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Brambly Hedge #1-8
Vyprávění z Ostružinového houští
Cupky dupky… slyšíte to? Co se to děje v Ostružinovém houští? To si myšky dělají zásoby na zimu! S příchodem jara pak popíjejí bezinkový čaj a užívají si první sluneční paprsky, v létě si chladí tlapky a ocásky v průzračné vodě a melou obilí. Z mouky pečou nejen svatební zákusky, ale na podzim také ty nejvoňavější ořechové a borůvkové koláče. Zamilujte si nádherně ilustrované příběhy Jill Barklemové, které si získaly oblibu po celém světě a nyní si je poprvé můžete přečíst také v češtině.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
184 people are currently reading
4359 people want to read
About the author
Jill Barklem
143 books254 followersJill Barklem (1951-November 15, 2017) was a British writer and illustrator of children's books. Her most famous work is the Brambly Hedge series.
After an accident when she was thirteen, Jill was unable to take part in PE or games at school and instead developed her talent for drawing and art. On leaving school, she studied illustration at St Martin's in London. She became a full-time illustrator. She spent five years on research before she started to write her first stories about the mice of Brambly Hedge.
After an accident when she was thirteen, Jill was unable to take part in PE or games at school and instead developed her talent for drawing and art. On leaving school, she studied illustration at St Martin's in London. She became a full-time illustrator. She spent five years on research before she started to write her first stories about the mice of Brambly Hedge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews
November 26, 2024
This was perfection, and I loved every page!
Jill Barklem’s writing and illustrations are more inspiring than I could ever express. These stories were wonderful and I can’t wait to re-read them for many years to come!
Jill Barklem’s writing and illustrations are more inspiring than I could ever express. These stories were wonderful and I can’t wait to re-read them for many years to come!
October 27, 2025
The Brambly Hedge is a collection of children's stories first published in the 1980s by beloved author Jill Barklem.
It follows a little mouse village set in the Brambly Hedge and goes throughout the year, following the various inhabitants as they go on adventures.
Spring Story
Poor little Wilfred becomes worried because no one seems to know it is his birthday...but little does he know, the entire village has a grand surprise for him!
Summer Story
Much grander than the picnics of spring, this summer wedding is a sight to behold!
Autumn Story
Winter Story
A beautiful ice castle, delectable treats and gorgeous gowns await!
The Secret Staircase
The High Hills
Only one problem...what happens when he becomes stuck?
Sea Story
Poppy's Babies
Overworked and overtired, she decides to visit a friend with her babies...and while she's gone, Dusty plans an amazing surprise for her!
It follows a little mouse village set in the Brambly Hedge and goes throughout the year, following the various inhabitants as they go on adventures.
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.
Poor little Wilfred becomes worried because no one seems to know it is his birthday...but little does he know, the entire village has a grand surprise for him!
Summer Story
"Poppy Eyebright, do you love Dusty Dogwood and will you love him and care for him for ever and ever?"Young Poppy and Dusty fall in love over the course of the summer and soon the whole village begins to prepare for a wedding!
Much grander than the picnics of spring, this summer wedding is a sight to behold!
Autumn Story
"Now keep close to me and don't get lost."Autumn is the time for excitement and adventure with the leaves changing colors, fall harvests and more. But then Primrose goes missing - and Lord and Lady Woodmouse don't know what to do. They simply must find their daughter before too late!
Winter Story
Deep in the dark roots of Brambly Hedge tiny lights appeared as lamps were lit in the windows.The cold of winter has set in and a blanket of snow has fallen. There hasn't been this much snow in years and according to tradition, it is time for the Snow Ball.
A beautiful ice castle, delectable treats and gorgeous gowns await!
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?
The High Hills
Mr Apple has to go to the High Hills to visit some of the isolated mice in need of supplies...and Wilfred invites himself along! Wilfred has heard of stories of gold in the mountains and will not miss this adventure for the world.
Only one problem...what happens when he becomes stuck?
