For information about the residents of Mellowdene County please refer to the separate pages for Rabbits, Rodents, Bears, Cats & Dogs and Others. This will detail the family relationships, names and other supplementary data. On these pages, official names can be stressed by being highlighted in purple. Those in orange/brown are definitely unofficial. Virtual characters (i.e. not permanent Sylvanian characters) are in blue and do not contribute to the population count.
Themes
Ring of Sylvania and the Snow QueenThe Melting, The Seabreeze of Mellowdene, The Real World, Beastie Hunts and Dreamstone, Living with a Myth
The "magic" of Sylvania
The Real World, Secrets, Butterglove Losses, The Routes of Sylvania, Going Home, Winter Weather, An Unexpected Letter, the Chocolate Mine, Good and Evil, The Owl Collective
Traditions
The Melting, Mellowdene Day, Wish Lists, A Fete Worse than... Unless, Howlaree, Beastie Hunts and Dreamstone, Winter Celebrations
Rowan's journey/absence
Living Coral, Rowan's Return, The Real World, Christmas Dinners, Secrets, Ladies Who Lunch
Orton Butterglove
Welcome Autumn, The Wish List, The Story of Hawkshade, Howlaree, Butterglove Losses, The Routes of Sylvania, Alternative Preparations, A Neighbourly Yarn, An Unexpected Letter, The Year of the Rabbit (part one)
Figwort's story
Christmas Dinners, A Work of Artifice (part 3), Secrets, The Farm Shop, The Music, The Sylvan River (1-3)
Rowan's journey/absence
Living Coral, Rowan's Return, The Real World, Christmas Dinners, Secrets, Ladies Who Lunch
Orton Butterglove
Welcome Autumn, The Wish List, The Story of Hawkshade, Howlaree, Butterglove Losses, The Routes of Sylvania, Alternative Preparations, A Neighbourly Yarn, An Unexpected Letter, The Year of the Rabbit (part one)
Figwort's story
Christmas Dinners, A Work of Artifice (part 3), Secrets, The Farm Shop, The Music, The Sylvan River (1-3)
The extraordinary Tara Lapine-Frost
Secret Admirer (part 2), Secrets, Ladies Who Lunch, Butterglove Losses, Routes of Sylvania, Going Home, Winter Weather
Butterglove & Snow-Warren - songwriting & performance
Secret Admirer (part 2), Bear Banger and the Bunny Boys, The Melting, Jingle Sells, Writing for Mellowdene, The Contract, A Couple of Couples, A Fete Worse than... Unless, April Showers, December Festivities, Fishing for Something, The Music, Musical Chairs, The Performance, The Critic
History/Background of the Butterglove family
Living Coral, The Costume Party, The Time Capsule, The Story of Hawkshade, The Field Trip, The History of Man - Victorians, Twins, The Owl Collective
Village facilities
Timbertop Farm, Seabreeze at Mellowdene (docks), Writing About Mellowdene (newspaper), Classic Blue (post office & telephone exchange), The Time Capsule (Mice & Clean waste management, library), What I Did Over the Weekend (waterworks, school), The Field Trip (canal), Neighbourly Yarn (textiles), Mysterious Packages (postal delivery), Fishing for Something, Farm Shop, Hot & Cold (refrigeration), Blackberry Orchards, Mental Hugging (self care), Good and Evil (Sheriff's Department, paranormal investigations).
The next five stories should be read in order, ending with Going Home
Butterglove & Snow-Warren - songwriting & performance
Secret Admirer (part 2), Bear Banger and the Bunny Boys, The Melting, Jingle Sells, Writing for Mellowdene, The Contract, A Couple of Couples, A Fete Worse than... Unless, April Showers, December Festivities, Fishing for Something, The Music, Musical Chairs, The Performance, The Critic
History/Background of the Butterglove family
Living Coral, The Costume Party, The Time Capsule, The Story of Hawkshade, The Field Trip, The History of Man - Victorians, Twins, The Owl Collective
Village facilities
Timbertop Farm, Seabreeze at Mellowdene (docks), Writing About Mellowdene (newspaper), Classic Blue (post office & telephone exchange), The Time Capsule (Mice & Clean waste management, library), What I Did Over the Weekend (waterworks, school), The Field Trip (canal), Neighbourly Yarn (textiles), Mysterious Packages (postal delivery), Fishing for Something, Farm Shop, Hot & Cold (refrigeration), Blackberry Orchards, Mental Hugging (self care), Good and Evil (Sheriff's Department, paranormal investigations).
