Brambly Hedge

The Four Seasons of Brambly Hedge, Jill Barklem.

Enchanting.

The reason I wanted to go through the Great Read-Alouds list: To discover new treasures. The Four Seasons of Brambly Hedge is an absolute treasure. Reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, this series is a delight to read aloud, with charming and detailed illustrations. The collection as a single volume was not in at my branch library, but three of these wonderful stories were available, so we checked them out to read and fell in love. The stories are quiet and sweet, with an old-fashioned charm. The mice drink blackberry tea and roast crabapples and dance on the ice. My fine young gents were captivated. Six-year-old gent enjoyed poring over the details of the illustrations, and kept these books on the shelf by his bed for quite some time before reluctantly surrendering them so that the rest of us could read them too.

Summer Story.
It's a lovely warm summer, and there's a wedding in the air. Brambly Hedge prepares for the festivities, and celebrates the wedding on a raft.



Autumn Story.
The town is preparing their stores for winter-- picking berries, harvesting grain. Young Primrose dreams her way through the cornfield, meets some new friends, gets lost and then found.

Winter Story.
The snow falls on Brambly Hedge, and the mice celebrate winter by creating an ice ballroom and holding a Snow Ball.



Spring Story.
This story was not on the shelf, but I suspect that if I forget to look for it on our next visit, I'll be reminded by the gents.I can't wait to read it.




Visit the world of Brambly Hedge here to learn more about Brambly Hedge, author Jill Barklem, and how it all began. There are even activities for children in Wilfred's Playroom, with coloring sheets, videos to view, a nature book, and more!

If you have a little girl (or boy!) who likes Brambly Hedge stories and enjoys paper dolls, Victorian Mouse Paper Dolls are lovely and sweet. With flower names like Hollyhock, Columbine, and Pansy, the mouse sisters go on wonderful outings and adventures with lovely outfits for each. They were a favorite with one of the lovely ladies. As a matter of fact, she's still got them as a keepsake in an envelope in her closet, too dear to give up.