Beatrix Potter books are having some of a renaissance at our house. In the UK, it’s almost impossible to escape Peter Rabbit themed merchandise and I’m sure that has in turn lead us to rediscover the series.

Having now lived in three different countries, I am always fascinated by how different authors or series make their mark. In Australia we immersed ourselves in books written by Mem Fox and Alison Lester - authors i’d never heard of it in the UK. Here, Julia Donaldson tends to dominate the picture book market, but Beatrix Potter remains as relevant as ever.

But with the current AI trend for Beatrix Potter style art going viral, I thought it was time to revisit the brilliance of Beatrix Potter.

Why I’m a Beatrix Potter Fan

Recently, I’ve spent many hours finding out more about Beatrix Potter the author for an upcoming project that i’ll share here soon. After reading biographies and watching documentaries, I was full of admiration for a woman who was well ahead of her time. I found her tenacious spirit and entrepreneurial attitude inspirational. It made me think of the barriers I often put in my own way and whether I should be approaching life a little bit differently.

One of the reasons I dislike the current AI trend is because it takes away from Beatrix Potter’s dedication to the study of animals. In addition to her literary talents, Beatrix can also be described as a scientist, preservationist, entrepreneur and farmer. So to reduce her work to a quick (and often inaccurate) AI rendering feels wrong.

Educated at home, Beatrix spent her time observing and illustrating the animals she kept as pets. By her early twenties, frequent visits to the The Natural History Museum honed her skills further and she dedicated herself to drawing the plants and animals she studied under the microscope. In 1897, her paper on mycology, ‘On the Germination of the Spores of Agaricineae,’ was presented to a meeting of the Linnean Society - albeit by a Kew Gardens mycologist as women were not allowed to attend.

It’s fair to say that, despite being born into a life of privilege, Beatrix faced many struggles and her path to success wasn’t clear cut. In fact, she was so fed up after receiving countless rejection letters from publishers that she decided to self-publish - something I had always believed to be a recent phenomenon. In 1901 she printed and sold 250 copies of Peter Rabbit before her agreement with Frederick Warne & Co.

And if you’ve ever wondered if Beatrix Potter would be rolling her eyes at all of the Peter Rabbit & Friends merchandise, you would in fact be wrong. Potter was something of a pioneer when it came to licensing her characters. She first patented Peter Rabbit in 1903, followed by board games, figurines, tea sets and puzzles, amongst other things.

After the tragedy of losing her fiance, Norman Warne, in 1905, Beatrix moved to the Lake District where she became heavily involved in the conservation of the local area. She was close friends with Canon Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley, one of the original founders of the National Trust. Her farm, Hill Top House and other properties were bequeathed to the National Trust upon her death. Today the farm is visited by over 10,000 tourists every year.

Why we love to read Peter Rabbit & Friends

An Immersive World

Because Beatrix Potter was a naturalist, her books, with their detailed illustrations, often form part of our nature studies. We now live in the English countryside and it’s quite easy to immerse ourselves in a world very similar to that of Peter Rabbit and his many famous friends.

When wandering through the local community allotments, it’s not too hard to imagine Mr McGregor chasing Peter.

Fox dens and badgers setts in the nearby fields make us wonder whether Mr Tod and Tommy Brock are lurking near.

And of course, the UK isn’t without it’s Beatrix Potter attractions. Whilst we haven’t made it to Hill Top yet, we did visit The House of the Tailor of Gloucester recently.

The museum was the house Beatrix Potter chose to draw whilst visiting Gloucester and it later inspired the story, The Tailor of Gloucester.

Short Stories for Afternoon Teatime

My two youngest children attend the local primary school, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t participate in afternoon tea reading sessions. Along with poetry, Beatrix Potter’s short stories are an ideal read.

In fact, I don’t understand why Beatrix Potter books are gifted to babies and donated to charity a few years later! Many parents mistakenly purge picture books when their children reach primary school, however I genuinely believe Peter Rabbit is one for keeps.

Whilst short, the vocabulary is rich. Indeed, one of the reasons we focus on children’s classics is because of the language. Recently, we found ourselves looking up the definition of ‘soporific’ after reading the word in The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.

And although some of the stories are quite questionable by modern standards, they also provide rich discussion points.

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Do you love Beatrix Potter stories? What’s your favourite story? I’d love to read your views!

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My daughter is 9 years-old, but I still read her a bedtime story every evening.

