The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. It was first published in July 1908. Potter composed the book at Hill Top, a working farm in the Lake District she bought in 1905. Jemima Puddle-Duck was the first of her books set wholly at the farm with background illustrations based on the farm buildings and yard, and nearby locales.