WORLD STORIES of
VINTAGE CHILDREN’S CLASSICS
Dear Reader, Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at and shaped by 8-12 year olds, and the adults in their lives. It is a broad, affordable selection of books that will inspire a life-long love of reading; these stories that have secured a place in the hearts of thousands. Fans of our unrivalled list of adult classics will appreciate the same adherence to quality production in our new range for children, but after conducting extensive research and speaking to both children and parents about what they want on their shelves, we’ve created books with timeless, irresistible appeal: colourful, character-driven cover images, concise and engaging blurb, original and unabridged texts with beautiful illustrations and maps throughout. We know that story-hungry children don’t want the adventure to end: on our new fully interactive website they will find a world of wonderful stories, and all of our classics contain exclusive extra material – the ‘Backstory’ – with quizzes, activities and fascinating facts about the books and their authors. The Vintage Children’s Classics are books to be given as gifts, and passed down the generations. In this booklet you’ll find extracts and pictures to whet your reading appetites, and we hope it gives a flavour of what makes Vintage Children’s Classics truly special. Enjoy!
He spits, swears, smokes a pipe and never goes to school
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN MARK TWAIN With his too-big clothes and battered straw hat, Huck is in need of ‘civilising’, and the Widow Douglas is determined to take him in hand. And wouldn’t you know, Huck’s no-good Pap is also after him and he locks Huck up in his cabin in the woods. But Huck won’t stand too much of this, and after a daring escape, he sets off on a dangerous adventure down the Mississippi on a raft with an runaway slave called Jim. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, a write-your-own secret code and suggestions for further reading
9780099572978 £6.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
MARK TWAIN
VINTAGE
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
‘One afternoon, when Bruno came home from school, he was surprised to find Maria, the family’s maid – who ‘It’s lovely to live on a raft. We had always kept her head bowed and never the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, looked up from the carpet – standing in we used to lay on our backs and look hisand bedroom, pulling all his belongings them, and discuss about whether theyin outupofatthe wardrobe and packing them waslarge made,wooden or only just happened he four crates, even –theJimthings allowed theyatwas I allowed theyto he’d hidden themade, backbut that belonged happened; I judged it would havebusiness.’ took too him and were nobody else’s long to make so many.’
ANNA MARK SEWELL TWAIN
Would you be surprised to see a white rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat pocket?
ALICE’S ADVENTURE’S IN WONDERLAND LEWIS CARROLL Would you be surprised to see a white rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat pocket? It certainly seems a remarkable sight to Alice and, full of curiosity, she follows him down a rabbit-hole into a very strange world. She meets a disappearing cat, plays croquet with a bad-tempered Queen, joins a mad Hatter’s tea party and becomes entangled in the case of some missing tarts. In Wonderland nothing but out-of-the-way things happen... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, a write-your-own nonsense verse and suggestions for further reading
9780099572923 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
LEWIS CARROLL
VINTAGE
♥♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦
LEWIS ‘One afternoon, when Bruno came CARROLL home from school, he was surprised to a few more interesting facts
♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠♥♣♦♠
♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥
find Maria, the family’s maid – who always kept her head bowed and never looked up from the carpet – standing in his bedroom, pulling all his belongings out of the wardrobe♠and packing them in Charles Lutwidge Dodgson always denied that he was Lewis four large crates, thehadthings Carroll towooden all but his closest friends. In even fact he even a pre-written letter that he sent in response to fan mail saying he’d hiddentheyathadthegot theback wrongthat person.belonged to ♦ him and were nobody else’s business.’ Lewis Carroll kept a diary throughout his adult life. However, Lewis Carroll loved to play games, including croquet, backgammon, billiards and chess. He also enjoyed making up card tricks and inventing mathematical and word puzzles. We can see his fondness for games in his Alice books: the royal family and their court in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are styled on a deck of cards and the entire structure of Through the Looking-Glass is based on the rules of chess.
several volumes of it are missing – all his diaries between the ages of 21 and 31 – and some pages have been torn out of the ones that do survive. This mystery remains unsolved to this day although some say the diaries were tampered with because they contained something that Lewis Carroll’s family did not want people to find out.