She’s won many awards at school for her reading. She’s read many classic chapter books independently. And as is so often the case with many avid readers, her stories are, to quote her teacher, ‘incredible’.

I’m aware that this is beginning to sound like an insufferable ‘show-off’ post, however, that really isn’t my point.

My point is, despite all of this, I continue to read aloud to her at bedtime.

A common misconception is that, once a child reaches a perceived 'independent' reading stage, bedtime stories are no longer needed. However, there are still many incredible benefits in reading aloud in the middle years of childhood (and beyond).

In fact, I think that read aloud sessions are so important that I always recommend it to the parents of the children I tutor at

Reading aloud is first and foremost, a great way to build connection. When life is busy, sitting down at the end of the day to read is a wonderful way to spend time together.

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Once you've past the picture book stage, chapter books are a great way to help your child widen their vocabulary. We mix classic stories with modern favourites, as we tend to find classic stories rich in language.

Whilst I was reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett to my daughter, we came across the word 'disconsolate' and she asked what that meant. We talked about using the text for clues and using a dictionary to look up the definition. By demonstrating what do when facing an unfamiliar word, my daughter knows what to do when she reads independently.

By reading aloud, you also teach your children how to read with expression. This can be difficult for emerging readers who need to work hard to sound out words. However, I’ve noticed, by demonstrating expression and changing character voice, all three of my children have been able to use expression in their own reading without being prompted to do so.

By continuing to read aloud in the middle years and beyond, you demonstrate the importance of reading. And whilst I’ve focused on my daughter in this post, both of my son’s (aged 7 and 16), have also built regular reading habits from our read aloud sessions.

As the BookTrust open letter 'Reading Together' states,

'Reading with children may sound like something which is nice to have in life, rather than something which is essential, but nothing could be further from the truth.'

But all this can be easier said than done. What about time? What about the expense?

Here's a few ideas:

- Make reading part of your regular daily rhythm so that it becomes a habit
- Join the library and visit regularly
-Initiate a book swap with friends and family
-Listen to audiobooks and podcasts
-Request books as gifts for birthdays and Christmas

What else would you suggest? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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And as for me, I’m in two minds about setting goals for the new year.

This year, I set (and surpassed) my goal of reading 52 books in one year. For some, this might seem like a rather lofty goal but to others, who manage to read over one hundred books in a year, it might seem a little unambitious.

Nevertheless, I didn’t find the challenge as enjoyable as I initially imagined. To start with, I was late to the party and I only began logging books this summer.

GoodReads has never appealed to me, partly because I don’t always have time to write intelligent reviews on the spot. So when I learnt about Fable and StoryGraph, I thought I’d try them out.

Signing up to both apps halfway through the year, then setting a 2024 reading challenge was a mistake on my part. It was surprisingly difficult to remember everything I had read, so I had to go back through my library borrow-list and rely on what I’d read on the Kindle for answers.

Then came the question, what actually counts? Since the read alouds I share with my daughter are all chapter books, I decided it was fair to include them, but what about any picture books that I shared with students? In the end, I decided to add them to my ‘read’ list since they did feature on the apps but by no means have all been included.

So has my challenge sucked the joy out of reading?

In short, it did - albeit briefly. That was when I decided to stop logging in to StoryGraph and Fable for a few months. I’ve only just recently starting adding books again during the lull between Christmas and New Years.

Setting a reading goal had a strange effect on me. I started race - reading and slugging through books that I would normally DNF. I understand why many book bloggers lament the fact that DNF books don’t count towards goals. It was pretty frustrating to DNF a book three-quarters of the way through and find it didn’t count.

Then came the comparison to others who would announce they had finished their reading goal months before December. Some reading over one hundred books which led me to question whether I could really call myself a reader.

However, now that the year is over, I have to admit that I have set a reading goal for 2025. It’s a fairly simple one this time: to read 25 books in 2025. I’ve also set the additional challenge of reading books I’ve purchased but haven’t started yet. This should keep me busy for a while because my Kindle is packed full of books that I have bought but forgotten. There’s something about buying books on my Kindle that makes me feel like I’m not spending real money.

Have I spent more money on books?

Speaking of money, have I spent more on books? Yes, I absolutely have. But it isn’t all because of the challenge - there is another factor at play here: I moved back to the UK at the end of 2023. Prior to that, I lived in Vienna, Austria and Canberra, Australia - in those 9 years away, I spent less on books due to the higher costs.

