Sea Story: Primrose and Wilfred Sail to Sandy Bay

Brambly Hedge #7

by Jill Barklem

It was summer, and Primrose woke knowing that it was going to be a very special day. The sun was already warm, and a light breeze stirred the leaves and branches of Brambly Hedge. It was a perfect day for a sailing adventure. Leaving the hedge behind, Dusty, Poppy, Primrose and Wilfred set off downstream in Dusty's boat the Periwinkle, on a journey that will take them all the way down to the sea. But it isn't all plain sailing. The mice have an important mission to fulfil before they can return to Brambly Hedge...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Summer, Fiction, Animals, Audiobook, Classics

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Jill 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.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the mice of Brambly Hedge run out of salt, a party is dispatched to Sandy Bay - a seaside settlement at the mouth of Brambly Hedge's stream - in Dusty Dogwood's sailboat, the Periwinkle, in order to fetch more of the precious commodity home. Dusty and Poppy - the murine couple whose romance is chronicled in Jill Barklem's Summer Story - together with their young friends Wilfred Toadflax and Primrose Woodmouse, have a pleasant adventure, both on the stream and in Sandy Bay, where they are hosted by Purslane and Thrift Saltapple and their family.

The third of Jill Barklem's "non-seasonal" Brambly Hedge titles - the initial four picture-books about this community of hedgerow mice were all issued together in 1980, each one focusing on a different time of year - Sea Story expands the wonderful world that the author has created, focusing on another mouse colony, away from the Hedge. But although the setting may be unfamiliar, the characters and their warm and friendly interactions are just the same, as are the charming illustrations! Like Wilfred and Primrose, I enjoyed this venture into new territory, and so will other fans of the Brambly Hedge books.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the now familiar Brambly Hedge explanation page at the front of each Brambly Hedge book. I’m regretting that I didn’t just simply read The Complete Brambly Hedge rather than the individual books. It’s a lovely collection, especially for those who appreciate these style of illustrations, which I do.

But I think I’m becoming a picture book curmudgeon. Between Goodreads and picture books I’m not having/taking enough time to read my novel and other full length books. I literally struggled through this one. I have two huge tote bags of books to return to the library tomorrow, and another bunch (not so many) to borrow, and I wanted to get this one in with the others.

For me, the illustrations make these books.

I did really enjoy the illustrations, and these were fun because I do really like boats and ships.

The story was just okay for me (see the curmudgeon note) and I think I might have enjoyed it more if I’d been reading it aloud to a child/children who were enjoying it.

I read the seasons books first and they remain my favorites. I think I’m on Bramley Hedge overdose. But, even as I child I think I’d have been captivated by the illustrations but found the story worth only one or maybe two readings; in other words, not a favorite.

The pictures are, as usual, exquisite.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Barklem's collection of stories about the mice of Brambly Hedge is a must have for any child's imagination. A beautiful beautiful book.

[Caleb Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me: What happened in this book?
C3: Primrose got lost again!
Me: No she didn't. Did they climb a mountain?
C3: Yeah!
Me: No they didn't. Are you in no mood for literary critiques?
C3: Runs off.

I do think this is her favorite one. She said she didn't like book #6 and wanted to skip to this one for some reason. This one does have a lot of good vocab and is the most adventurous of the books. I also think it may be a bit longer.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal favourite of the BH series. This is on the BH DVD and while they did add a few bits and pieces to make it more watchable, the book is certainly more of an adventure than some others. Barklem exchanges drawing the innards of tree-houses for painstaking details of a cross-section of Dusty's boat, and a view of the salt warehouse in the dunes. I did chuckle at the idea of "an apple" falling off the table and rolling onto the floor in a mouse-sized ship; compared to a fieldmouse, an apple would be enormous!! Maybe she meant a crab-apple, or maybe I didn't suspend belief high enough. LOL

My only problem with this story is reading it aloud; my aging tounge gets twisted everytime I have to read the names "Pebble, Shell and Shrimp." Dear little Shrimp.

[juliette]

read out loud with andrea <3

[miriam ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading cutesy little stories about cutesy little mice for my mental health is very demure, very mindful(ness)

[Marta Fernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lino, Amapola, don Polvorón y Rosalía emprenden un largo viaje, quieren llegar hasta el mar. Suben en su barco, llamado Bígaro, y van siguiendo pequeños riachuelos hasta llegar a uno que desemboque en el mar.
La tarea no será sencilla y habrá más de un revés por el camino pero consiguen ver el mar. Y allí conocerán a los Salino, una familia de ratoncitos como ellos que viven en una duna.
Es una historia muy cortita y entrañable con una ilustraciones clásicas muy bonitas, al estilo de los cuentos de Peter rabbit.
Edición en tapa dura (esquinas no redondeadas).
Tenéis más historias cortas como estas (unas treinta páginas aproximadamente): «La gran sorpresa», «Cuento de otoño», «Cuento de verano», «Cuento de primavera» y «Cuento de invierno».
-
A partir de 6 años
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Ejemplar cedido

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the Brambly Hedge books aloud to my tween even when she couldn't be bothered to pay attention! Always adorable drawings and charming stories, for children of all ages who love animals and intricate illustrations; the amount of detail Barklem puts into the mice's homes is amazing. A nice recommendation for fans of Beatrix Potter.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Brambly Hedge mice adventures on the sea! Perfect little summer story.

