Sunday, 19 April 2015

Milly Molly Mandy Stories

I'm popping in to thank those of you who visited my Dollytime Facebook page and entered the recent 'Dolly Giveaway' by choosing a name for this little girl.  The winner has given her the pretty name 'June' and she will soon be skipping around in lovely Hampshire.

 
I mentioned previously that she would make a perfect pupil in Miss Read's 'Village School' stories but several of you have suggested she could also be a character in the Milly Molly Mandy books and I have to agree. 
 
If you're familiar with my blog you'll probably know that I have a selection of Milly Molly Mandy books and as you can see they aren't in the best condition as the much loved stories have been read countless times over the years. They aren't exciting stories by today's standards but could perhaps best be described as 'comfort reading'. Milly Molly Mandy and her friends enjoy roaming around in the countryside, having picnics in hollow tree trunks, cooking potatoes on bonfires and spending a few pennies at the village fete.
 
 
 
The stories, written and illustrated by Joyce Lankester Brisley, were first published in the 1920s and the wonderfully detailed illustrations give a romantic view of life in an English village at that time. Milly Molly Mandy, always wearing a pink and white striped dress, lives with her family in a 'nice white cottage with a thatched roof'.


 
Her best friend lives in a nearby farm and is affectionately known as 'little friend Susan'. This picture shows the two of them heading off in search of blackberries.
 
 

Family meals are of course always eaten round the large table in the kitchen.


 
This is the village shop owned by Miss Muggins and on this occasion Milly Molly Mandy has been left in charge. I love the array of merchandise on display. It's hard to believe shops ever looked liked this but local towns in those days were often not within easy reach and so village shops had to cater for everyday needs.


I am currently working on another Dolly Giveaway and this fabric might give you a clue as to what it will be. When ready I'll announce the Giveaway here and also on Facebook.