After years of relying on my Kindle, I’m enthusiastically adding to my physical library. In my defence, books are my only real luxury. I also regularly borrow books from my local library which has allowed me to try a wider range of books.

Whilst I do love aesthetic hardback books, which are usually more expensive, the challenge has little to do with my decision to buy them. Most covers available on the apps are not the covers I own.

Fable does have a social media function, with users sharing gorgeous book stacks but it isn’t something I’ve explored yet. Most week, I struggle to keep up on Substack!

Has the challenge changed my reading habits?

I’m more aware of when I’m reading but the challenge hasn’t really changed my habits. As a mother of three and private tutor, reading features heavily in my day-to-day. Even if I don’t read my own books, I’m always committed to a chapter at bedtime or a short picture book.

When I stopped taking the challenge so seriously and ditched attempting to add accurate dates, the act of logging books became much more enjoyable.

It’s interesting to have a log of everything I’ve read. I can see trends here and there - most recently, I’ve gone down a rabbit hole of biographies and autobiographies of famous children’s authors.

I’ll be sharing my December ‘read’ list in the next few days.

Have you set a reading goal for 2025?

I’d love to know if you set yourself a reading goal. Let me know by participating in the poll or commenting below:

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I still have many Christmas books to read; a snowy scene jigsaw to finish and an entire festive themed Brambly Hedge colouring book that I haven’t even had the chance to look at yet.

But what I mostly feel the urge to do is sit in our cosy living room and watch Christmas movies. Whilst I do love Hallmark style Christmas movies, my absolute favourites are page to screen adaptions of my childhood favourites.

This post might be slightly controversial. You might scoff at some of our choices or debate whether the selection is truly ‘Christmassy’. Read on to find the reasons for our favourites.

Little Women - 1994 version

I’m currently re-reading Little Women and in my opinion, the 1994 adaptation is the superior watch.

This might be nostalgia driven, because I vividly remember watching Little Women in the cinema as a 10 year old. As an only child myself, I found the relationship between the four sisters enchanting and the Christmas scenes made me desperately want to time travel to the 1800s .

Where to watch - Amazon Prime (UK)

From Time to Time

From Time to Time is adapted from Lucy M Boston’s children of The Chimneys of Green Knowe and stars Dame Maggy Smith and Dominic West.

Whilst the Children of Green Knowe (first in the series of books) is more linked with a Christmas theme, From Time to Time is a lovely movie with a slightly spooky twist.

Where to watch - Amazon Prime (UK)

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Admittedly, the Disney adaptation of The Nutcracker hasn’t got the best of reviews, but that doesn’t seem to matter to my nine year old daughter who has watched this movie many times over.

Where to watch - Disney Plus

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

I watched the BBC version of Narnia when I was a child and whilst I’d like to believe that it is still the superior version, the glossy big-budget remains a fantastic Christmas movie almost 20 years after its initial release.

“It is winter in Narnia,” said Mr. Tumnus, “and has been for ever so long…. always winter, but never Christmas.”

A world where it is always but never Christmas really captured my imagination as a child and the arrival of Santa Claus felt magical. My children love to watch this movie, especially after reading the book at bedtime.

Where to watch - Disney Plus

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Harry Potter movie series

Many families watch the Harry Potter series as a movie marathon, but since my youngest child is only 6 we often stick to the first two.

In my opinion, the most ‘Christmassy’ of the Harry Potter movies are ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’ - where Harry is fully embraced by the Weasley Family and receives a Weasley jumper - and ‘The Goblet of Fire’ - mostly due to the Yule Ball scenes.

Where to watch - Netflix UK

Ballet Shoes

My daughter loves Noel Streatfeild books. She’s currently reading Ballet Shoes after receiving the hardback version for her birthday. We’re also reading Streatfeild’s Christmas short stories at bedtime.

I remember watching Ballet Shoes (starring Emma Watson), when it was shown on the BBC over Christmas time which is why I decided to download it again as something to watch when we finish reading the books.

Where to watch - pay to view on Amazon UK

Julia Donaldson adaptations

In my list above, I’ve included Stick Man and The Gruffalo’s child, but in reality any Julia Donaldson adaptation is synonymous with Christmas - at least in the UK.

Every Christmas, for around 12 years, the BBC and Magic Light pictures have released a new Donaldson classic. It has become something of a British Christmas tradition and this year it was the turn of Tiddler the fish which premiered on Christmas Day.

