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

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The Complete Brambly Hedge (1999) — 1 volume, produced for The Book People/Ted Smart by HarperCollins (7.75x10in) Jill married David Barklem, an antiques dealer, in 1977. The couple went on to have a son and daughter. [6] Jill Barklem, who has died of pneumonia aged 66, was the creator of the Brambly Hedge children’s titles, a richly imagined and beautifully illustrated series of stories that are a fine example of the pastoral tradition in children’s books. Inspired by her observations of the countryside around Epping in Essex, where she grew up, Jill created the series on the underground as she commuted to her degree course at St Martin’s School of Art in central London. Hating the overcrowded trains, she transported herself to a place of her own imagining that offered peace, space and friendliness, populating it with a community of mice.

The four stories were originally published separately, but here's an introduction of the author about the origins and developments of the stories. 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. Bramble & Hedge is a boutique nougat & confectionery company selling a range of original high-quality products. Our products include nougat, peanut brittle, Chocolate, Honeycomb, and other sweet treats. 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.I guess I always come to these books expecting some kind of conflict - which is typically a given element of any story. Yet I'm realizing that the Brambly stories are more concerned with recording the doings of a community rather than creating some grand narrative. If you're looking for main characters, there really aren't any, and the mice go about their business with no hinderances, delays, or natural predators. Instead, this is an ensemble piece showing a warm, rustic, and healthy community that comes together around the two great unifying factors: food, and dance. Of any of the seasonal stories, this entry probably depicts those factors the best, as it's entirely devoted to showing the effort it takes to prepare for a grand ball, and how that effort is handsomely rewarded.

Barklem's books became immensely popular, selling over seven million copies worldwide and printed in over 13 languages. The Brambly Hedge characters went on to feature in merchandise, such as cards, Royal Doulton china, [5] and a stop-motion animated series The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge (1996 to 2000). [3] Family life and death [ edit ]

What does bramble look like?

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. Jill was born in Epping, the daughter of John and Ivy Gaze, who ran Pynes Stores, a family-owned department store in the town. At Loughton high school she suffered a detached retina that allowed her to skip all sports and concentrate on art and botany. After St Martin’s, she wrote a handful of picture books for Lion publishing and later contributed illustrations to some of their religious books. In neither was she able to include her visions of the English countryside, and always felt these books were less than her best.

Her husband suggested that she turn her ideas conceived while commuting on the train journey to art school for a story about hedgerow life into a book. Barklem used this time to research English customs, flora, and other geographical and cultural details for her Brambly Hedge stories. Midwinter's Day is coming. Primrose and Wilfred are assigned to recite the Midwinter Poem, and they discover a secret staircase concealed in the attic and many old rooms within. They finally stumble down a secret tunnel making it in time for the Midwinter celebrations, but they keep the old rooms a secret. Poppy and Dusty have seen other so often. Dusty wishes to propose to Poppy. Wilfred and Primrose try to bring the couple together. Finally comes the day of the wedding. Unfortunately, Wilfred's blunder causes the wedding raft to drift down the stream, away from the bride, but Wilfred eventually manages to catch the raft and the wedding is saved. Winter Story (1980) – The biggest snowstorm in years leaves just enough snow for a party in a palace made entirely out of ice.The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge is a stop-motion animated series based on the eight Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barklem. The show was produced by HIT Entertainment; in the United States, episodes began airing on the Starz premium channel in 1997. [2] Cast [ edit ] Character