BBC Top Childrens Books

Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school.

Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their king.

Dear Reader,I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.With all due respect,Lemony Snicket

One child a week is fifty-two a year. Squish them and squiggle them and make them disappear.Beware.There are witches everywhere. Witches could be a cashier in a supermarket, a woman driving a fancy car, or even your own teacher.The only thing a witch cares about is squelching children. She hunts and squelches as many children as she possibly can. At least one a week.The Grand High Witch hates children most of all and plans to make every single one of you disappear.Only one boy and his grandmother can stop her. But if their plan fails, the Grand High Witch will frizzle them like fritters, and then what will happen?Endorsements'A true genius . . . Roald Dahl is my hero' — David Walliams

Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are sisters — with a difference. All three were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew, an eccentric and rich explorer who then disappeared, leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia. The girls grow up in comfort until their money begins to run out and nobody can find Great Uncle Matthew. Things look bleak until they hit on an inspired idea: Pauline, Petrova and Posy will take to the stage. But it's not long before the Fossils learn that being a star isn't as easy as they first thought...

Laura Ingalls and her family live deep in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Their log cabin is surrounded by miles of trees, and their closest neighbors are bears, wolves, and panthers. Daily chores keep Laura and her sister Mary busy, but they still find time to go exploring with their dog, Jack.

Paddington Bear had traveled all the way from Peru when the Browns first met him in Paddington Station. Since then, their lives have never been quite the same... For ordinary things become extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is involved.First published in 1958, A Bear Called Paddington is the first novel by Michael Bond, chronicling the adventures of this lovable bear. Paddington has charmed readers for generations with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures.The classic novel about Paddington—who's now a major movie star!

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost...Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.EndorsementsA classic tale by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, America’s beloved storyteller

When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. At night she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape.Then Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. One day, with the help of two unexpected companions, she discovers a way in. Is everything in the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?

Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.

Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as 'The Little Prince'.Howard, an acclaimed poet and one of the preeminent translators of our time, has excelled in bringing the English text as close as possible to the French, in language, style, and, most important, spirit.Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the "Winged Poet," was born in Lyon, France, in 1900. At twenty-six he became a pilot and was a pioneer of commercial aviation; he flew in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. His writings include The Little Prince, Wind, Sand and Stars, Night Flight, Southern Mail, and Airman's Odyssey. In 1944, while flying a reconnaissance mission for his French air squadron, he disappeared over the Mediterranean.Translator: Richard Howard is the author of eleven books of poetry, including 'Untitled Subjects', which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1970, and Trappings. He has translated more than 150 works from the French.

"Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, about last Friday, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest all by himself under the name of Sanders..."And so begins the classic tale of Edward Bear — better known as Winnie-the-Pooh. For nearly seventy years, readers have been delighted by the adventures of Christopher Robin and his lovable friends. Paired with the perfectly suited drawings of Ernest H. Shepard, A.A. Milne's classic story continues to captivate children of all ages.

On the night Ronia was born, a thunderstorm raged over the mountain, but in Matt's castle and among his band of robbers there was only joy — for Matt now had a spirited little black-haired daughter. Soon Ronia learns to dance and yell with the robbers, but it is alone in the forest that she feels truly at home.Then one day Ronia meets Birk, the son of Matt's arch-enemy. Soon after Ronia and Birk become friends, the worst quarrel ever between the rival bands erupts, and Ronia and Birk are right in the middle.

Matilda is a brilliant child with a magical mind.But her parents have decided she's just a nuisance who wastes too much time on reading and stories.And her headmistress Miss Trunchbull is a terrible bully, who thinks children are rotten and awful and should be locked up.Now it's time for Matilda to find the power to change her story, and show them just how extraordinary children can be...These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: you are not alone.

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.Dr. Seuss's beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book's final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.Celebrate nature with Dr. Seuss and the Lorax in this classic picture book about sustainability and protecting the environment!Endorsements"Pretty much all the stuff you need to know is in Dr. Seuss." — President Barack Obama

Danny has a life any boy would love—his home is a gypsy caravan, he's the youngest master car mechanic around, and his best friend is his dad, who never runs out of wonderful stories to tell.But one night Danny discovers a shocking secret that his father has kept hidden for years. Soon Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible plot ever attempted against nasty Victor Hazell, a wealthy landowner with a bad attitude. Can they pull it off? If so, Danny will truly be the champion of the world.