♣
It is hard to know for certain but it is believed that Lewis Carroll is the most quoted writer in the English language after Shakespeare and the Bible.
♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥ ANNA SEWELL
A brave and handsome horse meets with many adventures
BLACK BEAUTY ANNA SEWELL
Black Beauty is the prettiest young horse in the meadows, and spends many happy days under the apple trees with his friends Ginger and Merrylegs. But this easy life comes to an end when Beauty is sold and goes from farm to inn to cab horse in London, enduring rough treatment from foolish and careless masters. Beauty remains faithful, hardworking and full of spirit despite his trials, and through him we learn that all horses and humans alike deserve to be treated with kindness. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, information on horses and suggestions for further reading
9780099572930 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
ANNA SEWELL
VINTAGE
‘No ‘One doubt afternoon, a horse fair when is aBruno very amusing came
home placefrom to those school, whohehave was nothing surprisedtoto lose; find at Maria, any rate, the family’s there is plenty maid –towho see. Long alwaysstrings kept her of young head bowed horsesand out never of the looked country, up from fresh the fromcarpet the marshes; – standing andin droves his bedroom, of shaggy pulling little all Welsh his belongings ponies, no outhigher of thethan wardrobe Merrylegs; and packing and hundreds them in four of carthorses large wooden of allcrates, sorts, even somethe of them things he’d withhidden their long at thetails backbraided that belonged up, andto tied himwith andscarlet were nobody cord; and else’sa good business.’ many like myself, handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint.’ ANNA SEWELL
Nine-yearold Bruno has a lot of things on his mind
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS JOHN BOYNE Who is the ‘Fury’? Why did he make them leave their nice home in Berlin to go to ‘Out-With’ ? And who are all the sad people in striped pyjamas on the other side of the fence? The grown-ups won’t explain so Bruno decides there is only one thing for it – he will have to explore his new home alone. What he discovers is a new friend. A boy with the very same birthday. A boy in striped pyjamas. But why can’t they ever play together? BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, things to think about and suggestions for further reading
9780099572862 £6.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
JOHN BOYNE
VINTAGE
‘One afternoon, when Bruno came
home from school, he was surprised to find Maria, the family’s maid – who always kept her head bowed and never looked up from the carpet – standing in his bedroom, pulling all his belongings out of the wardrobe and packing them in four large wooden crates, even the things he’d hidden at the back that belonged to him and were nobody else’s business.’
ANNA JOHN SEWELL BOYNE
This is Christopher’s murder mystery story
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME MARK HADDON There are also no lies in this story because Christopher can’t tell lies. Christopher does not like strangers or the colours yellow or brown or being touched. On the other hand, he knows all the countries in the world and their capital cities and every prime number up to 7507. When Christopher decides to find out who killed the neighbour’s dog, his mystery story becomes more complicated than he could have ever predicted. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, things to think about and suggestions for further reading
9780099572831 £7.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
MARK HADDON
VINTAGE
‘It was 7 minutes after midnight. The dog was lying on the grass in the middle of the lawn in front of Mrs Shears’ house. Its eyes were closed. It looked as if it was running on its side, the way dogs run when they think they are chasing a cat in a dream. But the dog was not running or asleep. The dog was dead. There was a garden fork sticking out of the dog. The points of the fork must have gone all the way through the dog and into the ground because the fork had not fallen over. I decided that the dog was probably killed with the fork because I could not see any other wounds in the dog and I do not think you would stick a garden fork into a dog after it had died for some other reason, like cancer for example, or a road accident. But I could not be certain about this.’ MARK HADDON
A hair-raising chase across Berlin to catch a dirty rotten thief...
EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES ERICH KÄSTNER Emil is excited. He is taking the train on his own for the first time. He doesn’t like the look of his fellow passenger – the man in the bowler hat – but all he has to do is keep his wits about him and his money in his pocket. But Emil falls asleep and when he wakes up the man in the bowler hat is gone – and so is the money! It is enough to make anyone cry! Not Emil Tischbein though. He teams up with a gang of young detectives and sets off in pursuit of the thief. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, a test your detective powers and suggestions for further reading
9780099572848 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
ERICH K ÄSTNER
VINTAGE
I dare say you have often thought about what you would do if you were granted three wishes ANNA SEWELL
FIVE CHILDREN AND IT E. NESBIT The five children – Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother – had often talked about what they might do with three wishes, but when they are faced with the grumpy sand-fairy they find it difficult to make up their minds. And that is just the beginning of their dilemmas. As they discover, there is nothing quite like a wish for getting you into terrible trouble. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, what would you wish for and suggestions for further reading
9780099572985 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
E. NESBIT
VINTAGE
‘The children stood round the hole in a ring, looking at
the creature they had found. It was worth looking at. Its eyes were on long horns like a snail’s eyes, and it could move them in and out like telescopes; it had ears like a bat’s ears, and its tubby body was shaped like a spider’s and covered with thick soft fur; its legs and arms were furry too, and it had hands and feet like a monkey’s. “What on earth is it?” Jane said. “Shall we take it home?” The thing turned its long eyes to look at her, and said: “Does she always talk nonsense, or is it only the rubbish on her head that makes her look silly?” ’
E. NESBIT
This is the diary of Cassandra Mortmain, which tells of her extraordinary family and their crumbling castle home
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE DODIE SMITH Cassandra’s father was once a famous writer, but now he mainly reads detective novels while his family slide into genteel poverty. Her sister Rose is bored and beautiful, and desperate to marry riches. Their stepmother Topaz has the habit of striding through the countryside wearing only her wellington boots. But all their lives will soon be transformed by the arrival of new neighbours from America, and Cassandra finds herself falling in love... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, things to think about, a quotations quiz and suggestions for further reading
9780099572886 £7.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
DODIE SMITH
VINTAGE
‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.
That is, my feet are in it; the rest of me is on the draining-board, which I have padded with our dog’s blanket and the tea-cosy. I can’t say that I am really comfortable, and there is a depressing smell of carbolic soap, but this is the only part of the kitchen where there is any daylight left. And I have found that sitting in a place where you have never sat before can be inspiring – I wrote my very best poem while sitting on the hen-house.’ DODIE SMITH
Can Mowgli defeat the ferocious hungry tiger Shere Khan?
THE JUNGLE BOOK RUDYARD KIPLING When Father Wolf and Mother Wolf find a man-cub in the jungle, they anger the greedy tiger Shere Khan by refusing to surrender it to his jaws, and rear the child as their own. But when little Mowgli grows up, the pack can no longer defend him. He must learn the secret of fire, and with the help of his friends Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, he faces his nemesis at last. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, zoo activities and suggestions for further reading
9780099573029 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
RUDYARD KIPLING
VINTAGE
Who’s Who in
The Jungle Book? WHY DO WOLVES RUN IN A PACK? Wolves naturally live and hunt together in family groups. They are fast, brave animals, but not heavy or large, so when hunting a big animal such as an antelope it makes sense to have some help! Usually one male wolf, like Akela, the largest, fiercest and strongest wolf of them all, will lead the pack. Akela is also wise and experienced in the ways of men. Mother Wolf and Father Wolf live apart from the pack as they have young cubs – the little Mowgli’s helplessness appeals to Mother Wolf’s maternal instincts, but she shows she can also be ferocious when she confronts Shere Khan. WHAT TYPE OF BEAR IS BALOO? Kipling says that Baloo is a ‘sleepy brown bear’. But brown bears aren’t usually found in Indian jungles, so it’s likely that Baloo is a sloth bear. Sloth bears have long shaggy black fur, grey faces and floppy ears. Bagheera calls Baloo ‘Old Iron feet’ and perhaps this is referring to the large blunt claws which sloth bears use for digging out insects and roots to eat. ‘Sloth’ can also mean ‘sleepy’, but although Baloo may be old he is very wise in the ways of the Jungle, and an excellent friend to Mowgli. WHAT IS THE ‘BANDAR-LOG’? ‘Bandar’ means monkey, but ‘log’ means human. By giving them this title, the Jungle-People are drawing a parallel between the Monkey-folk and their descendants – so when Baloo tells Mowgli of how the monkeys ‘boast and chatter and pretend they are a great people’ or how they start furious battles over nothing, it doesn’t reflect well on us humans! There are tens of thousands of monkeys all over India. They even live in big cities, where they cause havoc by stealing food, snapping power cables and running through offices and homes. They even pick pockets! Clearly today’s urban monkeys are no better behaved than the Bandar-log of The Jungle Book. WHAT IS A MONGOOSE AND ARE THEY ALL AS BRAVE AS RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI? A mongoose looks a lot like a weasel, with a long body and pointed face and little round ears. But in fact they are more closely related to hyenas, and nothing to do with geese at all. Indian mongooses are well-known for their ability to take on snakes with their sharp little teeth and agile movements, and they aren’t afraid of poisonous cobras because of their thick coat, and a certain chemical resistance to types of venom.
