"A homage to the hedge and a treasure of a book for old and new fans of the beloved Brambly Hedge."
Whether a trip down memory lane or an introduction to the hedgerow for new fans, this is a book to be treasured.
Many of us who grew up in the 80s were introduced to the hedgerow when Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, and Winter Story all came out, introducing readers to the world of the hedgerow mice. Later books followed, including The Secret Staircase, The High Hills and Sea Story.
Right from the very first page, 5 year old me was entranced by the shadows between the roots of the trees, with the tiny windows with tiny curtains and tiny chimneys of smoke that at first glance looked to be a cobweb. Influenced by her love of the countryside around her, Jill Barklam created this beloved community of mice which took shape from the drawings and workings from Jill's own sketchbooks. The Apples, The Dogwoods, The Toadflax and The Woodmouse Families live in Brambly Hedge where their houses have created in intricate detail in the hollowed out trunks of the trees. I spent hours as a child (and many hours in the years since) poring over the stunningly detailed illustrations. Oh how I adored the hot Summer days and the joy of Poppy and Dusty's wedding. The Harvesting of the Hedge in Autumn. The spectacle of The Snow Ball in Winter.
As a huge fan of Brambly Hedge this now stands pride of place alongside my dog-eared beloved Seasonal Stories from 1980. A guided tour of the Hedge, readers can visit the homes of the mice (like the Old Oak Palace, Wilfred’s house, the Store Stump) with beautifully detailed cross-section illustrations. It explains how the mice live, what they eat, their traditions, and seasonal activities - almost like a field guide to the hedgerow world. As relevant now as it ever was, long live Brambly Hedge.
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