"Human beans is not really believing in giants, is they? Human beans is not thinking we exist."One dark, silvery moonlit night, Sophie is snatched from her bed by a giant!Luckily it is the Big Friendly Giant (the BFG), who is no ordinary bone-crunching giant, but instead prefers snozzcumbers and frobscottle to children.But there are other giants in Giant Country. And those giants have a plan to gallop far and wide to find some tasty human beans to eat.Can Sophie and the BFG stop them?

The boy wizard Harry Potter has been casting a spell over young readers and their families ever since 1997.Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.It's time to take the magical journey of a lifetime. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Tommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another!

One sunny Sunday, the caterpillar hatched from a tiny egg. He was very hungry. On Monday, he ate through one apple; on Tuesday, he ate through three plums — and still he was hungry. When full at last, he made a cocoon around himself and went to sleep, to wake up a few weeks later wonderfully transformed into a butterfly!The brilliantly innovative Eric Carle has dramatized the story of one of nature's commonest yet loveliest marvels, the metamorphosis of the butterfly.Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life?

This night will be bad and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.It's Midwinter's Eve, the day before Will's eleventh birthday. But there is an atmosphere of fear in the familiar countryside around him. This will be a birthday like no other. Will discovers that he has the power of the Old Ones, and that he must embark on a quest to vanquish the terrifyingly evil magic of the Dark.The second novel in Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence.

A man gives his wife and daughter a last kiss and boards a steamship to cross the ocean. He's embarking on the most painful yet important journey of his life—he's leaving home to build a better future for his family.Shaun Tan evokes universal aspects of an immigrant's experience through a singular work of the imagination. He does so using brilliantly clear and mesmerizing images. Because the main character can't communicate in words, the book forgoes words, too. While the reader experiences the main character's isolation, he also shares his ultimate joy.

The first book in the Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin is a tale of wizards, dragons, and terrifying shadows.The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatest — and surely the greatest voyager — is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy he discovered the great power that was in him — with terrifying consequences. Tempted by pride to try spells beyond his means, Sparrowhawk lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land. Only he can destroy it, and the quest leads him to the farthest corner of Earthsea.

The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear's memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor— and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

In a curiously heartwarming and elegantly illustrated story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. Duck and Death play together and discuss big questions. Death, dressed in a dressing gown and slippers, is sympathetic and kind and will be the duck’s companion until the end.“I’m cold,” she said one evening. “Will you warm me a little?” Snowflakes drifted down. Something had happened. Death looked at the duck. She’d stopped breathing. She lay quite still.Explaining the topic of death in a way that is honest, lightly philosophical and with gentle humor, this enchanting book has been translated into multiple languages, adapted into an animated movie and a short film, and performed on stages worldwide.From award-winning author and illustrator Wolf Erlbruch comes one of the world's best children's books about grief and loss.EndorsementsVoted one of the 100 greatest children's books of all time by the BBC.Wolf Erlbruch received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2006 and was the winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2017.“The gold standard of picture books about death is Duck, Death and the Tulip … It’s hard to describe how this extraordinarily tender book manages to be both heartbreaking and comforting, but it does.” — The New York Times“The most extraordinary picture book I’ve seen in many a year. A duck becomes friends with Death, and it’s the most natural thing in the world. Trust me, adults get far more weirded out by this book than children ever do. Amazing.” — Patrick Ness, Time Out London“The most moving book I’ve read this year is the German picture book Duck, Death and The Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch, about the strange, uneasy friendship.” — Meg Rosoff, The Financial Times“The German children's book author and illustrator Wolf Erlbruch offers a wonderfully warm and assuring answer in Duck, Death and the Tulip - a marvelous addition to the handful of intelligent and imaginative children's books about death and loss.” — Maria Popova, Brainpickings“Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch is a superb picture book from Germany, that tells a gentle story of the relationship between Death and a duck. Death is portrayed as a sympathetic figure in a dressing gown who is with us all the time, but who only comes into Duck’s consciousness towards the end of his life. It is warm, poignant and witty.” — Anthony Browne, The Guardian