Summary of Stories in publication order
- "Secret Admirer (part one)" tells of the mysterious Valentine's Day card and box of chocolates received by Bobbie Butterglove, and the initial efforts of she and her family to discover the identity of that admirer.
- "Secret Admirer (part two)" tells of their conclusion.
- "Bear Banger and the Bunny Boys" tells of some of the villagers' grandparents and a slideshow showing musical exploits in their youth.
- "Timbertop Farm" is a report documenting some history of the farm run by the Timbertop bears.
- "The Melting" tells of a traditional spring festival to celebrate the mythical Snow Queen, with events including a chocolate bunny hunt.
- "Telly Parties" gives an example of the communal events where (usually) young villagers congregate around the few televisions in the village to watch their favourite shows.
- "Jingle Sells" tells of the unexpected revival of an advertising jingle for a brand of toothpaste.
- "The Seabreeze at Mellowdene" tells of the Columbus-Seabreeze family and the traumatic event that caused them to abandon the coast for the serenity of Mellowdene.
- "Living Coral" explains why Cecile Butterglove is so attached to an old settee.
- Rowan's Return continues from the previous story (Living Coral) that introduced Cecile's long lost brother. In this story, Cecile tries to ensure that Rowan doesn't decide to resume his travels, leaving Mellowdene again.
- Dandelion Babies concentrates on some of Jackson's other family members, namely his kind sister-in-law Eliza and his cousin Samantha, the latter having to cope with quadruplet babies.
- In Writing About Mellowdene we discover how Jackson was convinced to write mini-exposés about the village, and are allowed to hear the song "Remain Here in Sylvania"
- The Real World begins when three fathers take their daughters to play on the village green, and Rowan tells a tale of how he entered The World of Men. Is it true or merely one of this mischievous rabbit's forays into the realm of fantasy?
- When young Brendan Butterglove returns from Kittie Camp, he tells his family about the fun he had, and his sister Beverley decides to lightly tease him.
- Out of the Mouths of Babes. Do tiny Russell Butterglove and family member Nugget Cornflower really carry on conversations in their own baby language? Jackson's boffin brother Newton doesn't rule it out...
- The Sylvanian Bake Offence. What is the secret about last year's Mellowdene heat for this prestigious baking contest?
- When we Welcome Autumn, Jackson and Cecile unexpectedly find themselves welcoming someone new to Mellowdene.
- Warm Drinks on Cool Days. When cooler weather descends, there are occasions when lots of children decide to spend time indoors at Jackson's house. An opportunity for our blogger and his brother Merlin to find somewhere more peaceful to take their warm drinks...
- A Costume Party has Jackson reminiscing about the time Rowan convinced him to dress up in knight's armour, and his first date with Cecile.
- Mellowdene Day is an occasion when children are encouraged to tell their families about the things that make them grateful. Beverley and Brendan have different approaches.
- The Wish List sees the Butterglove household receive a visitor from the Sylvanian Children's Services, the reason being young runaway Orton Butterglove.
- Rowan Ivory's family and the Buttergloves will be having separate Christmas Dinners, but Rowan does say why he returned to Mellowdene.
- Jackson is busy so newspaper editor Darcy Fills In with a story, coping with his eager daughter Una.
- Jackson was busy because of a potential songwriting deal but the Contract needed tweaking.
- We see Jackson and his two brothers as young children, and Merlin decides to support their father's interest in local history by creating a Time Capsule.
- Jackson and Cecile can finally afford some New Decor, including the fitting of a hand-made carpet crafted by Septimus Persis.
- How did Chris and Clarence Snow-Warren become A Couple of Couples with future wives Charity and Lettuce? We revisit their schooldays.
- A Work of Artifice is a three-part story. In part one, a delegation of schoolteachers (including Angelica Ivory) ask Jackson if his daughter may discuss artistic matters with Mayor Nettlefield. The consequence isn't quite as expected.
- In part two, Cecile finds out and needs to be calmed down. When Angelica mysteriously makes a rushed exit prior to a subsequent family meal, we wonder how much Cecile actually calmed down.
- In part three, whilst we are waiting for Angelica to return, Rowan reveals his concerns about his son Figwort. When she does return with the mayor, we find out what's she's done.
- In the next tale, Darcy Fielding tells of the village postmen and the Classic Blue.
- It's almost time for the annual Melting Festival but Alex Periwinkle has organisational problems. He worries it could be a Fěte worse than... unless Jackson has any ideas.
- Frasier Chocolate tells of some if his adventurous relatives in Chocolate Flavours.
- Christian Snow-Warren writes a poem about April Showers.
- Jackson visits his neighbour Perry Babblebrook, a gardening fanatic keen on showing his May Flowers.