Where to watch - BBC iplayer UK (also available to purchase on YouTube and Apple TV)

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Again, whilst not technically Christmassy, this adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s classic book was first shown on Christmas Eve in 2016.

There’s something magical about childhood favourites being turned into tv adaptions and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt makes for a wonderfully calming watch after all the chaos of Christmas.

Where to watch - Channel 4 on Demand (UK) and Amazon Prime

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

This beautiful tale of friendship and courage does feature plenty of snow but Christmas isn’t the main theme of the movie. When Charlie Mackesy released the book in 2019, it became a hit and the pages are regularly quoted on socials. Adults who we’re looking for comfort during the Covid pandemic particularly resonated with the book.

So the screen adaptation (originally released on Christmas Eve 2022), feels like the perfect choice for those ‘down days’ between Christmas and New Year when it suddenly dawns on you that all the festivities are almost over for another year.

Where to watch - BBC iplayer UK, Amazon Prime and Apple TV

The Man who Invented Christmas

Whilst technically not a page to screen adaption, The Man who Invented Christmas charts the story of Charles Dickens and his creation of A Christmas Carol.

I have something of an obsession with biographical movies of authors (my favourites being Goodbye Christopher Robin and Tolkien), and I love finding out more about the creation of classic stories.

Where to watch - Amazon prime, Apple TV, YouTube (purchase only)

Peter Pan (1953) + Finding Neverland

Peter Pan was originally a stage play, first appearing on the 27th December 1904. Since then, Peter Pan has become intrinsically linked with UK Christmas entertainment.

A family tradition of many British families is to watch a pantomime adaptation of Peter Pan. However, a more accessible way to watch is one of the many screen versions. My personal favourite is the Disney film from 1953 although a special place in my heart will always be reserved for Hook which I remember watching in the cinema as a child.

As I mentioned above, I love biographical movies so I’ve also included Finding Neverland for a small insight into J.M Barrie’s life. In the new year, I will be sharing my favourite autobiographies and biographies of famous children’s authors.

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Where to watch Peter Pan - Disney Plus

Where to watch Finding Neverland - YouTube (pay to watch)

The Muppet Christmas Carol

This might be the most controversial inclusion on my list, but please don’t leave yet. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a fantastic introduction to the world of Dickens. Yes, Charles Dickens and many of the characters are Muppets, which is hardly highbrow, however it’s funny and memorable. Michael Caine puts in a stellar performance as Scrooge, and after a while, you stop noticing that he is acting alongside puppets.

I was nine when this movie was first released and my own nine year old daughter recently watched it and found it hysterical. And just like I did, I imagine she will remember the basic story and go on to read the book.

Where to watch - Disney Plus

Mary Poppins + Saving Mr Banks

I have a confession to make, I don’t actually like PL Travers Mary Poppins series but I do love the film adaptation.

Again, originally released over Christmas (December 23rd 1964 - UK), Mary Poppins is something we watch every holiday season.

I’d also recommend a watch of Saving Mr Banks as it details a fascinating insight into how Walt Disney finally persuaded PL Travers to sell him the film rights after 20 years of negotiation.

Where to watch - Disney Plus

Polar Express

I’m including Polar Express, but I much prefer the book. Something about the film characters feel strange to me - the faces have ‘uncanny valley’ vibes. But nevertheless, many families love to have Polar Express themed movie nights complete with printed train tickets over the festive season so I’ve decided to include it regardless.

Just before Christmas, I finished a Polar Express curriculum unit with my students which is perhaps why this film is on my mind this year.

Where to watch - Now Premium Subscription

Mog’s Christmas

I loved the Mog series of books as a child. In fact, any book by Judith Kerr remains a family favourite.

Last Christmas, the whole family - grandparents included - sat down to watch the animated adaption of Mog’s Christmas. It’s a charming, traditional take on Christmases past and again, makes for a lovely relaxing watch after all the excitement.

Where to watch - Channel 4 on Demand

Raymond Briggs Adaptations

The Snowman, The Snowman and the Snowdog and Father Christmas are all adaptations of Raymond Briggs picture books.

The Snowman, which was first screened in 1982, became an instant classic and really changed the landscape for page to screen Christmas adaptations. Really, it’s because of the success of The Snowman and the instant hit ‘we’re walking in the air’ that so many of the other picture book adaptations feature on this list.

Where to watch - Channel 4 on Demand

A note on the films included

I haven’t included age ratings in this list, however Common Sense Media is a great resource for researching movies that are suitable for your children.