There's no one Karl Lion loves more than his older brother, Jonathan, who is brave, strong, and handsome — everything Karl believes he is not. Karl never wants to be parted from him. But Karl is sick, and knows he's going to die. To comfort him, Jonathan tells him stories of Nangiyala, the wonderful place he'll be going to when he dies, and where he will wait until Jonathan is ready to join him there. Then the unthinkable happens... Jonathan is killed in an accident. Heartbroken, Karl longs for the day he'll be reunited with his brother. When the time comes, he finds Nangiyala just as wonderful as he'd imagined. However, Nangiyala is under threat. A cruel tyrant is determined to claim it as his own, and at his command is a terrible beast that is feared throughout the land. Karl must summon all of his courage to help his brother prepare for the battle that lies ahead...

Jacqueline Woodson tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson's eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Written and illustrated by one of the world's most acclaimed and award-winning children's authors, The Three Robbers is a timeless tale of mystery and suspense for 4–8-year-olds, in which three ferocious thieves are defeated by the guileless logic of an innocent girl.

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day.Universal in its appeal, the story reveals a child's wonder at a new world and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.EndorsementsWinner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal!"Keats's sparse collage illustrations capture the wonder and beauty a snowy day can bring to a small child." — Barnes & Noble"Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow." — Publisher's Weekly"The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also for its importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, The Snowy Day was 'the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero' — yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's as unique and special as a snowflake." — Amazon.com

Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren, through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

Shaun Tan combines humour and surreal fantasy to picture a summer in the lives of two boys. The boys hide from a giant red rabbit and outwit a crowd of scary eagles, but when their games become ever darker and more sinister they learn that breaking the rules can be dangerous.Never break the rules. Especially if you don't understand them.EndorsementsVisually fascinating. — The New York TimesThrilling, disturbing and hard to shake... one startling image after another. — Wall Street JournalShaun Tan — Academy Award and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner

Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power - the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring - the ring that rules them all - which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as the Ring is entrusted to his care. He must leave his home and make a perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord. There he must destroy the Ring forever and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike.

Something is scratching around in the attic above Alison's room. Yet the only thing up there is a stack of grimy old plates. Alison and her stepbrother, Roger, discover that the flowery patterns on the plates, when traced onto paper, can be fitted together to create owls — owls that disappear when no one is watching. With each vanished owl, strange events begin to happen around Alison, Roger, and the caretaker's son, Gwyn. As the kids uncover the mystery of the owl service, they become trapped within a local legend, playing out roles in a tragic love story that has repeated itself for generations... a love story that has always ended in disaster.

This epic work of the imagination has captured the hearts of readers worldwide since it was first published. Its story-within-a-story is an irresistible invitation for readers to become part of the book itself.The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic, and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.Readers, too, can travel to the wondrous, unforgettable world of Fantastica if they will just turn the page...

From the moment Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen, Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life at the Banks house is forever changed.It all starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. Who else but Mary Poppins can slide up banisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial? A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!

Auntie and Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and all the cousins want to hug and kiss the new baby — they all love the baby so much! Illustrations by Helen Oxenbury brim with the warmth of a large, loving extended family.Mom and baby are home alone when — ding dong! — Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up — because everybody loves the baby so much! With Helen Oxenbury lending her characteristic warmth and humor to a most exuberant family party, Trish Cooke's rhythmic, cumulative story captures the joy of being the baby in a large extended family — a baby who knows that he is absolutely, utterly adored.

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Just what is the Gruffalo?He has terrible tusks... and terrible claws... and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws.But do all those things make him the scariest creature in the deep dark wood? One brave little mouse with a big imagination doesn't think so!When Mouse takes a stroll through the woods, he meets a fox, an owl, and a snake who all want to eat him. So clever Mouse scares them off by warning them about the gruffalo who lives in the forest, a monster with terrible teeth and terrible claws.But what happens when Mouse's invented monster turns out to be real?EndorsementsMade into an Oscar-nominated animated film.