Sea Story
Dusty, Poppy, Wilfred and Primrose have a very important mission for the mice of Brambly Hedge - and they have to sail out to the sea to accomplish it! Will they fulfill their mission? Will they even be able to come back??
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.
Overworked and overtired, she decides to visit a friend with her babies...and while she's gone, Dusty plans an amazing surprise for her!
November 15, 2015
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Okay folks, it's story time.
When I was a kid I used to live in Northern California in this super small town where there really wasn't much to do besides go to the movies and go to the library (or in the summer there was the swimming pool). With these options available to me I guess I'm not really surprised that I have an extreme love for books now. Our library was pretty small but they had quite a large children's section where looking back, I think I spent half my life there (it seems). I remember whenever we would go to the library I'd plop down on the floor just to look at these books (since I had already read them dozens of times) but I positively adored the pictures and they fascinated me at that age.
Over time I ended up forgetting all about these books... until just a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what triggered it but I had this vivid memory of me at my old library reading these books. It bugged me for WEEKS because I could not remember what they were called or who the author was so I could look at them once again. I ended up on this random classic book blog searching through about 2,000 items thinking that if I just saw the cover I would remember. And sure enough, I found them on this website! I found the complete collection of these books on the Book Depository and knew I had to own it.
As quoted by the author:
"Brambly Hedge is my ideal world. The way the mice live is completely natural, which is how I think life ought to be. They appreciate and use everything that grows around them. Theirs is a loving and caring society, but the mice are not just series and worth. They have FUN! Life is a series of picnics and gatherings, parties and outings."
Okay, so this really isn't a review but I felt the need to relay the huge impact that these books had on my childhood. They're the most darling stories and even more precious illustrations. My favorite illustrations were of their homes; they were extremely detailed and just looked like a fun place to be.
Okay folks, it's story time.
When I was a kid I used to live in Northern California in this super small town where there really wasn't much to do besides go to the movies and go to the library (or in the summer there was the swimming pool). With these options available to me I guess I'm not really surprised that I have an extreme love for books now. Our library was pretty small but they had quite a large children's section where looking back, I think I spent half my life there (it seems). I remember whenever we would go to the library I'd plop down on the floor just to look at these books (since I had already read them dozens of times) but I positively adored the pictures and they fascinated me at that age.
Over time I ended up forgetting all about these books... until just a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what triggered it but I had this vivid memory of me at my old library reading these books. It bugged me for WEEKS because I could not remember what they were called or who the author was so I could look at them once again. I ended up on this random classic book blog searching through about 2,000 items thinking that if I just saw the cover I would remember. And sure enough, I found them on this website! I found the complete collection of these books on the Book Depository and knew I had to own it.
As quoted by the author:
"Brambly Hedge is my ideal world. The way the mice live is completely natural, which is how I think life ought to be. They appreciate and use everything that grows around them. Theirs is a loving and caring society, but the mice are not just series and worth. They have FUN! Life is a series of picnics and gatherings, parties and outings."
Okay, so this really isn't a review but I felt the need to relay the huge impact that these books had on my childhood. They're the most darling stories and even more precious illustrations. My favorite illustrations were of their homes; they were extremely detailed and just looked like a fun place to be.
January 14, 2025
English version below⬇️
---------------
German version:
Sehr putzige Geschichten der Mausfamilien in und um Brambly Hedge mit wirklich detaillreich ausgearbeiteten Illustrationen, welche perfekt mit dem Text harmonieren. Der einzige Kritikpunkt ist, das die Geschichten zwar putzig sind, aber ich nicht wirklich von einer 'Handlung' sprechen würde.😅 Daher denke ich, dass sich das Buch an ein wirklich sehr kleines Publikum richtet, dem der Text vorgelesen werden soll und die Kinder sich dann die Bilder dazu anschauen können, um sich alles besser vorzustellen. Ich habe das Buch, aber auch nur wegen dem gefeierten Illustrationsstil 'gelesen'. 😅 Als Kleinkind hätte ich mich sicherlich sehr über die Geschichten gefreut und bedauere, dass ich es zu dieser Zeit leider noch nicht kennenlernen durfte..
