Showing titles in Classics

Maria likes to be alone with her thoughts. She talks to animals and objects, and generally prefers them to people. But whilst on holiday she begins to hear things that aren’t there—a swing creaking, a dog barking—and when she sees a Victorian embroidered picture, Maria feels a strange connection with the 10-year-old Harriet, who stitched it.

The dreams, pranks, misfortunes, and courtships of the March girls form a charming family portrait.

Be swept away by magic in the third enchanting book of Mary Poppins’ adventures. On a dark November night, Mary Poppins returns in a burst of fireworks to restore order - and a sprinkling of magic - to the residents of Cherry Tree Lane. More than 80 years since we first met Mary Poppins, this original, classic story is still charming audiences and transporting new fans into the mysterious world of everyone’s favourite magical nanny.

Since their first publication in 1812, Grimm's Fairy Tales have proven to be an enduring feature of Western literature. The stories have been translated into over 100 languages worldwide, and their influence has cast its spell on many film makers, as well. The stories were collected from traditional storytellers from around Germany, usually women, and the motivation to collect them grew out of the wave of romantic nationalism of the early 19th century.

The most powerful men in the world were all together in a circle in the middle of the room. Drawing their daggers, they cut their right hands and, above the pile of gold, swore Odysseus’ vow: Helen could marry whom she liked, and the Princes would defend them both.… Everyone’s heard of the wooden horse of Troy, and of the beauty of Helen. Well this is the story as Odysseus saw it, from his boyhood in Ithaca to his participation in the bloody Trojan war itself.

Enjoy these short stories from Enid Blyton, the world's favourite storyteller. From fairies hiding in flowers to toy trains having a secret meeting, this fun collection is filled with magic, mischief and more!

When storyteller David Novak asked a young girl what she wanted for dinner, the answer he got was "Cookies!" That girl didn't get cookies for dinner, but she did get a story.

The famous Black Pig, home to Captain Pugwash and his crew, is in desperate need of a spring clean. But what begins as a simple exercise in painting and decorating, soon leads to a plot so dastardly that it looks as if the Captain's days are numbered. Will Pugwash, the most famous pirate of all, survive to sail the Seven Seas?

Terra 1940 - Narnia 1000. C'è la guerra, e per Peter, Susan, Edmund e Lucy è meglio rifugiarsi in campagna. Nella grande casa che li ospita scoprono un immenso armadio che sembra fatto apposta per nascondercisi: in realtà è una porta per entrare in un altro mondo, dove gli animali parlano e nessun incantesimo è impossibile. Ma una strega malvagia ha cancellato le stagioni, mutando il felice regno di Narnia in una landa desolata. Per fortuna c'è qualcuno che può rimettere le cose a posto...

More than anything else in the world, Emily Byrd Starr wants to be a writer. When Emily's stern and proper Aunt Elizabeth finally consents to send her away to high school, the budding author is overjoyed...until she learns of her aunt's conditions. Emily must live with her even sterner and more proper Aunt Ruth, and she has to give up writing stories for the duration of her schooling. Still, to climb one step higher on the Alpine Path to success, Emily agrees. Follow Emily and her friends Ilse, Teddy, and Perry as they head off to school in Shrewsbury.

Mother Duck's brood of little ducklings are all adorable - except for one. The ugly duckling is large, grey, and awkward - but he has a surprise in store.... A magical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, read by Stephen Mangan.

"The Fir Tree" is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, about a fir tree so anxious to grow up, so anxious for greater things, that he cannot appreciate living in the moment. It is a melancholy story, warning about the dangers of always expecting greater glory just around the corner, only to be disappointed or to regret the unappreciated instants; only the moment is worthwhile.

Aesop, an ancient Greek poet who was sold into slavery in the early sixth century B.C, relied on animal stories to convey his key points to his masters in court. Aesop's Fables are now classic, memorable morality plays in which amusing animal characters drive home thought-provoking morals to generations of listeners and modern day readers. They illustrate what was fundamental to Greek culture yet their appeal lies in logic we still understand.

A classic story of friendship between man and beast. Saved from the jaws of the evil tiger Shere Khan, young Mowgli is adopted by a wolf pack and taught the law of the jungle by lovable old Baloo the bear and Bhageera the panther. The adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the snake-fighting mongoose, little Toomai and the elephant's secret dance, and Kotick the white seal are all part of Mowgli's extraordinary journey with his animal friends. A robust reading by Tony Robinson.