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.EndorsementsWinner of the 2019 Stonewall Book Award

When Moomintroll learns that a comet will be passing by, he and his friend Sniff travel to the Observatory on the Lonely Mountains to consult the Professors. Along the way, they have many adventures, but the greatest adventure of all awaits them when they learn that the comet is headed straight for their beloved Moominvalley.

“All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.”For more than a century, The Wind in the Willows and its endearing protagonists—Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, of course, the incorrigible Toad—have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories will surprise and captivate you.Hailed as one of the most enduringly popular works of the twentieth century, this story is a classic of magical fancy and enchanting wit. Penned in lyrical prose, the adventures and misadventures of the book’s intrepid quartet of heroes raise fantasy to the level of myth. Reflecting the freshness of childhood wonder, it still offers adults endless sophistication, substance, and depth.The animals’ world embodies the author’s wry, whimsical, and unfailingly inventive imagination. It is a world that succeeding generations of both adult and young readers have found irresistible. But why say more? To use the words of the estimable Mr. Toad himself: “Travel, change, interest, excitement!...Come inside.”

Then he said That is that.And then he was goneWith a tip of his hat.A dreary day turns into a wild romp when this beloved story introduces readers to the Cat in the Hat and his troublemaking friends, Thing 1 and Thing 2 — and don't forget Fish!Have a ball with Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat in this classic picture book...but don't forget to clean up your mess! A favorite among kids, parents and teachers, this story uses simple words and basic rhyme to encourage and delight beginning readers.

Erotic, brutal, witty and poetic, One Thousand and One Nights are the never-ending stories told by the young Shahrazad under sentence of death to King Shahrayar. Maddened by the discovery of his wife's orgies, King Shahrayar believes all women are unfaithful and vows to marry a virgin every night and kill her in the morning. To survive, his newest wife Shahrazad spins a web of tales night after night, leaving the King in suspense when morning comes, thus prolonging her life for another day. Written in Arabic from tales gathered in India, Persia and across the great Arab empire, these mesmerising stories tell of the real and the supernatural, love and marriage, power and punishment, wealth and poverty, and the endless trials and uncertainties of fate. Now adapted by Hanan Al-Shaykh, the One Thousand and One Nights are revealed in an intoxicating new voice.

Partly autobiographical, this is the first of the internationally acclaimed trilogy by Judith Kerr, telling the unforgettable story of a Jewish family fleeing from Germany at the start of the Second World WarSuppose your country began to change. Suppose that without your noticing, it became dangerous for some people to live in Germany any longer. Suppose you found, to your complete surprise, that your own father was one of those people.That is what happened to Anna in 1933. She was nine years old when it began, too busy with her schoolwork and tobogganing to take much notice of political posters, but out of them glared the face of Adolf Hitler, the man who would soon change the whole of Europe – starting with her own small life.Anna suddenly found things moving too fast for her to understand. One day her father was unaccountably missing. Then she herself and her brother Max were being rushed by their mother, in alarming secrecy, away from everything they knew – home and schoolmates and well-loved toys – right out of Germany...

A neurodivergent girl campaigns for a memorial when she learns that her small Scottish town used to burn witches simply because they were different.Ever since Ms. Murphy told us about the witch trials that happened centuries ago right here in Juniper, I can't stop thinking about them. Those people weren't magic. They were like me. Different like me.I'm autistic. I see things that others do not. I hear sounds that they can ignore. And sometimes I feel things all at once. I think about the witches, with no one to speak for them. Not everyone in our small town understands. But if I keep trying, maybe someone will. I won't let the witches be forgotten. Because there is more to their story. Just like there is more to mine.

A trustee of the John Grier orphanage has offered to send Judy Abbott to college. The only requirements are that she must write to him every month and that she can never know who he is. Judy's life at college is a whirlwind of friends, classes, parties and a growing friendship with the handsome Jervis Pendleton. With so much happening in her life, Judy can scarcely stop writing to 'Daddy-Long-Legs', or wondering who her mysterious benefactor is...