I’ve done my best to include a ‘where to watch’ section, but keep in mind that I live in Britain and therefore, the list is only truly accurate for British readers.

Share your Christmas Favourites

What page to screen adaptations are your favourite? Let me know by sharing adding a comment below:

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Reading Rituals has been on my ‘to do’ list for years, and it was one of my goals to get started in 2025. An international house move (back to the UK from Vienna) along with a house and garden renovation put my plans on hold, but I’m very eager to get cracking with plans for this page in the new year.

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Because I work as a private tutor, the end of the year has been full of festive reading joy. I’ve read plenty of Children’s Christmas classics with my students and we’ve had so much fun making the books come to life.

But now that I’ve finished work for Christmas celebrations, my thoughts have turned to my own reading list for Christmas. Admittedly, my book pile grown larger and larger - it’s pretty unlikely that I’ll get through them all! However, I wanted to share what’s on my list.

I’ve spent the last few evenings cosied up on the sofa reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women by candlelight. It feels like the perfect choice for the Christmas season and has also inspired us to make orange garlands and paper snowflakes.

But in addition to my first Christmas read of the season, I’ve been enthralled by the A.A Milne biography, Goodbye Christopher Robin by Ann Thwaite. Which has rather reignited the Winnie the Pooh obsession I had growing up. What I hadn’t realised, whilst reading the classic books in my earlier years, was the negative impact the books had on the real Christopher Robin. His childhood fame caused him to be horribly bullied at Stowe School (very close to where I live) which has led me down the path of researching other famous children’s authors and their families. I’m planning to do a blog post on this subject in the new year.

On the Christmas bookshelf

A few days ago, I bought a cute Christmas bookshelf themed card and pin badge in my local library. Both are by an illustrator called Laura Crow - I was rather intrigued by her choices. We have most books on her list, although I must admit that I needed to look up Blue Carbuncle (Sherlock Holmes) and Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Agatha Christie).

New to our Christmas bookshelf is ‘Letters from Father Christmas’ by J.R.R Tolkien. Again, this choice was influenced by watching Tolkien (2019). The film focuses on Tolkien’s early life but right at the end, there is a snapshot into the adventures he had with his four children. Letters from Father Christmas is a rather charming insight into Tolkien as a father. I’m planning to dip into these letters throughout the festive season.

Our Christmas Favourites

Now that my children are growing older, we’ve moved past festive picture books to chapter books. My nine year old daughter and I are currently reading ‘Noel Streatfeild’s Christmas Stories’ whilst my teen son has been reading A Christmas Carol.

I’m eager to know what you would add to the list? I feel like my list is very ‘British’, especially with the inclusion of Peter Pan. For those who don’t live in the UK, Peter Pan is a very classic choice for ‘Pantomime’ season.

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I hope that you all have a wonderful festive season with those that you love. Next week, I will be posting a Festive Book and Movie pairing blog to help you occupy the in-between season.

Siân x

For me, Autumn always makes me think of new beginnings because the new school terms in Britain starts in September. Autumn also puts us in the mood for adventures and books with a spooky twist.

I’ve come to realise that the books I grew up with in the UK might be different to those that are favourites in other parts of the world. So with that in mind, I’d love to hear from you too. What would you consider a classic children’s book to read during the Autumn months?

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I’m currently writing this post on the Substack app whilst on holiday in Wales so you’ll have to forgive the list-style format. To be honest, I’m not even sure what this post will look like once published! Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be adding more detailed posts on all of our favourites.

Themes we love during the Autumn months

• Books with a back to school theme, particularly those that are set within a boarding school - like Malory Towers

• Books that are set within the natural world, such as The Animals of Farthing Wood and Brambly Hedge

• Books that observe the seasons - Anne of Green Gable, for example

• Books that take the reader on an adventure - like The Hobbit

• Books with a supernatural theme, such as The Children of Green Knowe

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Picture Books

Visual literacy is a vital part of the reading process and for that reason, we continue to read picture books. They are great as a short teatime read or when we are between longer chapter books.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

• Brambly Hedge Autumn Story by Jill Barklem

• Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

• Autumn with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

• Autumn by Gerda Muller

• The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Chapter Books

Books to read as part of a read aloud session or part of independent reading. I’ve aimed to put them in order (in terms of length) with shorter chapter books at the start of the list.

• Winnie The Pooh by A.A Milne

• Paddington Bear by Michael Bond

• The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

• The Witches by Roald Dahl

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

• The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

• Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling

• The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

• The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

What would you add?

