The Story of Brambly Hedge

Jill Barklem's first four stories of the mice of Brambly Hedge were published in the autumn of 1980. They were an immediate success and appeared in editions all over the world. Children (and adults too), were intrigued by the miniature community portrayed with such loving attention to detail, and would write to Jill with questions and comments, and always asked when the next book would appear.

Although SPRING STORY, SUMMER STORY, AUTUMN STORY and WINTER STORY were published in a small format especially chosen to reflect the diminutive nature of the mice and their lives, they took Jill every available working hour to produce and by the end she was exhausted. The kind of visual concentration needed for such detailed illustrations is very tiring, and Jill, who had had problems with her eyes ever since she suffered a detached retina as a child needed to take a rest from close work.

When she first embarked on the Brambly Hedge books, she and her husband David were living in a small house on the edge of Epping Forest. By the time the books were printed she was expecting a baby. Shortly after publication, Elizabeth was born. The new family now needed more space so they moved to a slightly larger house in Epping, where they were closer to Jill's parents.

While Jill was concentrating on her baby, Collins brought out a Brambly Hedge pattern book which showed the nimble-fingered how to make little replica mice from fur fabric. This was followed by a poster book. The illustrations were even more impressive when enlarged to show Jill's scrupulous draughtsmanship - the flour mill that really worked, the amazing detail of the numerous little rooms in Crabapple cottage.

Later there was a book of Brambly Hedge tunes for children to play on the recorder, address books and diaries, and before long a full merchandise plan had been put into place. It was now possible to buy Brambly Hedge plates and cups and saucers, Brambly Hedge shampoo and soap. But in spite of the popularity of these items, what the public really wanted was more stories.

	The Secret Staircase		The High Hills
	Sea Story		Poppy's Babies
	The Animated Brambly Hedge