Children will sympathize with bad-kitty Piper Paw when he refuses to wear the clothes his mother sets out, squirms from her when she smothers him in kisses, and won't eat when she desperately tries to please him with his favorite foods. Through every disruptive means available to him — slingshots, stink bombs, spiders, pea shooters, and firecrackers — young Piper manages to earn the wrong kind of attention from parents, teachers, and classmates. It ultimately takes a fight in the schoolyard to bring Piper's problems to a head. When Mrs. Paw reacts with her usual caring but overly protective ways, Piper comes back at her with angry words, and both feel hurt and misunderstood.Finally, Piper takes a big step toward truly growing up by giving up some of his childish pranks and learning to let his mother know, in his own way, that he loves her, but that he is uncomfortable with too many kisses! Throughout this entertaining tale, Tomi Ungerer's expressive, imaginative illustrations show each character's deeper feelings as both Piper and his mother finally learn to respect each other's preferences.

Esau have I hated... Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin, Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even now, Caroline seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future.For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is... and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the smelliest, nastiest, ugliest people in the world. They hate everything except playing mean jokes on each other, catching innocent birds to put in their Bird Pies, and making their caged monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps, stand on their heads all day. But the Muggle-Wumps have had enough. They don't just want out, they want revenge.

"What are we, Papa?" the toy mouse child asked his father. "I don't know," the father answered. "We must wait and see." So begins the story of a tin father and son who dance under a Christmas tree until they break the ancient clockwork rules and are themselves broken. Thrown away, then rescued from a trash can and repaired by a tramp, they set out on a perilous odyssey to follow the child's dream of a family and a place of their own. What happens to the mouse and his child in their search for the magnificent doll house, the plush elephant, and the tin seal they had known in the toy shop is a tale to remember and return to.

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she's determined to let everyone know it—somehow.

Tove Jansson's Moomin characters and books are admired the world over. In the United States the series beginning with Finn Family Moomintroll (first published in English in 1945) has accumulated generations of fans. At last the final installment is being published — oddly, the only book that features none of the Moomin family themselves, though it does take place at their house. There familiar characters converge — Snufkin, the Hemulen, Fillyjonk, and others — seeking out the Moomins' welcoming company, only to find them absent. All remain at the house, all have very different personalities that clash often, but something about their homey cohabitation during the icy winter changes each visitor in a gratifying way.Endorsements"Possibly the cleverest of the Moomin books." — The Times Literary Supplement

Illustrated in full color, this is a wordless story. The pictures have "the hazy softness of air in snow." A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The boy invites him home and in return is taken on a flight high above the countryside.

In this evocative wordless book, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl's day at the beach.EndorsementsNew York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, 2008

In the middle of the 19th century, many young men were sent to Milan to work as slaves. Their lives were extremely difficult, and many died from the harsh conditions. But Giorgio survived because of the friendship and solidarity he experienced with a secret band known as the Black Brothers.Some 100 years later, Lisa Tetzner and her husband Kurt Held wrote about Giorgio's experiences and adventures.

All Jin Wang wants is to fit in. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he suddenly finds that he's the only Chinese American student at his school. Jocks and bullies pick on him constantly, and he has hardly any friends. Then, to make matters worse, he falls in love with an all-American girl...Born to rule over all the monkeys in the world, the story of the Monkey King is one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables. Adored by his subjects, master of the arts of kung-fu, he is the most powerful monkey on earth. But the Monkey King doesn't want to be a monkey. He wants to be hailed as a god...Chin-Kee is the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, and he's ruining his cousin Danny's life. Danny's a popular kid at school, but every year Chin-Kee comes to visit, and every year Danny has to transfer to a new school to escape the shame. This year, though, things quickly go from bad to worse...These three apparently unrelated tales come together with an unexpected twist, in a modern fable that is hilarious, poignant and action-packed.

Imagine Smidge's delight when, one day, a little man with a propeller on his back appears hovering at the window! It's Karlson and he lives in a house on the roof. Soon Smidge and Karlson are sharing all sorts of adventures, from tackling thieves and playing tricks to looping the loop and running across the rooftops. Fun and chaos burst from these charming, classic stories.

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!The enchanting story of Sophie and her extraordinary tea-time guest has been loved by millions of children since it was first published 40 years ago. This modern classic picture book is perfect for reading aloud, or for small children to read to themselves time and again.