What books say ‘Autumn!’ To you? I’d love to read your suggestions…

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First on the list of my ‘must-go’ destinations was Hay-on-Wye. In fact, I felt like I couldn’t truly call myself a book lover without visiting the ‘World’s first book town.’ Located on the English / Welsh border, we found the perfect opportunity to go whilst visiting family in Swansea.

We unwittingly stumbled upon Trericket Suspension Bridge before we reached Hay. Built in the 1930s, travelling across the single-file bridge was quite the experience. Thrilling and slightly terrifying in equal turns, it was the perfect storybook start to a bookish day out.

The Children’s Bookshop

Our first official stop was The Children’s Bookshop - although we almost missed this treasure trove as it isn’t in the centre of Hay. The selection was incredible with a lot of harder to find novels lining the shelves. When I did my research on Hay, this was the bookstore I wanted to visit the most. I even timed our visit to coincide with opening days as the store is only open from Tuesday to Saturday.

The owner was friendly and helpful, taking time to show my youngest children the books they were searching for. Despite being the only customers in the shop, the owner didn’t hover over us.

I was ecstatic to find a copy of Lewis Carrol’s complete works which was identical to one my grandma gifted me for my 1st birthday. My original copy hadn’t done well after years spent in the garage so aside from the cover and inscription, I had to unfortunately throw out my own mouldy version. I have felt sad about that recently so I was happy to buy the book back again.

The books were reasonably priced, considering. Many of the books were intended for collectors but we still managed to find a few bargains, including some vintage Mallory Towers books and The School at the Chalet series I’ve been searching for.

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As you can see from the photographs above, there was shelves upon shelves of beautiful vintage books available.

Whilst I did love this bookshop, I would advise caution before blowing the entire budget (if this is your first stop). In Hay itself there are plenty of books available for children at a lower price.

Be aware that it is quite hard to park at The Children’s Bookshop and it’s a little too far away from the main town to walk.

Hay -on-Wye Centre

Once we arrived in Hay on Wye itself, we were pleasantly surprised by the ample parking spaces available. I had assumed that visiting at lunchtime during the school holidays would mean circling for a space, but there were plenty to be found at the main carpark (located right next to the craft centre and tourist information).

After strolling around Hay and soaking in the atmosphere, we visited the Broadstreet Book Centre . Whilst one of the smaller bookshops we visited, there was plenty of choice for secondhand books at a really reasonable price. My daughter ended up buying several books, including Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.

We made a quick pitstop in The Granary for coffee and cake, before visiting the British Redcross Bookshop. Standalone charity bookshops are something of an institution in the UK and there is always a bargain or two to be had. This was the cheapest bookstore we found on the day and was again ideal for children’s books. When we visited, they had an excellent collection of Famous Five Books.

Next up was The Literature Laboratory, located on market street. Specialising in children’s books, wellbeing and unique gifts, this was one of my favourite places. All of the books were brand new - so you won’t find a bargain here - but it was great for picking up gift books and bookish memorabilia.

No trip to Hay is complete without visiting Richard Booth’s bookstore. Richard Booth was dubbed ‘The King of Hay’, and bought the shop after running out of room for his huge book collection. Located on Lion Street, the store is an absolute treasure trove of new and second-hand books. Locals dub this place ‘the world’s biggest secondhand bookshop’ and they are probably right. The store itself is spread over three floors, so you could easily spend the entire day there.

One of the more unique locations we visited was the Honesty Bookshop in the grounds of Hay Castle. Unfortunately we had ran out of coins by this point, so we didn’t buy any books here - we’ll know better for next time!

Other bookstores worth a mention were Clocktower Books, Addyman Books and North Books. Whilst both Clocktower and Addyman specialised in beautiful secondhand collectors books, North Books had a fantastic selection of contemporary, new fiction. And it was at North books that I bought my final purchase - a brand new tote bag to carry all the books in!

Good to know before you travel:

Hay is a small town and it’s good to know that some of the bookstores aren’t open every day. If you have a specific place in mind that you desperately want to visit, check the opening times first.

There aren’t many public toilets around. The only one we found was right by the carpark. Whilst I don’t begrudge them for charging (apparently the facilities are in danger of closing), they cost 30p and don’t give any change. There were no attendants available when we visited and it wasn’t ideal trying to get two young children through the gate.

