The Mice of Brambly Hedge Celebrate : Winter Story', 'Secret Staircase
Brambly Hedge Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
This special gift edition brings together two of Jill Barklem's tales about the mice of Brambly Hedge, and The Secret Staircase in one volume. The mice of Brambly Hedge have many adventures but they always have time for fun too. All through the year, they mark the seasons with feasts and festivities and, of course, the mice never miss an opportunity to meet and celebrate. In Winter Story a heavy snowfall means the mice can hold a Snow Ball for the first time in years, and in The Secret Staircase young Primrose and Wilfred stage a spectacular performance at the Midwinter Celebrations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the mice felt during their Winter Celebration, and why?
What are some ways the mice worked together to prepare for the celebration?
Can you imagine a secret staircase in our house? Where would it lead?
What was your favorite part of the celebration and why?
If you were a mouse in Brambly Hedge, what would you have contributed to the celebration?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing, emphasize the value of teamwork as shown by the mice working together. Relate this to everyday activities where family cooperation is essential.
Encourage visualization by asking your child to describe or draw their version of the 'Secret Staircase'. This fosters creativity and helps with comprehension.
Ask your child about their favorite celebration and draw parallels to help them connect personally with the story.
Discuss the different emotions depicted in the book, helping your child understand and express their own feelings about various situations.
Use the story’s setting to explore topics like seasons and how different creatures prepare for changes in weather, enhancing their understanding of the natural world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of community and teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Mice of Brambly Hedge Celebrate : Winter Story', the mice community comes together to organize a winter celebration, demonstrating how teamwork is essential for achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the value of collaborating with others, whether it's working on group projects at school or helping out in family activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: In 'Secret Staircase', the mice discover and creatively use a secret staircase, showing how curiosity and ingenuity lead to exciting discoveries and solutions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their daily endeavors, be it finding a new way to organize their toys or coming up with an inventive game to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Celebrating traditions and creating memories
Explanation: Throughout 'The Mice of Brambly Hedge Celebrate : Winter Story', the emphasis on festive celebrations highlights the importance of traditions in strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to participate in family traditions, understand their cultural heritage, and cherish the memories created with loved ones.
Example Lesson: Exploration and adventure
Explanation: The narrative in 'Secret Staircase' revolves around exploring unknown parts of Brambly Hedge, sparking a sense of adventure and discovery.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore their environment, be curious, and learn from their surroundings, whether it's a backyard or a local park.