- When Rowan panics and abandons Figwort in Jackson's care, we start to learn of possible reasons for the boy's introverted nature, and Rowan later reveals the secrets of why he didn't return to Mellowdene for such a long time.
- Schoolteacher Eve Wildwood is horrified that Brendan and his pals put themselves in danger after reading his "What I Did Over the Weekend" homework.
- As one of the Ladies Who Lunch, Cecile begins to wonder about her brother's supposedly tall tales.
- Merlin Butterglove tells Brendan, Orton and two of their pals the Story of Hawkshade and how the relationship between the hill cats and Mellowdene developed.
- It's nearly Captain Horatio Seadog's 42nd birthday, but he doesn't want to suffer the indignity of a Howlaree!
The next five stories should be read in order, ending with Going Home
- (1) With an uncharacteristic lack of communication from Jackson, Darcy fills in by using a food report from the pages of the Mellowdene Examiner. In this, employee Harry Hawthorne describes the Hamburger Wagon's place in Mellowdene.
- (2) Darcy is joined by Christian Snow-Warren and a visit to question Cecile reveals that Jackson Butterglove is missing and he has been for days.
- (3) Merlin receives bad news about Orton's parents, and this report of Butterglove losses leads to the involvement of Tara Lapine-Frost.
- (4) After travelling the routes of Sylvania we discover exactly what happened to Orton's parents, Martyn and Erika.
- (5) Going home at last, but not before Sheriff Bisto Wildwood encounters Tara Lapine-Frost
- Una Fielding is planning her school project for the upcoming Mellowdene Day and becomes concerned about the length of School days.
- Six months distant from the Melting festival there is a related event called the Beastie Hunt where children (and others) dress up and search for the mythical Dreamstone. Candies, sweeties and fruits are given to sustain them.
- Darcy Fielding investigates why some non native-born villagers living with the myth of the Snow Queen start to believe when they were not raised in the Mellowdene tradition. From Reverend Kelvin Waters he learns aspects of history that opens his eyes.
- After recent events, Cecile thinks the family needs to go away for a holiday. Rather than getting involved the usual winter jobs she begins making alternative preparations. Oddly, young Brendan seems unhappy with the idea.
- Returning from their holiday, the Buttergloves prepare for December festivities, hearing some good news and reflecting on the past year.
- When mayor Ramsey Nettlefield's plans for an over-ambitious talent show are scaled back, we see how the schoolchildren are perfectly capable of entertaining us.
- As publisher of this blog Darcy Fielding shares with Jackson 10,000 reasons for being excited.
- Beverley Butterglove's school project for Mellowdene Day shows her gratitude by celebrating grandparents.
- We learn about Cake Club when Jackson and Cecile collaborate on a story, highlighting their togetherness.
- When Mookie Dappledawn helps out as a relief postman, Samuel stamp has to investigate some mysterious packages.
- Jackson tells us about his current and previous next door neighbours at number 3 Dandelion Lane, and a visit to Dingledale Worm Farm reveals a yarn with added music.
- One of Rowan's odd jobs leads him to help out the Buttercup family in running their farm shop in the north east of Mellowdene county. He enjoys meeting different people but his taste for candy frost leaves him needing assistance from members of the Sheriff's Department.
- After missing the annual Melting spring festival, Jackson has a family conversation about Beverley's school commitments, and this prompts his memory of the field trip he took in his own school days. A trip where he first formed a lasting friendship.
- When Jackson and Chris first started working on the musical version of the epic poem The Sylvan River, Chris decided that he should research what made a good fisherman. When fishing for something like that, who best to visit than Clayton Spotter, the best fisherman in Mellowdene?
- Librarian and bookworm Merlin Butterglove reveals a little about his youth when he shows Jackson an unsettling book - The History of Man - with pictures from the Victorian era.
- Despite being twins, Jackson and Newton Butterglove have different personalities and motivations. Yet when Newton and a member of the rustic Cornflower family meet the identical twin Bonny sisters, the Buttergloves are brought together once more.
- In an atypical heatwave, Jackson - together Brendan and his pals - visit the Polaris Cold Store distribution centre in the foothills to get a replacement part for their refrigerator, thereby experiencing both hot and cold.
- Two incidents cause Jackson to reflect how songwriting became his career and how the music is important not only to him, but also to someone else in the family.
- A few years ago, did one of Pearl Babblebrook's chocolate muffins find its way into a cake tin that Anise Ivory took to a slumber party? Which one of Beverley Butterglove's cousins would gamble eating it in such a game of roulette?
