The Manor House Stories by Jani Tully Chaplin are a series of 12 beautiful new hardback books in a traditional style that you will want to keep for future generations. I have been completely taken with the Manor House stories, from the beautifully detailed illustrations to the fanciful bird and animal characters. Even the little ribbon book mark set these books apart from modern paperbacks.
The stories are about a family of birds who live together in The Manor House and follow the adventures of the characters and their duties, from the lowliest scullery maid upwards through the ranks of the household to the head of the family.
With the foreword written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes you would think these books had been written to fill a gap in the market? In fact Jani wrote the stories for her children some 25 years ago whilst living in Devon. It was a chance encounter with her publisher in 2011 that brought these 12 tales back to life.
Book 1: Cream & Sugar the Milkmaids
There is a lovely map illustration at the front of each book so you can understand where the manor house sits within the land. This story introduces you to some of the many characters with a gallery and images of each one and a place for you to illustrate the recipient of the book. Each page of the book has a full colour illustration with lovely little detailed numbered pages. Cream and Sugar are blue tits, and we follow the story as they have fun in the snow with some of the other servants of the house. Having snowball fights, and sledging they come across a royal visitor.
Book 12: Lady Davina Dove
This is a lovely Christmas story following the Manor House characters and their preparations for Christmas. From the present shopping, to decorating the tree and getting the house ready for the visitors. But Lady Davina Dove has a secret, a gift she has never told anyone about, yet wishes more than anything to receive. Following the servants preparation and the excitement of the household, hanging the stocking with care will the family have a visit from Santa. You will have to wait and see…
The story’s are enchanting, with characters who seem to fit the roles given to them perfectly. The text is easy to read and understand and I know these will be a books that we will read many times. A perfect nursery gift and something very special to pass on to family member I think they are worth every penny of the RRP £7.99.
If you would like to find out more about this beautiful new series of books why not follow Jani and the Manor House Stories on Twitter.
I have an amazing giveaway for The Manor House Stories, and you could win a copy of Lady Davina Dove signed by Jani Tully Chaplin as well as a copy of the new story Cream and Sugar the Milkmaids. Simply complete the rafflecopter below for your chance to be entered into the draw.
Terms & Conditions:
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The giveaway is open to the UK only
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It is mandatory to leave a comment in the post comment section answering the question specified. Other tasks completed will gain additional entries. The winner will be checked to make sure they have both left a comment and completed the task for the winning entry.
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Winner will be drawn by the Rafflecopter randomly.
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The winner will be sent an e-mail to the e-mail address left at time of entry. The winner will need to reply to the e-mail within 7 days of the notification. Every effort will be made to contact the winner, but if no response is made within the 7 days a new winner will be chosen.
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The prize details are stated at the top of the Rafflecopter, and no alternatives will be offered.
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The prize will be posted by the promoter, unfortunately I cannot be held responsible or replace missing parcels. Please contact me if there is a problem.
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#World Book Day additional terms: In some cases there are multiple prizes, therefore prizes may not be sent out until all winners have been drawn, please allow 28 days from 6th March 2014 for all prizes to arrive
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For a simple guide to Rafflecopter, please read Di Coke’s Rafflecopter Guide
I would have liked to have been in charge of looking after the animals
Would love to live in a great house and be head of the kitchen organising all the lovely food
The Butler in charge of the downstairs and able to be nosey upstairs!
yes I would have like to work in the kitchen
I would obviously be the Lady of the House :p
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Oh yes and I would have loved to have been a little maid/mistress lol!
I would have loved to live in a big house with a secret garden and would have been the daughter of the lady of the house.
butler
Yes and butler
No it would be too cold.
I would be the housekeeper
the ladys maid or the lady herself
I’d probably have been the scullery maid!
Jenny @ The Brick Castle recently posted…Hero by Sarah Lean ~ review and giveaway
I can see that working 😉
Not with her knees!
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…Mighty Moments with Plum Baby
I’d love to win this!
No. I think any job you did was such hard work.
Ladies’ maid would have been a great job – you’d hear all the gossip.
I’d love to have lived in a house like that and I’d definitely have been the lady of the manor!! lol
Fiona Martin recently posted…Fun in the park on a Sunday Afternoon
I’d had to have been one of the household, not staff. I don’t do well with manual labour!
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…Mighty Moments with Plum Baby
I just wanted to say, as well, how very beautiful these books are. Exactly the type of book I would love to share with my children.
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…Mighty Moments with Plum Baby
Kindly (& rotund) Head Cook
I’d say a baker
The one in charge 🙂 x
I would have loved to have been the housekeeper 🙂 but on reflection, I’d really rather have had my own little cottage not lived in a big house
I’d have loved to be in charge of the Library!
Mary @over40andamumtoone recently posted…Project 365 – Week 6
ladies maid
Quite fancy being lady of the manor – who wouldn’t?!
I would have loved to have lived in a big house and I would have been the lady of the manor
I’d be the maid 🙂
the childrens tutor
Lady of the manor,would far prefer to be upstairs than downstairs
I would have liked to be the cook. At least I wouldn’t go hungry. All that food that would need tasting before sending ‘upstairs’ 🙂
Not really, lol!
If I had no choice I would have liked to have been the cook 🙂
I read somewhere that in the Victorian times wealthy people not only erected follies in the garden but installed hermits and I can imagine me there giving deep and insightful advice (like ‘if you loosen your corset you won’t keep fainting’!)
The Butler !
I’d have been Lady of the Manor!
I would be the cook 🙂
I would have liked to be the lady of the house.
Definitely a Butler, privy to all of the secret conversations that you shouldn’t really hear!
I would have liked to be the nanny
yea, id love to have been the lady of the house too 🙂
Probably a cook or maid! 🙂
housekeeper boss ppl around
Would have loved to – I’d be the cook! 🙂
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Oh yes! I would love to be the live in hairdresser 🙂
Would have to be the baker so I could sample all the cakes.
I’d be a nanny/governess
Yes, but I’m not sure I see myself working there. 😉
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id care for the animals
Janine Atkin recently posted…Rowntree’s Randoms Pen
I would be the gardener as I love being in the fresh outdoors.
Great prize!
The lady swanning around
Yes lady who lunches!