This collection includes the remastered Online Stage productions of Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys as well as Comic Tragedies by Jo & Meg. Little Women is the story of four sisters growing up against the background of the American Civil War. Alcott wrote the book at the urging of the publisher, Thomas Niles, who was seeking a story about girls that would have popular appeal.

At the outbreak of World War 1, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home....

Since its original publication in 1911, The Secret Garden has ranked as one of the world's best-loved novels, captivating children and adults alike with its luminous tale of secrets and revelations, growth and renewal, and, above all, the transforming power of love.

Far from fading with time, Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat, Mole, Badger and the preposterous Mr Toad, have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on and by the river, and at the imposing residence of Toad Hall.

Uh-oh! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is stuck in reverse. And Little Harry's pressed a button that means she's reversing through time - with the Tootings aboard. When they finally come to a stop, it's at the feet of a very hungry-looking T. rex. How are the Tootings - and Chitty - going to get out of this one? More fun, fast, feel-good adventure with the world's greatest car...driven by the world's most hapless family.

First in the super-funny classic series The Bagthorpe Saga, starring the totally unforgettable Bagthorpe family - from best-loved author Helen Cresswell. Jack's fed up of living in the shadow of his brilliant siblings. He and his trusty dog Zero are completely ordinary while the rest of them are annoyingly gifted. So when Uncle Parker comes up with a plan to make Jack stand out, he's more than a little excited. =

The Find-Outers have no mystery to solve, so Larry disguises himself as a window cleaner. But Larry, Fatty, Daisy, Pip and Bets soon discover that money has been stolen from the bungalow Larry was cleaning - and a few days later, all the furniture is gone, too! The Find-Outers are on the case to discover who the thief is....

Twins Jiacomo and Laurenzo look exactly the same - but they are as different as night and day. Hard-working Laurenzo wants to make beautiful things and becomes a goldsmith; Jiacomo loves travel and adventure and uses his wiles to become an excellent thief.... The goldsmith and the master thief can easily be mistaken for one another, and this gets them both into and out of all kinds of trouble.

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, send for a boy orphan to help them out at the farm, they are in no way prepared for the error that will change their lives. The mistake takes the shape of Anne Shirley, a redheaded 11-year-old girl who can talk anyone under the table. Fortunately, her sunny nature and quirky imagination quickly win over her reluctant foster parents. Anne's feisty spirit soon draws many friends - and much trouble - her way.

Term is over and, after a short camping expedition that leaves poor Mr Wilkins determined never to go through such an horrific experience again, Jennings is off to stay with his Aunt Angela. There, he meets Emma Sparrow who needs to hide her collection of stray animals from the exasperated caretaker. When Jennings comes up with a seemingly flawless plan, he congratulates himself on his quick thinking. But with Jennings at large, things can always be expected to go disastrously wrong! "Fossilised fish-hooks!"

Solve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone's favourite detective club! These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series. It's their first adventure, and the Secret Seven super-sleuths are already on the trail of a mystery! The gang are dressed in disguise, following a lead to a spooky old house in the snow.... Solve the mystery!

Dim the lights and gather around the freshly-trimmed tree for a magical Christmas Eve experience that will become a family tradition. The beloved poem from Clement C. Moore captures the true spirit of Christmas.

Read by Geraldine McEwan. This classic story has been loved by millions of children since it was first published over 40 years ago.The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don't expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

This superlative collection of children's stories brings together a feast of fantastic fiction, read in full by a host of top narrators and with a comprehensive track listing for ease of listening. Comprising everything from fairytales for little ones to thrilling adventures for pre-teens, these unabridged readings are ideal for families to keep, treasure and dip into as their children grow.

The world of Anthea, Cyril, Robert, Jane, and "the Lamb" is transformed when they come upon a Psammead (or Sand Fairy) who grants them one wish a day - with unexpected results!

In book 15, the Seven are determined to help out. They are very fond of Tolly and his sick horse, Brownie, and need to find them somewhere to hide out - somewhere that dangerous horse thieves will never think to look. But where? Solve the mystery!