- Darcy tells us of the time when Pearl Babblebrook's cooking became even worse. No one felt able to tell her for fear of hurting her feelings, but things came to a head with one of Pearl's pies.
- Jackson has an unexpected visitor from the big city - one with roar talent - but they didn't expect Mellowdene to weave its magic.
- The identical Marmalade twins (Oonagh and Ottilee) are tired of their parents not treating them as individuals. Now which other pair of twins might help them solve their problem? Surely not "Mix and Match" Brighteyes?
- Whilst Timbertop farm supplies eggs, root vegetables and cereals, what about fruit and other veg? We learn about Blackberry Orchards.
- Jackson and Chris haven't given much thought to the number of extra tickets they might need for the premiere of The Sylvan River. Will there be enough musical chairs?
- Autumn colours come to Mellowdene with the return of Coltsfoot Ivory and his family - prompting the reformation of Newton Butterglove's informal Inventor's Club.
- At long last it is the premiere performance of The Sylvan River - A Musical Journey. A bus trip to Calico New City and the Palladium Theatre gives Jackson & Cecile and Chris & Charity a good view from their box. Yet producer Grant Foxwell is worried.
- The aftermath of the premiere of The Sylvan River - A Musical Journey. What did the inflential critic Bertram Coldwater think? Darcy believes he can find out.
- When Doris Seabreeze and Celandine Ivory show unnecessary concern over Cecile's mental wellbeing, Doris arranges an appointment for her at the modern self-care establishment managed by Natalie Marlowe in the Mews cat district. How will the down-to-earth Cecile react to this mental hugging?
- Christmas wasn't always celebrated in Mellowdene, although it's influence is felt on other winter celebrations held by assorted groups of critters in the village. Darcy Fielding outlines some.
- Jackson refers to the People column in Mellowdene Examiner in order to explain why Rolf Billabong and his family decided to leave their home on Koalaroo Island for new beginnings in Mellowdene.
- An injured Tara Lapine-Frost visits Jackson and Cecile whilst her boyfriend Nigel Snow-Warren is busy with his job as hospital pharmacist. She starts to tell how she was injured during the winter weather.
- In the second part of Tara's tale of her winter weather injury she confides something about her relationship with Nigel.
- The Mellowdene Examiner may be the official source of village news, but with such a chatty community, other sources are available! At the Bear Pit Club, Finley Osbourne is happy to share such tales. Such as what happened following a recent Growl meeting.
- The Honeydew rabbits are related to the Periwinkle family by marriage. In this short tale we get a taste of Honeydew life when we meet Everett and Vivienne and their children Britney and Button.
- Another year, another Melting festival, and there are changes to the chocolate bunny hunt. There is also a music performance by a surprise guest.
- Butterglove House has an unexpected visitor bringing an equally unexpected letter - one that could affect young Orton.
- Jackson visits Christian Snow-Warren and discovers that his tenacious nephew Lincoln has been given a part-time job at the Moonflowers' used goods store.
- In another delve into the People column of the Mellowdene Examiner, we learn of the unusual arrival of the Umberhounds family into Sylvania.
- The Buttergloves decide take a few days' relaxation at North Beach - just a small holiday.
- Darcy is delighted that the blog has received 20,000 views from the human world. He tells us how the blog came to be.
- Jackson learns about the chocolate mine and how it came to exist - according to Spelunker Chocolate.
- After a dinner with Atlanta and Melvin, we learn how the Marlowes came to Mellowdene.
- The morning activities of the Buttergloves highlight their contentment in life.
- When the Periwinkles and Honeydews celebrate an anniversary of their arrival in Mellowdene, Mack's sister Verity Periwinkle (Veri Peri) attends and treats everyone to her uncompromising personality.
- How are homes in Mellowdene illuminated when the sun goes down? One unusual method leads us to tell of Big Bevis Brooks, his friends and spark flies.
- Darcy Fielding is curious about the nature of good and evil. Why doesn't there seem to be any Sylvanians? In part one of a three part story, our intrepid newspaperman goes to see Sheriff Bisto Wildwood.
- In part two of Darcy's investigation into good and evil, Mulder Honey-Fox tells of his search for a creature that had caused unrest throughout Sylvania.
- In part three of Darcy's investigation into good and evil, Mulder Honey-Fox describes his encounter with the Packbat.
- Hallowe'en isn't a large event in Mellowdene, but worthy of hearing a Ghost Story. Attendees at author Fliss Robinson's reading at the chapel meeting room include Brendan Butterglove and Button Honeydew.
- For Christian Snow-Warren, when it was autumn in Sylvania, he was inspired to write a poem.