Gesamt: 4,4🌟
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English version:
Very cute stories of the mouse families in and around Brambly Hedge with really detailed illustrations that harmonize perfectly with the text. The only criticism is that although the stories are cute, I wouldn't really call them a 'plot'.😅 Therefore, I think the book is aimed at a really young audience, to whom the text should be read aloud and the children can then look at the pictures to visualize everything better. But I also only 'read' the book because of the celebrated illustration style. 😅 As a toddler, I would certainly have loved the stories and regret that I wasn't able to get to know it at the time...
Overall: 4.4🌟
---------------
German version:
Sehr putzige Geschichten der Mausfamilien in und um Brambly Hedge mit wirklich detaillreich ausgearbeiteten Illustrationen, welche perfekt mit dem Text harmonieren. Der einzige Kritikpunkt ist, das die Geschichten zwar putzig sind, aber ich nicht wirklich von einer 'Handlung' sprechen würde.😅 Daher denke ich, dass sich das Buch an ein wirklich sehr kleines Publikum richtet, dem der Text vorgelesen werden soll und die Kinder sich dann die Bilder dazu anschauen können, um sich alles besser vorzustellen. Ich habe das Buch, aber auch nur wegen dem gefeierten Illustrationsstil 'gelesen'. 😅 Als Kleinkind hätte ich mich sicherlich sehr über die Geschichten gefreut und bedauere, dass ich es zu dieser Zeit leider noch nicht kennenlernen durfte..
Gesamt: 4,4🌟
----
English version:
Very cute stories of the mouse families in and around Brambly Hedge with really detailed illustrations that harmonize perfectly with the text. The only criticism is that although the stories are cute, I wouldn't really call them a 'plot'.😅 Therefore, I think the book is aimed at a really young audience, to whom the text should be read aloud and the children can then look at the pictures to visualize everything better. But I also only 'read' the book because of the celebrated illustration style. 😅 As a toddler, I would certainly have loved the stories and regret that I wasn't able to get to know it at the time...
Overall: 4.4🌟
March 29, 2022
I adored these books as a child so I thought I would revisit them and I was really pleased to find all the Brambley Hedge stories in the one book, including ones I hadn't read.
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.
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.
The book itself would be too heavy for a much younger child to hold but it makes good bed time reading and perfect for confident older readers too. I quite enjoyed having the 4 individual seasonal books when I was younger but this book makes good sense if you want to save space or take all the stories with you at once.
I am sure this will be treasured and passed down the generations in our family. If only the real world was as lovely as Brambly Hedge!
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.
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.
The book itself would be too heavy for a much younger child to hold but it makes good bed time reading and perfect for confident older readers too. I quite enjoyed having the 4 individual seasonal books when I was younger but this book makes good sense if you want to save space or take all the stories with you at once.
I am sure this will be treasured and passed down the generations in our family. If only the real world was as lovely as Brambly Hedge!
September 10, 2020
The next couple of days are dedicated to children's books. To simple times, cocoa by the fireside, running in the fields, and picnics.
Like I mentioned in my Peter Rabbit review, I loved the Brambly Hedge books a lot more. The stories are simple (and perhaps not so special in the long run), but combined with the illustrations they create this warm-hearted and cozy little world. I could have stared at the home cross-sections for hours. And the food! Treats for all tastes that inspired me to write down syllabub to my list of new recipes to try. I mean, white wine and whipped cream can't be bad, right?
Like I mentioned in my Peter Rabbit review, I loved the Brambly Hedge books a lot more. The stories are simple (and perhaps not so special in the long run), but combined with the illustrations they create this warm-hearted and cozy little world. I could have stared at the home cross-sections for hours. And the food! Treats for all tastes that inspired me to write down syllabub to my list of new recipes to try. I mean, white wine and whipped cream can't be bad, right?