"I'm a salter on the salty sea
A-sailing on the foam,
But the salter's life is the sweetest
When the sail is set for home."

As always, the artwork is phenomenal.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Precioso <3

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the many stories I've shared with my daughter this year, 'Brambly Hedge' by Jill Barklem is a captivating gem. While I typically reserve my Goodreads list for my reads, avoiding the inundation of children's titles, this series might break that tradition next year. It's rare to find a series that delights both parent and child alike, but 'Brambly Hedge' has done just that. Its charm and whimsy have not only captured my daughter's imagination, making it her favourite series, but it has also enchanted me, marking it as the most charming series I've read this year. 'Brambly Hedge' is a heartwarming journey through a world rich in detail and wonder, a must-read for parents and children alike. And the illustrations!!! Perfection, I love the cutaways.
Of the series my ranking would be:

Poppy's Babies
High Hills
Spring Story
Sea Story
Winter Story
Secret Staircase
Summer Story
Autumn Story

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seventh of this excellent eight book series. This is a travel-themed story as a few Brambly Hedge mice sail by river to the ocean to meet some coastal mice. The pacing is a tad slow, particularly during the journey—there’s not a lot of conflict or tension. But Barklem’s illustrations, as always, are gorgeous and full of clever little details. I loved how the decor in the Saltapples’ home, built into the side of a sandy hill on the beach, was entirely ocean themed. There’s even a rocking seahorse.

Overall, another delightful entry in this series.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s possible to live a second story in the illustrations after reading the written tales in every Brambly Hedge book. This was an adventure down the river and to the sea for four of the small mice. How Jill Barkley makes their world so attractive can’t just be in the miniature scale of it, she adds much more. Read it twice, and know one of those times will involve some picture-living and supposing you lived there. That reading will take longer and be as rewarding as the first.

[Dafne · Rating 5 out of 5]

La última de las historias de esta colección.
Como siempre, me ha maravillado la historia sencilla y cargada de preciosa cotidianidad.

En esta ocasión, cuatro ratoncitos se aventuran hacia el mar para conseguir sal con la que hacer sus salazones y llenar la despensa. En su destino encuentran a una familia y descubren la vida en la costa, las comidas, los procesos y las pequeñas aventuras del día a día.

Una maravilla.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, this Brambly Hedge story was a lovely read. I liked seeing Wilfred and Primrose off on another adventure ~ this time accompanying Dusty and Poppy as they sailed to the sea to bring back salt to replenish the Hedge's stores. There was definitely much to learn about being a 'sea mouse' that was different from being a 'hedge mouse', and their new friends at the seaside were more than willing to help!
3.5 stars

[Kate H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently found all my old Brambly Hedge books and decided to re-read them. I am happy to report that the stores are just as good and the illustrations are just as gorgeous as I remembered them being. I think these are stories young and old alike can enjoy and the beautiful pictures will definitely be of interest to all ages.

[Zazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought the first 8 books in this series not really knowing anything about it. However, I've been enjoying them and hope that the kids I'll be sharing them with will also enjoy them. These books just tell a story about a family of mice who seem to go on an adventure all the time. And the books are cute. I think it's worth buying and reading. The kids will love them.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of adventure, as Primrose and Wilfred join Poppy and Dusty on a sailing trip to Sandy Bay to get more salt, as they have run out of salt in Brambly Hedge. As always, the illustrations are absolutely enchanting, full of very fine details with lots and lots to see.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful summertime caper. Primrose and Wilfred accompany Dusty and Poppy on a sailing adventure to the sea, to fetch some salt. It's nice to explore the world beyond Brambly Hedge and view other landscapes.

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm continuing my re-read of all these delightful stories this year, two for each season. They're absolutely lovely, full of humour and charm. This time, the little mice have adventures on the sea and I adored this story just like all the others. :)

[Nicholas & Megan Clinch · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 yr old reading aloud to 5 yr old with thorough attention & delight? Yes please! Respite from February ☔️

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. I loved these books as a child.

[Carfig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppy, Dusty, Primrose, and Wilfred join from the previous books I read and go on a sailing adventure downstream to buy salt and see the ocean.

[Tamara Zann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more enjoyable than the others in the series.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tätä kirjaa en muista aiemmin lukeneenikaan. Tiheikön väeltä on suola lopussa, joten Vesa, Esikko, Aimo ja Vuokko suuntaavat kulkunsa meren rantaan suolaa hakemaan.

[Gina Zappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouse. Beach. House. That is all. That is all the info you need!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook in youtube.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear. All the charm of Brambly Hedge, but by the seaside.