ANNA SEWELL
Father is away fighting in the Civil War…
LITTLE WOMEN LOUISA MAY ALCOTT Christmas won’t be the same this year for Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as their father is away fighting in the Civil War, and the family has fallen on hard times. But though they may be poor, life for the four March sisters is rich with colour, as they play games, put on wild theatricals, make new friends, argue, grapple with their vices, learn from their mistakes, nurse each other through sickness and disappointments, and get into all sorts of trouble. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a personality quiz, an author biog and background and suggestions for further reading
9780099572961 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
VINTAGE
Who are you? Which of the four March girls do you most resemble? Take this quick quiz to find out! 1) It’s Sunday and all the chores are done. How do you use your spare time?
3) You’ve been invited to a fashionable party. How do you react?
a) B y sewing bows and ribbons on to your best bonnet, in keeping with the latest fashions. b) Y ou shut yourself away in the attic and write wonderful stories of dastardly knights and damsels in distress, until your fingers are covered in ink. c) You’ll sketch, or perhaps try and pinch your nose into a better shape. d) A fter playing with your stray kittens and dolls and making sure they are comfortable, you’ll practise your sisters’ favourite tunes on the piano.
a) How exciting! But oh, whatever will you wear? Your old dress will look so dowdy compared to the silks and satins worn by the other girls. b) Hang parties! You don’t like to stand about and make small talk, you’d prefer to be off skating or running about like a boy, or still better, curled up with a good book. c) A party is the perfect place to demonstrate your fine manners and show off your perfect curls. d) Oh no, all those people! You’d much rather stay at home than spend one minute in a room full of frightening strangers.
2) You want to be good like Marmee, but sometimes it’s so hard! Which quality do you strive to conquer in yourself? a) Y ou envy other girls who have beautiful things you can’t afford, which makes you bitter and cross sometimes. b) Y our terrible temper leads to fights and harsh words with the people you love. c) You’re so used to being petted and looked after that you can’t stand it when you don’t get your own way. d) Y ou hate social situations, too timid to make new friends who might benefit from your kindness
4) You’re daydreaming about your castle in the air, what does it look like? a) your castle is a lovely house full of luxurious things, pretty clothes and lots of servants so you never have to work again. b) your castle is full of horses, books and inkstands, and there you’ll write of the marvellous deeds you’ve accomplished, whatever they might be. c) in your castle you’d be an artist in Rome, famous and admired for your fine pictures. d) your castle is your own home, with your family and friends all about you.
If you chose mostly A’s – you’re Meg, and you’ll always be admired for your mild and sweet temper as much as your pretty face. If you chose mostly B’s – you’re topsy turvy Jo, with a wild imagination, always ready for adventure and fun. If you chose mostly C’s – you’re Amy. If you chose mostly D’s – you’re Beth
The Darling children are tucked up in bed when Peter Pan bursts into their nursery...
