Children's Books > Children's Classics

"It's lovely rice pudding for dinner again!"Milne's poetry effortlessly transports the reader into a child's mind, with its wonders, tantrums and frustration at adults who seriously think rice pudding is appealing. Readers will remember these poems from their own childhood, and want to pass them on to the next generation. When We Were Very Young also features the very first appearance in print of Winnie-the-Pooh, in a delightful verse exploring the tribulations of stoutness for a philosophical teddy bear. First published 1924. C... read more

This is a spell-binding modern retelling of a classic children's tale by master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, with glorious illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark. In the town of Hamelin, the rich and greedy live like kings and queens while the poor and sick scavenge rubbish tips for scraps. A lame orphan boy tells the classic tale of how a plague of rats take over the town and how a fantastic piper offers to rid Hamelin of its rats for a single gold coin, then lures away the town's children when the greedy mayor breaks his word. M... read more

Part of the "Collector's Library" series, this book's Afterword is by the experienced book editor and well-known writer, Anna South. It features a brief biography of the author and a reading list.

The Narnia Chronicles, first published in 1950, remain some of the most enduringly popular ever published. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, has been translated into 29 languages! The illustrations in this book have been coloured by the original artist, Pauline Baynes. Now published with the original cover, as designed by Pauline Baynes.

"It's a magic wardrobe. There's a wood inside it, and it's snowing! Come and see," begged Lucy.

Lucy has stumbled upon a marvellous land of fauns and centaurs, nymphs ... read more

The Narnia Chronicles, first published in 1950, have been and remain some of the most enduringly popular ever published. The best known, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, has been translated into 29 languages! The illustrations in this book have been coloured by the original artist, Pauline Baynes.

The Narnia Chronicles, first published in 1950, remain some of the most enduringly popular ever published. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, has been translated into 29 languages! The illustrations in this book have been coloured by the original artist, Pauline Baynes. Now published with the original cover, as designed by Pauline Baynes. "Look sharp!" shouted Edmund. "All catch hands and keep together. This is magic -- I can tell by the feeling!" Prince Caspian is in terrible danger when his wicked uncle, King Miraz, decides to... read more

Introducing the second book of the newly designed Narnia classics. Perfect for those seeking a contemporary take on The Chronicles of Narnia. The most loved of all the Chronicles, this wonderful tale can be enjoyed again and again. Lucy steps into the Professor's wardrobe but steps out again into a snowy forest. She's stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns! and the wicked White Witch, who terrorises all. Lucy soon realises that Narnia, and in particular Aslan, the great Lion, needs her help if... read more

A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her firstborn child.

Life is good for Buck in Santa Clara Valley, where he spends his days eating and sleeping in the golden sunshine. But one day a treacherous act of betrayal leads to his kidnap, and he is forced into a life of toil and danger. Dragged away to be a sledge dog in the harsh and freezing cold Yukon, Buck must fight for his survivial. Can he rise above his enemies and become the master of his realm once again? With an inspirational introduction by award-winning author Melvyn Burgess, "The Call of the Wild" is one of the twelve wonderful ... read more

Katy Carr intends to be beautiful and beloved and as sweet as an angel one day. For now, though, her hair is forever in a tangle, her dress is always torn and she doesn't care at all for being called 'good'. But then a terrible accident happens and Katy must find the courage to remember her daydreams and the delightful plans she once schemed; for when she is grown up she wants to do something grand. This wonderful children's classic has an introduction by Cathy Cassidy, and author and story notes at the end.

Featuring Julian, Dick, Anne, George and not forgetting Timmy! The Famous Five are distraught! Dick has been kidnapped - mistaken for somebody else! Can they find him before it's too late?

Pooh, Rabbit and Piglet plan to capture the strange new arrival Baby Roo, as a joke, but when Piglet pretends to be Roo, Kanga plans a little joke of her own.

Beatrix Potter described The Tailor of Gloucester as her own favourite among her books. It was based on the true story of a tailor who once left the unsewn pieces of a coat in his shop and then found that the garment had been mysteriously finished for him in the night. Although it turned out the real tailor's assistants were his apprentices, in Beatrix Potter's version of the story the secret helpers are skilful little brown mice who save the kindhearted tailor from disaster.

As the author confides, Winnie-the-Pooh has "sat down on some of the pages" of this treasure trove of nursery favourites. Several of the poems feature the beloved teddy bear, helping Christopher Robin with his schoolwork (if helping is the word) or simply philosophising about a bear's world. Many of the other verses are famous as nursery classics in their own right. "Now We are Six" is an unforgettable evocation of childhood, through the eyes of the six-year-old Christopher Robin.

"It's lovely rice pudding for dinner again!" Milne's poetry effortlessly transports the reader into a child's mind, with its wonders, tantrums and frustration at adults who seriously think rice pudding is appealing. Readers will remember these poems from their own childhood, and want to pass them on to the next generation. "When We Were Very Young" also features the very first appearance in print of Winnie-the-Pooh, in a delightful verse exploring the tribulations of stoutness for a philosophical teddy bear.

Martin Waddell has brought together nine favourite stories, skillfully retelling them for today's children. From the fun and humour of the proud Emperor with his splendid new clothes to the gentle sadness of the Little Mermaid, and with a colourful cast of witches, princesses, toys and animals, this rich and varied collection is guaranteed to delight and entertain readers young and old. Emma Chichester Clark's glorious illustrations bring the tales vividly to life, making this book a joy to share and a gift to treasure.

The Borrowers live in the secret places of quiet old houses; behind the mantelpiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock. They own nothing, borrow everything, and think that human beings were invented just to do the dirty work. Arrietty's father, Pod, was an expert Borrower. He could scale curtains using a hatpin, and bring back a doll's teacup without breaking it. Girls weren't supposed to go borrowing but as Arrietty was an only child her father broke the rule, and then something happened which changed their lives. Sh... read more

In this fresh interpretation of the legend of Robin Hood, venture into Sherwood Forest with a band of rebel outlaws fighting against injustice and corruption. A richly illustrated treat for those familiar with Robin Hood and newcomers to the tale alike.