More Milly-Molly-Mandy

Milly-Molly-Mandy

by Joyce Lankester Brisley

Join Milly-Molly-Mandy and her friends on their adventures, picnics in the summer, sledging in the winter and fun all year round. These much-loved stories are true classics that can be enjoyed again and again.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Classics, Short Stories

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Joyce Lankester Brisley (6 February 1896 – 1978) was an English writer. She is most noted for writing and illustrating the Milly-Molly-Mandy series, which were first printed in 1925 by the Christian Science Monitor.

The second of three daughters of George Brisley, a pharmacist, of Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, Brisley's sisters - Ethel Constance, the eldest, and Nina Kennard, the youngest - were also illustrators. They studied art firstly at Hastings School of Art, then, following their parents' divorce in 1912 and the subsequent relocation of the girls and their father to Brixton, at Lambeth School of Art.

All three sisters illustrated postcards for the publisher Alfred Vivian Mansell & Co., with Nina (who also illustrated Elinor Brent-Dyer's Chalet School series) and Ethel becoming quite prolific. Brisley died in September 1978 at the age of 82.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely edition of a classic children’s book. It is a large format paperback and contains the original illustrations, but in colour. The publishers have kept to the original feel of the books, so the illustrations have a nice, retro feel to them and, often, part of the pictures are left black and white – which not only allows the characters to stand out, but also keeps that old-fashioned feeling.

There are ten stories in this volume of stories:
Milly-Molly-Mandy Gets up Early
Milly-Molly-Mandy Has a Surprise
Milly-Molly-Mandy Gets Up a Tree
Milly-Molly-Mandy Goes to a Concert
Milly-Molly-Mandy Has her Photo Taken
Milly-Molly-Mandy Goes to the Pictures
Milly-Molly-Mandy Goes for a Picnic
Milly-Molly-Mandy Looks for a Name
Milly-Molly-Mandy Gets Locked In
Milly-Molly-Mandy’s Mother Goes Away

These are delightful stories and really timeless, despite the fact that I imagine it could be hard to relate to some of the things mentioned in these books now. Even as a child myself, reading them in the late 1960’s they seemed like a different world. However, my daughter seems to take the differences in her stride and found it fascinating that you could only have your photograph taken by a professional photographer, for example, or that it was a real treat to go for a ride in a car. The only doubt she expressed was when Little Friend Susan’s mother called her baby Doris! However, with names coming back into fashion all the time, who is to say that this rather old-fashioned name will not, one day, make a reappearance…

Either way, the book, and this edition in particular, is a complete joy. This collection, plus the original “Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories,” are both available as colour editions and are the perfect introduction to this lovely world, charming characters and are a really fantastic addition to any child’s bookshelves.

This review is for the large format paperback colour edition of this book.

[Heather]

There were lots of things that happened to Milly Molly Mandy in this book. For one thing, she made a new friend.

The duckling Milly Molly Mandy bought in the first book grew up and his name is Dum-dum. Billy Blunt was going into school and Dum-dum was following him because he wanted to go to Milly Molly Mandy. The teacher said they didn't really want a duck at school. She said to toss the duck outside, and Milly Molly Mandy took him home with her at the end of the day.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book is just as sweet, delightful, and funny as the first. I love how kids can connect so easily to these stories. My favorites ones were when Milly-Molly-Mandy makes her own gang that goes around helping people and when she and Billy Blunt accidentally get their clean clothes all muddy.

The one very minor thing about this book is when MMM’s American cousins come to visit and one of her friends dresses up in a stereotypical Native American get-up. It’s nothing more than that though and I just edited that out.

I wish there were more books as funny and delightful as these.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first MMM book was simply charming. My girls enjoyed it to such a degree that we asked for the second volume of MMM stories for Christmas. If anything, I liked these even more! The first volume has a bunch of cute little everyday stories, but this one actually had several with morals that I really liked. Billy Blunt's character grew into a living breathing human, and his brusque-yet-gentlemanly personality really charmed my socks off this time.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet book all about Milly-Molly-Mandy , her family and friends and the simple fun and adventures they have together. I read this with my 9 year old and she loved it!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

More sweet stories of Milly-Molly-Mandy and her friends that are the perfect length for reading out loud. These simple stories of growing up transcend generations because they capture common childhood emotions.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

OH wow...hadn't forgotten, but hadn't put in either.
LOVED all of these....and can well remember receiving the books at intervals with cellophane wrapped packets of MMM handkerchiefs from a doting Godmother. Perhaps 1953 onwards....for 2 or 3 years.

[Mrs Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided as I spend a considerable amount of time reading to my son I'd include books we read together. His grandma bought this in a charity shop as it was familiar from her childhood. It's a quaint throwback to an era long gone.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

More adorable cozy stories about Milly-Molly-Mandy and her friends Susan and Billy. Nothing bad happens in these stories - the worst they come across is having to pick up litter left behind by other picnickers (the horrors!). Read this when you need an infusion of sweetness.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed this one much more than the first!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ 1 star for nostalgia

[Rapunzella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It´s great.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids should read this good stuff

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really good book because milly-molly-mandy is generaly outside.

[Judith Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite childhood book - I still love the little map of the village

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library book

[Kidsbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a wonderful set of books for kids to read. Milly-Molly-Mandy has fun adventures and a slower time of life is highlighted.

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well read book from childhood. When I re-read this to my own daughters they were not appreciative. It seems quite dated when compared to other classics such as Anne of Green Gables.

[Kendra Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how we love MMM!

[Superpopielica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as the first collection for some reason, but it still has some fun stories.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terribly nice. Rather dated by the sexism, but still fun.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this AGAIN with the kid. These stories never get old for us. Great for before bed.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the originals passed down from my mother. Such a classic children’s collection of stories.

[Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my first favourite novel.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite childhood stories!