Parking was good, the parking machines were pretty slow. They do take cards, but it’s probably best to take some change for parking too.

We visited with our three children, and they were welcomed, however I would love to go back another time without them so I can browse at leisure. I’m not being mean, but navigating some of the stores with the narrow shelves and rare books was a little stressful at times!

Whilst Hay-on-Wye is a bookish town, it is also so much more than books. There are plenty of beautiful independent stores and antique centres to browse. If like me, this is your thing, allow additional time to explore.

All in all, we spent around 4 hours in Hay, but we could’ve easily spent an entire weekend there. I’m hoping to go back very soon!

Finally, if you are heading on to South Wales after your trip, set your Satnav via The Brecon Beacons. I hadn’t visited since my own childhood and the scenery was just breath-taking!

Have you visited Hay?

If you’ve visited Hay-on-Wye, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have any additional recommendations on bookstores or places to explore? Let me know in the comments.

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Google Maps Links

Whilst I’ve linked all of the places we visited, I thought you might also appreciate the Google Maps list I created.

Like, Share!

If you enjoyed this post, please link and share it. This is a brand new Substack venture for me, so I appreciate you spreading the word :)

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It’s fair to say that Brambly Hedge is having a pop culture moment. I see constant references to it all over social media but then again, maybe that’s just my algorithm. 

I was first introduced to the series during my own 1980s childhood. Growing up in the English countryside, the bucolic images were all too easy to imagine. The series was comforting and, for a child who spent a lot of time in the world of make-believe, I loved imagining a hidden world of anthropomorphic field mice in the forests and fields near my house. 

Fast-forward 30ish years and I am fully immersed in the world of Brambly Hedge once more. Maybe it’s because I’ve just moved back to the small English village that I grew up in after 10 years of expat city life. Or maybe it’s because like many millennials, I’m craving a slower pace of life. 

But what is it exactly that makes Brambly Hedge so appealing? I’ve recently re-read all of the stories to my children and here are my personal thoughts.

Wholesome Storytelling

The stories themselves are very gentle. Slightly longer than the average children’s book, they make an ideal transition for young children who are not quite ready for chapter books.

My 8 year-old daughter likes to re-read the series in between longer novels, sometimes opting for a short Brambly Hedge story as a way to decompress after school. The stories act like an insight into family life in a countryside community, focusing on events such as the harvest or seasonal celebrations.

The Brambly Hedge stories have gone hand-in-hand with my own children’s storytelling during play. I often find them recreating the Brambly Hedge world with Maileg mice. And if that all sounds a little tooth-achingly sweet, then you probably should check out my original Substack for my insights into play-based learning.

In the world of Brambly Hedge, there is very little threat. Or at least, nothing truly terrifying. When the young mouse Primrose goes missing in Autumn Story, we know that everything will work out in the end. The same can be said for The High Hills and Sea Story where any mishaps are short-lived. When we compare these mice to the ones in other stories, The Gruffalo for example, they live a very genteel life that is comforting. 

Ultimately, if you’re having a bad day or modern life is getting a little crazy, reading a Brambly Hedge book is the ideal antidote. 

Gorgeous Illustrations 

In my opinion, the quality of Jill Barklem’s illustrations far surpasses most children’s books available today.  The illustrations are incredibly detailed and it’s all too easy to find yourself immersed in the world of Brambly Hedge mice. 

Every time I read the series to my own children, I find myself discovering new details. Brambly Hedge is a series that you don’t rush through. There are no quick turns of the page or skipping over the illustrations in favour of the written text. 

The illustrations are cosy and, despite being written in the 1980s, are more evocative of Edwardian era England. The Edwardian era itself has often been viewed as the period when childhood was invented1. There certainly was a proliferation of children’s writers during that period including Lewis Carroll, JM Barrie and Beatrix Potter. It leaves me wondering if the illustrations themselves were a nod to that specific time period and it’s connections with childhood ideals.

I also love that these illustrations put a certain expectation on the reader. There is no assumption that the audience needs a very basic drawing in primary colours. In the world of Brambly Hedge, the illustrations are just as important as the story.

It isn’t just the quality of illustrations but the research that went into each page. The attention to detail visible in the homes of the mice, the food and festivals helps us to feel fully immersed in the world of the Brambly Hedge mice. 