- Beverley Butterglove's project for Mellowdene day relates to a periodic phase of the land that resident Morwenna Deerheart had described as if Sylvania Takes a Breath
- We learn about Pickleweed's Pizza Emporium, a catering establishment offering both takeaway and deliveries, meet delivery driver Alonso Fielding and... someone else. It seems everyone might give pizza a chance.
- Alonso Fielding tells his cousin Darcy about something being constructed within the foothills - and Santa is involved! No Christmas Holiday for him.
- Susan Snow-Warren (accompanied by her mother) visits the Buttergloves to discuss birthday plans for her sister Hope's sand dreams.
- We witness another taste of Button Honeydew's curious way of thinking when he corners Jackson Butterglove to ask about music.
- A very short scene with Jackson and Cecile on Valentine's Day.
- Jackson offers a short retrospective on the life and loves of some Butterglove rabbits.
- When Aristotle Treefellow summons Jackson Butterglove we learn about the Owl Collective.
- Merlin reveals that there is a book that tells if the year the four founding families came to the valley that would become Mellowdene. The book? The Year of the Rabbit. This is part one of the story, and also extends Orton's personal tale.
- In part two, Merlin reads passages from The Year of the Rabbit.
- At the Mellowdene Examiner office, we meet Ricardo Porcini - freelance travel writer.
- Jackson is concerned about Aristotle Treefellow's comments (in Owl Collective) and the potential work for the forthcoming Melting festival. Merlin takes him to the East Dock Lane snackbar and offers him some brotherly advice. (1 of 3)
- After his preoccupation with the Melting festival proves unnecessary, Jackson visits his twin to find out how best to deal with the owls, as there is history between Newton and the Treefellows. (2 od 3)
- Darcy takes Jackson to visit Mulder Honey-Fox to find out how if owls really festure in the lore of the land.(3 of 3)
- We learn about the medieval history of the Cornflowers of Mellowdene, distant relatives of the Butterglove family.
- A summer event in Mellowdene proves to be a Secret Concert of note, Bear Banger and the Bunny Boys are playing, but there is someone else too...
- Freya and Coco Chocolate go for some fun on the Seaside Cruiser with their maternal grandparents and distant cousins Grady and Esther. This takes the form of what appears to be a treasure map.
- The children are well on their way to solving the riddle on the map and the fun on the Seaside Cruiser continues as they continue their quest.
- Coltsfoot and Celandine are hearing unusual noises in their house. It has been suggested that it could be the ghosts of Cherry Blossom Avenue but surely there is another explanation!
- Darcy Fielding outlines examples where population growth in Mellowdene has affected public services.
- When Lucky Snow-Warren thinks he has been shunned by his best friend Brendan Butterglove, Jackson cites their recent school project as evidence that it's okay being apart from friends.
- After young Daniel Fielding had a scary experience at Riverview Point, his father has to provide balance - was it really an encounter between Daniel and the Hallowe'en Demon?
- Finding a way (1) Three little owls come to see Jackson Butterglove. Will they get what they seek?
- Finding a way (2) A visit from Aristotle Treefellow follows after his three sons drew a blank. An expedition to the mysterious Chunglewood is on the cards!
- Darcy Fielding and his daughter Una visit the Mellowdene branch of Santa's Grotto to see Lennox Murr-Grand and get the scoop for the newspaper and school newsletter. They didn't expect to find the Christmas Elves.
- Finding a way (3) Xenophon Treefellow visits Butterglove House and has more details about the expedition. Cecile reveals something.
- Finding a way (4) Jackson and Cecile discuss her revelation and have a moment of reflection.
- Merlin Butterglove is excited because he has something new in his kitchen. Brendan is excited about a book tied in to his favourite TV programme. The connection is Flash Gopher and the micro rays.
- Finding a way (5) At last the expedition is setting out!
- Finding a way (6) The expedition enters Tall Tree Forest in order to forge a route to Chunglewood.
- Finding a way (7) After the first expedition a change of plan is needed.
- Cecile tells Darcy about a time before she met Jackson. All she wanted was a dance companion but it seemed all her potential partners were in relationships. A time she claimed "love is all around".
- Finding a way (8) Cedric Walnut takes Jackson aloft in his flying machine - the Skyrider - to find another way to access the clearing.
- Jackson summarises the recent songwriting work for Corbet Mulligan and shares some of Chris Snow-Warren's lyrics for Welcoming Spring.
- Finding a way (9) A path to the clearing in Tall Tree Forest is finally established and Jackson visits Chunglewood for the first time.
To be continued...
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