November 16, 2023
An ideal collection of quaint stories to pull out and read during their corresponding seasons!
Written without much literary flare, the stories are sweet and simple. It’s really the illustrations that drive the page-turning. Pure eye-candy! I love the colors, the cozy cottage interiors and those pictures showcasing the layout of the houses with their many rooms, staircases and attics. Lovely!
Ages: 3 - 12
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
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Written without much literary flare, the stories are sweet and simple. It’s really the illustrations that drive the page-turning. Pure eye-candy! I love the colors, the cozy cottage interiors and those pictures showcasing the layout of the houses with their many rooms, staircases and attics. Lovely!
Ages: 3 - 12
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
October 15, 2022
The most darling of stories, I enjoyed all 8 tales of Brambly Hedge. My favorites were probably Summer Story, The Secret Staircase, The High Hills, and Poppy's Babies. But in truth, I loved them all and had a hard time choosing between any of them. The host of characters--Wilfred and Primrose, Dusty and Poppy, the Woodmouses, the Apples, and everyone in between, are so lovable and sweet. I for sure will be reading these cozy stories to my future children one day <3
March 27, 2025
Loved loved loved these stories and illustrations. I read this to my four-year-old, Primrose, and she loved them as well.
January 5, 2025
I dearly wish I could crawl inside the pages of this book and live in brambly hedge with all the little mice!
I am not suited for this mortal world.
I am not suited for this mortal world.
August 21, 2025
Always a joy.
Proceeding on quest to find a community of cake-baking mice living in hollowed out tree-mansions. Don't attempt to contact me.
I will be busy making jam.
Proceeding on quest to find a community of cake-baking mice living in hollowed out tree-mansions. Don't attempt to contact me.
I will be busy making jam.
February 10, 2024
I’ve always been partial to children’s stories involving mice (odd, I know) and this is by far the most darling collection I’ve ever encountered. Judson (and Kai) enjoyed it immensely for our morning time read-aloud, although I think I pored over the detailed illustrations every bit or more than them. This will be read and re-read a lot in our house, if I have any say in the matter. ☺️ It’s extra special since it was a Christmas gift from Grandma S. 💞
February 13, 2025
Update 2/25: this time through it was decided that we need to buy another copy so we can cut out the illustrations, frame them, and hang them in her room because that’s how obsessed she is (but the illustrations are truly gorgeous so I’m all for it) 🐭
update 12/24: girl wanted to read this again 🩷
7/24: Read aloud with 4yo girl. Just the sweetest. It is a perfect bedtime storybook. Rich illustrations, wonderful vocabulary, sweet stories. 🥹🫶🏼
update 12/24: girl wanted to read this again 🩷
7/24: Read aloud with 4yo girl. Just the sweetest. It is a perfect bedtime storybook. Rich illustrations, wonderful vocabulary, sweet stories. 🥹🫶🏼
February 22, 2017
My mum read me about two or three of the eight stories in this book in Dutch when I was a little girl. I loved them. The idea of mice having their own anthropomorphic world, the mice kids discovering hidden staircases, etc. was just amazing. The watercolour illustrations are up to the level of Beatrix Potter, extremely detailed, and as a kid, I remember trying to discover every teeny tiny detail in every picture. It was really nice to read the stories again in their own language. Moreover, all the extra stories were so enjoyable too. It is all just so well thought out, for example, the idea that for salt they go to the sea mice. Really enjoyable to read one of these stories a day!
May 30, 2025
I’ve adored the Brambley Hedge stories since I was a kid and it was a delight to share them with my children.