Panchatantra is perhaps the oldest collection of Indian fables still surviving. It was written around 200 BC by the Hindu scholar Pandit Vishnu Sharma. Panchatantra means 'the five books'. It is a Nitishastra, which means a book of wise conduct in life. The book is written as a series of simple stories, and each story has a moral and philosophical theme that has stood the test of time in the modern age of atomic fear and madness. It guides readers to attain success in life by understanding human nature. Panchatantra is commonly available in an abridged form written for children. This is the complete translation of the book as written by Vishnu Sharma.

When the roof leaks, Ernest the bear plays his violin and Celestine the mouse sings in the street to earn money for repairs, but they find other uses for it.

The Moomins, in case you haven't already met them, are kind, philosophical creatures with velvety fur and smooth round snouts, who live in a beautiful valley in a forest in Finland. They have the most natural way of turning friends into family - Moominmamma simply adds another plank to the table and Moominpappa builds a new bed. The Moomins sleep through the winter, when the snow turns their house into a giant snowball. But when spring comes they wake and clamber down rope ladders hanging from their windows, ready for a bright new adventure.In Finn Family Moomintroll the discovery of the Hobgoblin's hat leads to the most extraordinary magic and mayhem. Coupled with the arrival of Thingumy and Bob and their mysterious suitcase, the Moomins have never experienced anything quite like this before.

The story grew out of a map that led to imaginary treasure, devised during a holiday in Scotland by Stevenson and his nephew. The tale is told by an adventurous boy, Jim Hawkins, who gets hold of a treasure map and sets off with an adult crew in search of the buried treasure. Among the crew, however, is the treacherous Long John Silver, who is determined to keep the treasure for himself. Stevenson's first full-length work of fiction brought him immediate fame and continues to captivate readers of all ages.

Just William is everyone's favorite troublemaker.There is only one Just William. The lovable imp has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting generations of readers for years. Here, the Outlaws plan a day of non-stop adventure. The only problem is that William is meant to be babysitting, but he won't let that stop him from having fun with his gang—he'll just bring the baby along!

All the other bulls run, jump, and butt their heads together in fights. Ferdinand, on the other hand, would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when Ferdinand is picked for the bullfights in Madrid?The Story of Ferdinand has inspired, enchanted, and provoked readers ever since it was first published in 1936 for its message of nonviolence and pacifism. In WWII times, Adolf Hitler ordered the book burned in Nazi Germany, while Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, granted it privileged status as the only non-communist children's book allowed in Poland.The story was adapted by Walt Disney into a short animated film entitled Ferdinand the Bull in 1938.A true classic with a timeless message!EndorsementsMahatma Gandhi — called it his favorite book.Ferdinand the Bull — won the 1938 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons).

'What we all need,' said Larry, 'is sunshine...a country where we can grow.'Yes, dear, that would be nice,' agreed Mother, not really listening.'I had a letter from George this morning - he says Corfu's wonderful. Why don't we pack up and go to Greece?''Very well, dear, if you like,' said Mother unguardedly.Escaping the ills of the British climate, the Durrell family - acne-ridden Margo, gun-toting Leslie, bookworm Lawrence and budding naturalist Gerry, along with their long suffering mother and Roger the dog - take off for the island of Corfu.But the Durrells find that, reluctantly, they must share their various villas with a menagerie of local fauna - among them scorpions, geckos, toads, bats and butterflies.

Heidi, an orphan, lives with her gruff but caring grandfather on the side of a Swiss mountain, where she befriends Peter, the young goat-herd.She leads an idyllic life until she is sent to live in the city with a sickly girl. Will Heidi ever see her grandfather again?A classic coming-of-age tale about friendship and familial love.

The Moomins and the Great Flood is the first book about the Moomins, originally published in 1945. It's the story of Moominmamma and Moomintroll's search for the missing Moominpappa and how they found their way to Moominvalley.

Haroun's father is the greatest of all storytellers. His magical stories bring laughter to the sad city of Alifbay. But one day something goes wrong and his father runs out of stories to tell. Haroun is determined to return the storyteller's gift to his father. So he flies off on the back of the Hoopie bird to the Sea of Stories — and a fantastic adventure begins.

Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice.It is also Cassie's story — Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers over the course of an important year why having land of their own is so crucial to the Logan family, even as she learns to draw strength from her own sense of dignity and self-respect.EndorsementsNewbery Award-winning

When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their "Children's and Household Tales" in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea that such stories as "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Cinderella" would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are familiar with the majority of tales from the two early volumes, since in the next four decades the Grimms would publish six other editions, each extensively revised in content and style. For the very first time, "The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm" makes available in English all 156 stories from the 1812 and 1815 editions.From "The Frog King" to "The Golden Key," wondrous worlds unfold—heroes and heroines are rewarded, weaker animals triumph over the strong, and simple bumpkins prove themselves not so simple after all. Esteemed fairy tale scholar Jack Zipes offers accessible translations that retain the spare description and engaging storytelling style of the originals. Indeed, this is what makes the tales from the 1812 and 1815 editions unique—they reflect diverse voices, rooted in oral traditions, that are absent from the Grimms' later, more embellished collections of tales. Zipes's introduction gives important historical context, and the book includes the Grimms' prefaces and notes.A delight to read, "The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm" presents these peerless stories to a whole new generation of readers.

Grown-up Meg, tomboyish Jo, timid Beth, and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn't be more different. But with their father away at war, and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on one another. Whether they're putting on a play, forming a secret society, or celebrating Christmas, there's one thing they can't help wondering: Will Father return home safely?

Once there was a lonely woodcutter named Geppetto, who dreamed of having a boy of his own. So one day he carved a boy out of wood and named him Pinocchio.When the puppet comes to life, it's Geppetto's dream come true.Except Pinocchio turns out to be not such a nice boy after all. Pinocchio enjoys nothing better than creating mischief and playing mean tricks. As he discovers, being bad is much more fun than being good.For a while, anyway.Happily for Pinocchio, he will learn that there is much more to being a real boy than having fun.And that's no lie!EndorsementsAn introduction by Guillermo del Toro, director of the Academy Award-winning Netflix original movie!"It took one look at Gris' design for me to be convinced that... this was 'the' Pinocchio." — Guillermo del Toro

For more than a century, the adventures of Peter Pan—the boy who can fly and never grows up—and Wendy Darling have captured the hearts of generations of readers. In this enchanting illustrated volume, the fantastical world of Neverland and its magical inhabitants, including the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Tiger Lily, and the beloved Tinker Bell, are brought to life like never before.Beautiful and captivating, filled with breathtaking artwork, this stunning book is sure to become a treasured keepsake for fans of all ages.

Everyone knows the Moomins sleep through the winter. But this year, Moomintroll has woken up early. So while the rest of the family slumber, he decides to visit his favorite summer haunts. But all he finds is this strange white stuff. Even the sun is gone! Moomintroll is angry: whoever Winter is, she has some nerve. Determined to discover the truth about this most mysterious of all seasons, Moomintroll goes where no Moomin has gone before.

For Milo, everything's a bore. When a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and goes up against the dastardly Discord and Dynne.By the time Milo and Tock set off toward the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the twin Princesses, Rhyme and Reason, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams...

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger."Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract."A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L'Engle's unusual book.A Wrinkle in Time is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.EndorsementsWinner of the Newbery Medal (1963)

"Now, my dears," said old Mrs Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden."Follow the story of naughty Peter Rabbit as he squeezes—predictably—under the gate into Mr. McGregor's garden and finds himself in all kinds of trouble! But how does Peter Rabbit get himself out of this tricky situation? Beatrix Potter's story about one mischievous but ultimately endearing little creature will tell us, accompanied by beautiful illustrations and timeless verses which have transcended generations.The Tale of Peter Rabbit, first published in 1902, is still today one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tales. It is the first of the illustrious series that is The World of Beatrix Potter, and a story which has endured retelling after retelling at bedtimes all over the world.Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals.

“Without this child, we shall all die.”Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight. Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world…

Narnia...the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy...the place where the adventure begins.Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives are changed forever.

This beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, is a classic of children's literature.Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. It contains illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White's Stuart Little and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, among many other books.EndorsementsOne of America's top 100 most-loved novels — PBS’s The Great American Read

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket — our hero — a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and ready for the wildest time of his life!