In a The Guardian article from 2023, Jill Barklem’s son, Peter, states:

‘One of the wonderful things about Mum’s books is that you can take them out into green spaces and observe the leaves and flowers in front of you in the same way that they appear on the pages, such was the accuracy of her research and the detail of her illustrations’

‘Jill Barklem’s family find tree that inspired her Brambly Hedge tales’ by Sarah Shaffi 4/04/23

Celebrating the Changing Seasons 

I’ve long been a believer in seasonal rhythms. Celebrating each season as it comes has helped both me and my family to enjoy life year-round. We aren’t just waiting out for Christmas or the summer holidays. When you adopt a seasonal approach to life, there is more to look forward to. 

And so for me, one of the biggest appeals of Brambly Hedge is the focus on seasonal events. The original 4 books (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), each give us insight into life and celebrations during the seasons. 

As an outdoorsy family, we love to spot Brambly Hedge in the real world as the seasons change. It makes us more aware and mindful of the natural world that surrounds us. The children love to compare the real-world blackberry bushes and apple trees we see out in the countryside to those in Brambly Hedge. It’s fair to say that the series has also inspired us to make more homemade pies, cakes and crumbles too!

Share your thoughts!

Do you love Brambly Hedge? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

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Once Upon a Time…

There was a mother who loved nothing more than to read bedtime stories to her three children every evening. She found these precious moments the perfect antidote to the stress and busyness of modern life.

Every evening the mother and her children were transported to different realms. They followed with rapt attention through the wardrobe to Narnia, laughed and cried with Anne of Green Gables and kept their fingers crossed throughout Charlotte’s Web for Wilbur to have a happy ending.

And through these adventures, they found their own lives improving. They sought out bookish escapades in the real world, escaping the dreariness of schedules as much as possible. They hosted tea-times with their literary friends and travelled to towns and cities around the UK to seek out their favourite authors.

But if we must also talk about academic improvement, lets just say this: the children performed well in the comprehension and spelling tests they had to sit at school. They were complimented on their ability to use their imagination in play, which also translated into the stories they wrote. In short, learning was fun and magical without it feeling much at all like learning.

Of course, the mother in question is me and the three are my own children - now aged 6,8 and 15.

Why I’m launching this page

When I think about what reading has become in some schools, I despair. Joy is sucked right out of the ‘learn to read’ process with regimented phonics lessons and pressure to perform well in reading comprehension tests. Often the pure joy of story is removed in favour of the mechanics of reading.

Whilst I do believe that comprehension is an important skill, I don’t believe that testing everything makes reading very enjoyable. Both of my youngest children have to take a test before they are even allowed to borrow another library book - talk about sucking the wonder out of reading!

So that’s where the idea for ‘Our Reading Rituals’ came from. Fighting against the test-led approach to reading, in favour of something special. Reading should be an event, something full of magic and wonder. And this is exactly what I plan to explore through this blog.

As a former primary school literacy specialist, I feel like I have a lot to say on the subject of reading for pleasure. I was responsible for helping reluctant readers and gifted and talented students alike. The key has always been making reading magical. Today, I work with parents from all over the world through online courses, workshops and coaching.

When I’m not writing articles for this page, I work in the local community helping children with reading in writing. This Autumn, I will also be launching an online literacy programme for home-schoolers.

Who is this for?

Our Reading Rituals is for parents and educators. You might be an educator looking for ideas on how to make your school literacy programme feel more magical or a home-school parent seeking help from a qualified educator or perhaps you’re a parent looking for ways to make reading more enjoyable at home.

What to Expect

Since this is a new venture, I’m pledging to write one new blog post every week. Free content will include:

• Advice on how to raise a reader

• Bookish tours

• Our favourite read aloud stories

• Bookish teatime ideas

• Reading Lists

In addition to this, I will be offering literacy curriculums based on classic stories for home-schoolers or parents looking to infuse magic and wonder back into reading.

Why pledge your support Our Reading Rituals?

Once this page is up and running, I will turn on the paid subscription button. When you pay to subscribe, you are helping me to dedicate more time to my main mission: helping parents understand the importance of reading aloud throughout childhood.

Whilst I love providing free content to everyone, unfortunately that alone does not pay the bills. The more people who pay to subscribe, the more time I can spend writing about the important topics that matter to you.

Paid Subscribers will receive:

• Access to Dragon Cottage Book Club which includes question prompts and the option to join monthly Q& A sessions - more information coming soon.

• Access to curriculum overviews that are perfect for home-schoolers and parents looking to enrich their child’s literacy at home.

• Access to workshops, including ‘How to Raise a Reader’ which will be released in October.