who lived at a farm called Little-town. She was a good little girl–only she was always losing her pocket-handkerchiefs! One day little Lucie came into the farm-yard crying–oh, she did cry so! “I’ve lost my pocket-handkin! Three […]

[For W.M.L.W., the Little Girl Who Had the Doll’s House] Once upon a time there was a very beautiful doll’s-house; it was red brick with white windows, and it had real muslin curtains and a front door and a chimney. It belonged to two Dolls called Lucinda and Jane; at least it belonged to Lucinda, […]

[For the Children of Sawrey from Old Mr. Bunny] One morning a little rabbit sat on a bank. He pricked his ears and listened to the trit-trot, trit-trot of a pony. A gig was coming along the road; it was driven by Mr. McGregor, and beside him sat Mrs. McGregor in her best bonnet. As […]

[A Farmyard Tale for Ralph and Betsy] What a funny sight it is to see a brood of ducklings with a hen! Listen to the story of Jemima Puddle-duck, who was annoyed because the farmer’s wife would not let her hatch her own eggs. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rebeccah Puddle-duck, was perfectly willing to leave the […]

[Dedicated to All Pickles, –Especially to Those That Get upon My Garden Wall] Once upon a time there were three little kittens, and their names were Mittens, Tom Kitten, and Moppet. They had dear little fur coats of their own; and they tumbled about the doorstep and played in the dust. But one day their […]

This is a Pussy called Miss Moppet; she thinks she has heard a mouse! This is the Mouse peeping out behind the cupboard and making fun of Miss Moppet. He is not afraid of a kitten. This is Miss Moppet jumping just too late; she misses the Mouse and hits her own head. She thinks […]

[Nellie’s Little Book] Once upon a time there was a woodmouse, and her name was Mrs. Tittlemouse. She lived in a bank under a hedge. Such a funny house! There were yards and yards of sandy passages, leading to store- rooms and nut cellars and seed cellars, all amongst the roots of the hedge. There […]

[For All Little Friends of Mr. McGregor and Peter and Benjamin] It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is “soporific.” I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces; but then I am not a rabbit. They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies! When Benjamin Bunny grew up, […]

Once upon a time there was an old cat, called Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, who was an anxious parent. She used to lose her kittens continually, and whenever they were lost they were always in mischief! On baking day she determined to shut them up in a cupboard. She caught Moppet and Mittens, but she could […]

[Dedicated With very kind regards to old Mr. John Taylor, Who “thinks he might pass as a dormouse,” (Three years in bed and never a grumble!).] Once upon a time there was a village shop. The name over the window was “Ginger and Pickles.” It was a little small shop just the right size for […]

[For Cicily and Charlie, a Tale of the Christmas Pig] Once upon a time there was an old pig called Aunt Pettitoes. She had eight of a family: four little girl pigs, called Cross-patch, Suck-suck, Yock-yock and Spot; and four little boy pigs, called Alexander, Pigling Bland, Chin-Chin and Stumpy. Stumpy had had an accident […]

[For William Francis of Ulva–Someday!] I have made many books about well-behaved people. Now, for a change, I am going to make a story about two disagreeable people, called Tommy Brock and Mr. Tod. Nobody could call Mr. Tod “nice.” The rabbits could not bear him; they could smell him half a mile off. He […]

[For Many Unknown Little Friends, Including Monica] Once upon a time there was a little fat comfortable grey squirrel, called Timmy Tiptoes. He had a nest thatched with leaves in the top of a tall tree; and he had a little squirrel wife called Goody. Timmy Tiptoes sat out, enjoying the breeze; he whisked his […]