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

In this beloved modern classic, young Sophie Hatter from the land of Ingary catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell…Deciding she has nothing more to lose, Sophie makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on the hills above her town, Market Chipping. But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl, whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls…There Sophie meets Michael, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer the fire demon, with whom she agrees a pact. Her entanglements with Calcifer, Howl and Michael and her quest to break her curse come alive with Diana Wynne Jones’s unique combination of magic, humour and imagination.

When Tom is sent to stay at his aunt and uncle's house for the summer, he resigns himself to endless weeks of boredom. As he lies awake in his bed he hears the grandfather clock downstairs strike... eleven... twelve... thirteen... Thirteen! Tom races down the stairs and out the back door into a garden everyone told him wasn't there. In this enchanted thirteenth hour, the garden comes alive—but Tom is never sure whether the children he meets there are real or ghosts...This entrancing and magical story is one of the best-loved children's books ever written.

Margery Williams's famous story tells of a young boy and his treasured favorite toy, a splendid "fat and bunchy" rabbit, whose ears are lined with a pink sateen. This is a classic tale that remains as compelling today as when it was first published in 1922.

One of the best-loved animal adventures ever written. As a young colt, Black Beauty gallops in the fresh green meadows with his beloved mother, Duchess, and their kind master. But when his owners are forced to sell him, he swaps a life of freedom and happiness for one of work and toil. Bravely he works as hard as he can, suffering at the hands of men who treat animals cruelly. But Black Beauty has an unbreakable spirit and a strong will, and is determined to survive...

Sephy is a Cross: dark-skinned and beautiful, she lives a life of privilege and power. But she’s lonely, and she burns with injustice at the world she sees around her.Callum is a nought: pale-skinned and poor, he’s considered to be less than nothing, there to serve Crosses, but he dreams of a better life.They’ve been friends since they were children, and they both know that’s as far as it can ever go. Noughts and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies—love is out of the question.Then—in spite of a world that is fiercely against them—these star-crossed lovers choose each other.But it comes at a price and as they prepare to protect themselves and their love, they realize that the cost will lead both of them into terrible danger…and will have shocking repercussions for generations to come.Two star-crossed lovers fight for a more just world in this searing novel.EndorsementsA critically acclaimed BBC series adaptation is now streaming on NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform.

Baum characterized his ever-popular story as "a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out."His rich fantasies and child-friendly narrative, combined with W. W. Denslow's artistry, continue to charm readers.More than a century later, children continue to take Dorothy and her friends into their hearts.

When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully. She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation. And she would go in comfort—she would live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She saved her money, and she invited her brother Jamie to go, mostly because he was a miser and would have money.Claudia was a good organizer and Jamie had some ideas, too, so the two took up residence at the museum right on schedule. But once the fun of settling in was over, Claudia had two unexpected problems: she felt just the same and wanted to feel different, and she found a statue at the museum so beautiful she could not go home until she had discovered its maker, a question that baffled the experts, too.The former owner of the statue was Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Without her—well, without her, Claudia might never have found a way to go home.

It takes a graveyard to raise a child.Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy — an ancient indigo man, a gateway to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible Fleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will be in danger from the man Jack — who has already killed Bod's family...

We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one.Will you come too? Join a father and his four young children as they cross a field of tall, wavy grass, wade through a deep, cold river, struggle through swampy mud, find their way through a big, dark forest, fight through a whirling snowstorm, and finally enter a narrow, gloomy cave. What will they find there? You’ll have to read on to find out!Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family. Readers have been swishy swashing and splash sploshing through this favorite for decades.

Peter, Phyllis and Roberta's lives change overnight when their father is taken away by two strangers. They move from the comfort of their London home to a small country cottage, and are left to their own devices while their mother writes day and night to support the family. But with their new poverty comes more freedom than they ever dreamed of, and the railway line at the bottom of their garden offers the trio a world of new friendships that will change their lives forever.A tale of blissful independence and adventure, Nesbit's beloved children's classic is a timeless story of joy, hope and the importance of family.This Macmillan Collector's Library edition features the beautiful illustrations of C. E. Brock, and an afterword by Anna South.Designed to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautifully bound pocket-sized gift editions of much loved classic titles. Bound in real cloth, printed on high quality paper, and featuring ribbon markers and gilt edges, Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.