April showers at Berry Grove School

Hi everyone!

Today is the last day of April, and I’ve finished my story for the 'April Showers' challenge just in time!

 You can find the link to my blog below if you’d like to read it:

April showers at Berry Grove School

Creative Challenge "April Showers"

                                                           Dear friends, 

did you know that VESPA scooters celebrated their 80th anniversary on April, 23rd? This plus "April Showers" challenge inspired me to share snapshots of a young Purrchester citizen, who I recently met on her way to Carrot Field Hollows for a shopping tour:

                                                          Come Rain - Come Shine 

On a fair April morning, young Apple McClaw borrowed her fiancé's scooter to take a trip to the farm shops of a small village not far from Purrchester city limits. As Juice was working from home that day, evaluating the latest statistics on fire moths found in Purrwood Forest National Park (where he is working as a wildlife biologist ever since his graduation, last autumn), he had nothing against it. 

Apple started her trip in bright sunshine. She enjoyed the fresh air outside the city and the wind in her whiskers ... the young Scottish Fold cat couldn't help smiling at the beauty of the blooming nature around her - what a wonderful day this was going to be...

However, April is a month of shifting weather - and when the sky changed its colour from blue to grey, the first raindrops came trickling from above. Now Apple was glad that Juice had given her the advice to use the rain cape which was in the basket behind her seat (The tomcat always used to have rain gear on board - for just in case. As an experienced motor biker, he is always well prepared to all weather requirements, after all  )

Well protected under her rain cape, Apple reached Carrot Field Hollows, where she found the freshest and tastiest of treats - and also a freshly baked baguette, which she bought from Pearl Babblebrook at Belle Chocolate's Bakery - so crunchy, warm and yummy that she couldn't help taking a first bite - before riding home across the blooming country road. 

                                                                            ***

 That day, Apple & Juice enjoyed very delicious canapés for 5 o'clock tea.

                                                                             *** 

                                                                       -THE END-

Creative Challenge April Showers

Algernon took a couple of field trips to the local river with some of the Wee Explorers to show them the large body of water over two days. 

The first group was John Osborne and Sven Husky and they had a wall to look from at the water and gravel that forms the beach 

The next day Justin Caramel and Alfie Maple joined Algernon at a different place and discovered that high tide is lively and these steps are the safest thing to stand on... Even the lowest step is wet! 

He wasn't able to get the whole group out but those who went shared tales at the next meeting of the group. Other kids will have outings for other events later.

2026 Challenge 3: (2nd part) The Willow Family: A New Beginning in Sweet Berry Valley

Hi everyone!

This is the second part of "Primrose and the Secret Language of Flowers," following my previous story for the spring challenge.

This is the link to my blog: The Willow Family: A New Beginning in Sweet Berry Valley

I hope you like it!"

CHALLENGE 2026-4 April Showers

 

The Creative Challenge for April is "April Showers"

Tell a water themed story, craft rainwear, show a rainy night in, share your nautical critters or those who are live in or by water in our world (otters, seals, frogs etc)... 

Have fun and I look forward to seeing your projects!

2026 New Releases - Jan/Feb

Before we go over the new releases from March, here's a quick refresher on the new items from the first two months of 2026. This year has already brought us some exciting new families and sets, including some all new animal species arriving in Sylvanian land!

New Corgi Family (Feb 21 Release)

This new corgi family was released in February, and appears to be exclusive to the Online Shop and official SF stores. They can be ordered from Japan's Official Online Store.

New Cottontail Rabbit Family (Feb 14 release)

These Cottontails in fancy new clothes were released in Japan in February. 

A version of this family without the babies is also available on the Calico Critters Official Online Store (USA). The CC version of the family has a few minor clothing differences (no buttons). The CC family isn't listed as online exclusive, so North American collectors will hopefully be seeing these in stores soon, as well. 

Sylvanian Families Whipped Cream Keychain Kit - Chocolate Mint (January 17 Release)

This is a DIY kit that lets you assemble your own plastic desert to display alongside your Sylvanian keychain. Available on the Japanese Official Shop.

Flying Squirrel Family (March 14 Release)

This is an exciting new family and an all-new species joining the Sylvanian world. So far, they've only been released in Japan, but hopefully we'll soon see them gliding into stores in other countries too!

Cottontail Rabbit's Floral Hideaway (March 7 Release)

This set comes with Angelica Cottontail and has been released in Japan.

 

Character Encyclopedia book (Coming Oct 1)

This book is being published by Pan Macmillan and comes with a Chocolate Rabbit standing baby in a cute pink bow and floral pink & white dress. It's available for pre-order in the UK.

Exclusive Forest Baby Concierge Keychains (Store Exclusive)

These keychains are exclusive to certain stores in Japan (more details here).