Joyce Lankester Brisley facts for kids

Joyce Lankester Brisley (born 1896 – died 1978) was a talented English writer and artist. She is best known for creating and illustrating the much-loved Milly-Molly-Mandy book series. These stories first appeared in 1925.

Joyce was one of three daughters born to George Brisley, a pharmacist. Her family lived in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England. Both of Joyce's sisters, Ethel Constance and Nina Kennard, also became illustrators.

The three sisters studied art together. They first attended Hastings School of Art. Later, after their parents separated, they moved with their mother to Brixton. There, they continued their art studies at Lambeth School of Art. All three sisters created illustrations for postcards. Nina and Ethel became very successful illustrators. Nina also illustrated the famous Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer. Joyce Lankester Brisley passed away in 1978 when she was 82 years old.

Joyce Brisley's Writing Career

Joyce Lankester Brisley's books were first published in 1925. A collection of her stories was later released as a book in 1928. She wrote and illustrated six collections of her popular Milly-Molly-Mandy stories. She also created many other books.

The Milly-Molly-Mandy Series

The Milly-Molly-Mandy books tell the adventures of a little girl and her friends. These stories are known for their gentle charm and simple village life.

• The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook (1928)
• Milly-Molly-Mandy Again (1953)
• Milly-Molly-Mandy and Co. (1955)
• More of Milly-Molly-Mandy (1957)
• Further Doings of Milly-Molly-Mandy (1959)
• Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories (1960)
• Milly-Molly-Mandy and Billy Blunt (1967)
• The Best of Milly-Molly-Mandy (2004)

Other Novels by Joyce Brisley

Besides the Milly-Molly-Mandy series, Joyce Brisley wrote other novels for young readers.

• Hurrah for the Trains (1919)
• Jolly Days At the Zoo (1921)
• Another Bunchy book (1951)
• Children of Bible Days (1970)
• The New Testament Story (1973)
• Model Trains (1979)
• Marigold in Godmother's House (2001)
• Bunchy (2005)

Story Collections and Non-Fiction

Joyce Brisley also published collections of her short stories and some non-fiction works.

• The Dawn Shops, and Other Stories (1942)
• The Joyce Lankester Brisley Book (1981)
• My Bible Book (1964)
• From the Exile to Christ: A Historical Introduction to Palestinian Judaism (1964)