The Complete Brambly Hedge: The gorgeously illustrated children’s classics delighting kids and parents for over 40 years!

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The illustrations are beautiful, detailed and heart warming and the story lines sweet, imaginative and fanciful. There are ongoing themes of friendship, community spirit and sharing throughout the whole timeless collection.

Jill’s love of the English countryside and her exceptionally observant eye for nature meant that her closely focused illustrations of trees, hedgerows, piles of leaves and luscious seasonal berries were as botanically correct as they were painterly. Her mice, too, were properly mouse-like, even while the stories about them, many of which are about sustainability, self-sufficiency and survival, are very human. The Complete Brambly Hedge (1999) — 1 volume, produced for The Book People/Ted Smart by HarperCollins (7.75x10in) It is easily the most magical and fantastical of the Brambly Hedge seasonal stories - the Ice Hall is gorgeous and the later illustrations in this book benefit from its majestic blue-green pillars and high ceilings. And, in typical Brambly fashion, the more mundane scenes of kitchens and storerooms are just as impressive. It would not be a Brambly book without at least two kitchen illustrations, and this book has some of my favorites. This is the only seasonal Brambly book to be set mostly at night, which gives the illustrations a warm and magical quality. Jill had a portfolio of lots and lots of pictures of mice and the structure of a mouse world,” said Fior. “Her craftsmanship was extraordinary. You only had to open the portfolio to know she was something special. But there wasn’t a story. Instead there was the idea of the community of mice.” Fior was immediately taken by the potential of Jill’s idea and the quality of her work, and sent her home with a four-book contract. “The intensity of Jill’s vision was clear from the beginning,” she said. “She wanted the world to be a wonderful place and she wanted to create a community where that would happen – even if it was only a fictional one.” Sadly, the books appear to be a UK phenomenon, which means it's hard to find copies of them in the U.S. When I consulted my librarian, she found a spin-off by Alan MacDonald called Wilfred to the Rescue. While the story was cute and the illustrations engaging, it was hard to see from this book exactly why Snapdragons would write about the Brambly Hedge mice with such passionate devotion. (I should probably mention here that The Four-Year-Old adored Wilfred to the Rescue. I liked it myself. I just didn't find it exceptional.)The first four seasonal books were produced in audio form; one hour narrated by John Moffatt. Audiobooks and CDs are marketed under the titles The Brambly Hedge Collection (2005) and A Year in Brambly Hedge (2014). I get completely absorbed into the quaint little world that the author has created. I adore these stories and will continue to enjoy them with all of the children in my life. Brambly Hedge has a traditional layout with the living spaces on the ground floor and the bedrooms upstairs. It's decorated in a chic, timeless style that suits contemporary guests and harmonises with the gardens and countryside views.

In 1994, she had a successful operation for a brain tumour; however, the subsequent health issues caused her eyesight to decline, which ended her artistic career, and eventually led to her death. [6] Barklem died in London aged 66, on 15 November 2017. [1] Works [ edit ] Brambly Hedge Series [ edit ] Autumn Story (1980) – Primrose Woodmouse wanders off and finds herself in uncharted territory. Will anyone ever find her as the storm rages? Poppy's Babies Dusty and Poppy, who were married in the Summer Story have just had their first bundle of joy - or should I say bundles? Poppy is absolutely in love with her trio of babies but with Dusty's dusty mill constantly bringing messes into the house and loud noises, Poppy just cannot live in that spot anymore. It was the most beautiful morning. The spring sunshine crept into every cottage along Brambly Hedge, and the little windows in the trees were opened wide." The Secret Staircase It is Midwinter's Eve in the Brambly Hedge and as per tradition, all of the mice are preparing for celebrations. Primrose and Wilfred have a special performance for the village mice and while they practice, they accidently discover a secret staircase in the house of Lord and Lady Woodmouse!! What ever will they find in there?Activity and "Toy and Moveable" books, include Primrose's Adventure (Brambly Hedge Sliding Pictures) and Wilfred's Birthday Sliding Pictures; some board books, such as House for a Mouse, Nice for Mice, and The Snow Ball; and Poppy and Dusty's Wedding. Even reluctant cooks will find self-catering simple in the stylish kitchen with Bosch appliances and a convenient Quooker boiling tap. Thanks to the U-shaped layout and big windows that look onto the garden and the countryside beyond, there's loads of natural light. There is a dining table that seats six.

The four stories were originally published separately, but here's an introduction of the author about the origins and developments of the stories.

Christmas at Brambly Hedge

Spring Story The baskets were put down and opened, and nettlestem cloths spread out on the mossy grass.Today is young Wilfred's birthday, and he decides to explore around the Brambly Hedge. He visits every mouse family from Mr Apple who runs the store room in the stump to Lord and Lady Woodmouse. Sea Story (1990) – Dusty Dogwood, Poppy Eyebright, Primrose Woodmouse and Wilfred Toadflax sail down river to retrieve salt from the sea mice. The Four Seasons of Brambly Hedge was one of my favorite books when I was little. Those little mice were the cutest thing ever, their adventures were always dreamy and the illustrations were phenomenal.