The Secret Staircase, Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

I loved the Brambly Hedge series about a friendly community of mice and often followed the directions in search of Brambly Hedge on the other side of the stream, across the field.... The story of the traditional midwinter celebrations in The Secret Staircase was the most magical. It's impossible not to loose yourself in the detail of the illustrations of winding staircases, the secrets of the hidden attic and the mice's fabulous store cupboard. Who knows, maybe one day I'll find Brambly hedge - I haven't stopped looking!

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Mrs Tittlemouse, by Beatrix Potter

The Tale Of Mrs Tittlemouse, by Beatrix Potter

I had my dad's old Beatrix Potter books from his childhood which were bound with string and felt really, really old, so reading them was always a treat. The best thing about Mrs Tittlemouse was the voice my dad did for Mr Jackson, the big fat toad who leaves his dirty footprints across Mrs Tittlemouse's immaculate passageway. As a very clean and tidy little person I think I felt an affinity with this very house-proud mouse, who spent the entire story trying to clean up after her unexpected visitors.

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Little Grey Rabbit and The Weasels, by Alison Uttley

Little Grey Rabbit And The Weasels, by Alison Uttley

It's not the happiest of the Little Grey Rabbit tales as poor Grey Rabbit is kidnapped by nasty weasels and forced to cook and clean for them until Wise Owl hears her singing and comes to take her back to her friends. Singing was Grey Rabbit's way of comforting herself when she was scared by the weasels so whenever I used to feel scared, I would think of Grey Rabbit singing and feel a little bit better.

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Postman Pat’s Foggy Day, by John Cunliffe

Postman Pat’s Foggy Day, by John Cunliffe

There were so many reasons I loved Postman Pat's Foggy Day from the story and pictures to the smell of the pages and the fact it was illustrated by someone who shared my name! I remember thinking Pat was a bit stupid but loved all the characters, especially Mrs Goggins. All the Postman Pat books in our house belonged to my brother and I was extremely jealous that he got to put his name in the, "This book belongs to..."

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The Little Train, by Graham Green

The Little Train, by Graham Greene

A sleepy story of a red train from Little Snoreing, The Little Train made the perfect bedtime story. It wasn't so much the story but the beautiful water colour illustrations by Edward Ardizzone that I loved - there's something very dreamy and relaxing about them, perfect for nodding off.

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