PETER PAN J.M. BARRIE
Peter and his mischievous fairy Tinker Bell entice Wendy and her brothers to fly away with them to a magical world called Neverland. There you can swim with mermaids and play all day with the Lost Boys. But you must watch out for pirates, especially Captain Hook. And how do you find Neverland? Second on the right and straight on till morning of course... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a personality quiz, an author biog and background, activities (make a Peter Pan costume and a Wendy House) and suggestions for further reading
9780099573843 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
J.M. BARRIE
VINTAGE
INDOORS ACTIVITY:
Shh! Don’t tell Peter! Peter Pan has forbidden the Lost Boys to dress the least bit like him. But here’s how you can copy his distinctive costume. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • A GREEN OR BROWN T-SHIRT • GREEN OR BROWN TIGHTS, SHORTS OR TROUSERS • A BROWN BELT • ONE SHEET OF A BROADSHEET NEWSPAPER • A FEATHER
FIRST MAKE YOUR PETER PAN HAT: 1) Paint both sides of the newspaper green. Paint leaf shapes in green and brown if you like. Leave it to dry fully. Fold in half. 2) Place the folded sheet of newspaper in front of you with the folded side furthest away from you. 3) Take the two corners of the folded edge and fold them downwards and into the centre of the paper. Flatten down the folds. Your newspaper should now be this shape. 4) Take the bottom edge and fold upwards to form a rectangle. Flatten the fold. Turn the paper over and do the same again on the other side. Your newspaper should now be this shape. 5) Staple your feather inside the rim of the hat so that it sticks out at the back.
Now get dressed in your t-shirt and tights (or whatever you have) and loop your belt around your waist, on top of your t-shirt. Put on your hat and fly home to Neverland!
They were not railway children to begin with
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN E. NESBIT When their Father mysteriously leaves home Roberta (everyone calls her Bobbie), Phyllis and Peter must move to a small cottage in the countryside with Mother. It is a bitter blow to leave their London home, but soon they discover the hills and valleys, the canal and of course, the railway. But with the thrilling rush and rattle and roar of the trains comes danger too. Will the brave trio come to the rescue? And most importantly, can they solve the disappearance of their Father? BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, things you didn’t know about trains and suggestions for further reading
9780099572992 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
E. NESBIT
VINTAGE
‘These three lucky children always had everything they
needed: pretty clothes, good fires, a lovely nursery with heaps of toys, and a Mother Goose wallpaper. They had a kind and merry nursemaid, and a dog who was called James and who was their very own. They also had a Father who was just perfect – never cross, never unjust, and always ready for a game. You will think that they ought to have been very happy. And so they were, but they did not know how happy till the pretty life in Edgecombe Villa was over and done with, and they had to live a very different life indeed...’
E.NESBIT
How one contrary girl discovered the most magical place imaginable…
The
Secret Garden
THE SECRET GARDEN FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT When Mary Lennox is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody says she is the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It is true, too. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary. But she is also horribly lonely. Then one day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years. And when a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a personality quiz, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, garden activities and suggestions for further reading
9780099572954 £6.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
VINTAGE
Ruth, Edek and Bronia are left alone to fend for themselves amid the rubble and ruins of their city ANNA SEWELL
THE SILVER SWORD IAN SERRAILLIER Ruth, Edek and Bronia are left alone to fend for themselves amid the rubble and ruins of their city. They meet a ragged orphan boy, Jan, who treasures a paper knife – a silver sword – which was entrusted to him by an escaped prisoner of war. The three children realise that the escapee was their father, the silver sword a message that he is alive and searching for them. Together with Jan they begin a dangerous journey across the battlefields of Europe to find their parents. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, a letter from the author’s daughter about the writing of the book, facts about the Second World War, make your own treasure box and suggestions for further reading 9780099572855 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
IAN SERRAILLIER
VINTAGE
QUIZ How well do you remember
THE SECRET SWORD?
Test your knowledge with our fiendish quiz. 1) Which of the following did Jan NOT keep in his wooden box? a) three dead fleas from the hairy chest of Bistro the chimpanzee b) a pen knife and a ball of string c) the buttons of a German’s uniform 2) What was the name of Jan’s cockerel? 3) Can you remember the name of the American soldier who drives the children into Switzerland in his truck? 4) How does Ruth keep the children occupied in Warsaw? 5) How do the children escape from the Burgomaster? 6) Can you name each of the three Belocki children in order of age starting with the youngest first? Extra difficult question: 7) What does Jan give to Ivan to say sorry? ANSWERS: 1 b)Pen knife and ball of string 2 Jimpy 3 Joe Wolski 4 She starts a school 5 Down the river in two canoes 6 Bronia, Ruth, Edek 7 A dead shrivelled up lizard
The perfect summer
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS ARTHUR RANSOME The Walker children – also known as Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-Seaman Titty, and Ship’s Boy Roger – set sail on the Swallow and head for Wild Cat Island. There they camp under open skies, swim in clear water and go fishing for their dinner. But their days are disturbed by the Blackett sisters, the fierce Amazon pirates. The Swallows and Amazons decide to battle it out, and so begins a summer of unforgettable discoveries and incredible adventures. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, background info on the setting, boats and the author, a code-cracking game and suggestions for further reading
9780099572794 £7.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
ARTHUR RANSOME
VINTAGE
Have you ever sailed in a boat or built a camp?