August 9, 2024
Pierwsza „prawdziwa” książka którą przeczytałyśmy z Elą - i pisząc „prawdziwa” mam na myśli taką dłuższą, nie na jeden raz, wszak 250 stron dla dwuipółlatka to nie lada wyzwanie! Pamiętam te książeczki z mojego dzieciństwa i nie mogłam przejść obojętnie obok tego przepięknego zbiorczego wydania. Historie są dość spokojne, idealne do czytania przed snem, wyciszające moją bardzo ruchliwą córcię, ale jednocześnie nie nudne. Ilustracje podbiły moje serce ♥️ Bardzo polecam do czytania z dziećmi, niezwykle wzruszająca książka 🥹
Read
August 6, 2018The pictures make me want to bake cakes daily.
February 20, 2025
This is just the perfect book for a sick day at home. Gorgeous sweet illustrations, and sweet stories too ❤❤❤
September 9, 2022
Cudownie ciepłe opowieści z równie cudownymi ilustracjami. Do wracania w gorsze dni.
July 5, 2020
Pure nostalgie dit, zo'n heerlijke wereld om in weg te kruipen als kind.
Het is mooi hoe de natuur tot in de kleinste details klopt en die dwarsdoorsnedes van de muizenhuizen zijn geweldig om te bekijken, ik weet nog zo goed hoe geweldig mijn eigen kinderen het vonden om al die gangetjes en trappetjes met hun vinger te ontdekken.
Mijn twee lievelingsverhalen zijn toch wel 'The High Hills' and 'Autumn Story'.
Voor een inkijkje:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCQ339DgxCP/
Het is mooi hoe de natuur tot in de kleinste details klopt en die dwarsdoorsnedes van de muizenhuizen zijn geweldig om te bekijken, ik weet nog zo goed hoe geweldig mijn eigen kinderen het vonden om al die gangetjes en trappetjes met hun vinger te ontdekken.
Mijn twee lievelingsverhalen zijn toch wel 'The High Hills' and 'Autumn Story'.
Voor een inkijkje:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCQ339DgxCP/
January 16, 2021
What a delightful collection of stories. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this with our children.
July 15, 2025
"When we're finished, I want to go right back to the beginning and start over."-Ben
November 3, 2023
Rich beauty for the eyes and ears
October 24, 2022
I owned one of these stories (the Winter one) as a kid and I remember spending literal hours staring at all the intricate details of the art, especially the cross section views of the trees that showed all the rooms and tiny bits and bobs of the mice's homes. The amount of detail and thought that went into these is incredible - they're planned out down to the plumbing and storage solutions, and don't get me started on the mill and the dairy. The stories are lovely, too, centred around kindness and community spirit but also well-plotted, with memorable characters and a warm humour. A very worthy trip down memory lane.
February 21, 2024
I borrowed this book from the library on the recommendation of someone I follow on IG…and I was only 15 minutes into it before I immediately ordered multiple copies.
I don’t know how I missed these delightful stories when our children were small. They remind me of Richard Scarry, Beatrix Potter, and Kenneth Graham books. They are gentle, fascinating stories about a village of mice. The illustrations are charming and exquisite.
I can’t wait to read these to young grandchildren!
I don’t know how I missed these delightful stories when our children were small. They remind me of Richard Scarry, Beatrix Potter, and Kenneth Graham books. They are gentle, fascinating stories about a village of mice. The illustrations are charming and exquisite.
I can’t wait to read these to young grandchildren!
May 14, 2019
Omg; nauseatingly cute. When I was a child I would have liked (not loved) the pictures of the interiors, and the words of the rituals (wedding, infant naming day) are pretty nice, but the stories are lame and the costumes are twee. My opinion.
March 9, 2021
I LOVE this book. The stories and illustrations are charming. I like this collection because the pictures are large, and it includes all 8 of the stories, some of which I hadn’t been able to access before.
February 26, 2017
These are the sweetest little stories and the artwork is just delightful. I wanted to make sure and add it here so I didn't forget how much I loved them.
December 11, 2023
My 6 year old and I just finished this collection. It was so lovely. The illustrations were delightful!
January 10, 2025
Nothing moves me quite like intricately illustrated books about mice. Lovely, cozy, utterly delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews