I don't believe even the power of mumsnet will help me find these books

[Sleeperandthespindle]

Must have been published in the late 80's or early 90's. Set in rural Kent (oast houses in illustrations).
Very sweet water colour illustrations. Pastoral/ countryside stories about animals. Not much action, lots of nature. Bit like 'Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady' for children.

Not much to go on, is it? My best friend had them and we loved reading them together (we were probably a bit old for them at about 12-13, but we loved drawing and used them as inspiration). My DD (7) would adore them I think!

[Scrowy]

Hmm did some of the stories feature mice?

[Sleeperandthespindle]

I think mice were heavily involved, yes. Definitely not Brambly Hedge. The books were hard back, perhaps a 'local' author, almost self-published. They were lovely though.

[beatricequimby]

Was it the George and Matilda Mouse series? I have one second hand but think there were quite a few. Lovely pictures.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

There wasn't a pub and they discovered an old lemonade recipe was there? Although that might have had rabbits as the main characters.

As an aside, I absolutely love Brambly Hedge.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

I was thinking of The Foxwood Tales.

[LucyLugosi]

I love your name, Sleeperandthespindle!

And I love this thread for reminding me of the beautiful Brambly Hedge.

Any chance it could be the Church Mice books?

[halcyondays]

It wasn't Little Grey Rabbit or Fern
Hollow?

[Sleeperandthespindle]

No it's none of these, but thanks for trying and reminding me of lovely books like Brambly Hedge and Little Grey Rabbit.

I had and loved lots of those sorts of books, with woodland creatures in 1940s dress. But this wasn't one of them. Would have been written in the 80's. I wonder if my friend's mum got them directly from the author - sort of self published or at a craft fair or similar. I'm remembering lots of 'handwritten' script in it now, as though it was nature notes or a journal (Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady...by animals).

[ejecoms]

Was it Winter Diary of a Country Rat?

[TheMasterMurderedMargarita]

Was it the Oak Tree Tales by Dorothea King?
I have one from my childhood and DD loves it the pictures are beautiful.