Has its moments of goodness, but as other reviewers have noted, the constant breaking of the fourth wall by the author is very distracting. I think it's meant to be cute but instead it comes off as a bit condescending. Granted, the books are a bit childlike in their nature, but I much preferred the style of the first one. This one felt like the author wanted to be reading it to a circle of youngsters who require constant persuasion to keep listening. ( )

Delightful next installment in the series, complete with love affairs gone sideways (amusing) and love requited (satisfying) and a mysterious foundling baby. ( )

Another solid entry in the Beatrix Potter series, this one aimed a little more towards children at least it seemed that way to me. Amazing series of mysteries, I've read the first four books and so far only one killing. ( )

This fourth book in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series wasn't a mystery in any sense of the word. There is a baby, left in a basket on Beatrix's doorstep, and the search for the mother. Beatrix sorts it all out of course.

While she is involved in the future of a real human baby, Jemima Puddle Duck is trying desperately to become a mother. She steal 10 eggs which she finds buried in the mud by the river. Wondering what kind of mother would leave her eggs thus, she decides to hatch them herself. The eggs turn out to be tortoises, not ducks. Most unsuitable.

At the same time there is an 'unsuitable' romance happening in the village. And the effects of gossip touches both the human and the animal residents of the village.

This series is a must read for anyone who loves Beatrix Potter and her stories. I gave this one a slightly lower rating because it was clear all along who the mother of the abandoned baby was. But it continues the story of the lives of all the villagers. ( )

Synopsis: Beatrix finds a baby on her doorstep and wonders if it was left there by one of the 'fairy people' who inhabit the area. The animals continue to interact with each other and to play roles in Beatrix's books.
Review: There wasn't as much of the 'story-teller' voice in this book, which I prefer. This story makes me want to go back to the Land between the Lakes and find some of the landmarks from the books. ( )