SWALLOWDALE ARTHUR RANSOME Have you caught trout and cooked it yourself? The four Swallows, John, Susan, Titty and Roger return to the lake full of such plans and they can’t wait to meet up with Nancy and Peggy, the Amazon Pirates. When the Swallow is shipwrecked and the Amazon’s fearsome great-aunt decides to make a visit their summer seems ruined. Then they discover a wonderful hidden valley and things take a turn for the better... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, background info on the setting, boats and the author, fascinating facts and suggestions for further reading
9780099572824 £7.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
ARTHUR RANSOME
VINTAGE
SWALLOWDALE
AMAZON TO THE SWALLOWS FROM THE PIRATES. . WE’LL WELCOME TO WILD CAT ISLAND NAT IVE ME AS SOON AS EVER WE CAN. UCK TOO. TROUBLE. CAPTAIN FLINT IS ST GREEN HAS T IT T Y REMEMBERED THE . FEATHERS? THESE ARE OUR LAST EVER! SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS FOR
THE NANCY BLACKETT, THE TERROR OF . PEGGY SEAS, CAPTAIN OF THE AMAZON BLACKETT, MATE. YOUR P.S. -WE’LL BE WATCHING FOR SMOKE. ARTHUR RANSOME
Fifteen men on the dead man’s chestYo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
TREASURE ISLAND ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON When young Jim Hawkins discovers a map showing the way to Captain Flint’s treasure, he and Squire Trelawney set sail on the Hispaniola to search for the gold. Little do they know that among their crew is the dastardly pirate Long John Silver. Silver has a devious plan to keep the gold all to himself. Can brave Jim outwit the most infamous pirate ever to sail the high seas? Will he escape from Treasure Island alive? BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, the truth about pirates and suggestions for further reading
9780099573036 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
R.L. STEVENSON
VINTAGE
Katy Carr is the longest girl that was ever seen
WHAT KATY DID SUSAN COOLIDGE She is all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. She tears her dress every day, hates sewing and doesn’t care a button about being called ‘good’. Her head is full of schemes and one day she plans to do something grand. But a great deal is to happen to Katy before that time comes... BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, how to make a pin cushion and suggestions for further reading
9780099573128 £7.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
SUSAN COOLIDGE
VINTAGE
SPLENDIFEROUS VOCABULARY FROM WHAT KATY DID! FOOLSCAP: Lined paper of a specific size (longer and fatter than A4) normally used in North America. INDIA-RUBBERS: Natural rubber used to rub out pencil, just like today. Katy also refers to India – rubbers to mean Wellington boots. SLATE: A thin, flat piece of rock that 19th-century school children wrote on with chalk – paper was expensive. PANTALETTES: Underwear to cover the legs, rather like pyjama bottoms, worn by women, girls and young boys. SASSAFRAS: A type of fragrant tree, native to North America. LUBIN’S EXTRACTS: A perfume made by the French perfume maker Lubin.
DAGUERREOTYPE: A very early type of photograph. TRUNDLE-BED: A single bed with another bed underneath that can slide out. BILIOUS: Sick, and prone to vomiting. CAMPHOR: Medicine that was once used to cure headaches and help people sleep. PORTE-MONNAIE: A little wallet for coins. CHROMO: A type of colour print, popular in the 19th century. PANNIER: An undergarment which contains stiff hoops to make the sides of a ladies’ dress appear wider.
“Ho! ho! I’m the Toad, the motor-car snatcher, the prison-breaker, the Toad who always escapes!”
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS KENNETH GRAHAME Tired of spring cleaning, Mole ventures above ground into the warm sunshine, and happens upon his friend Ratty. Together they picnic on the sparkling, burbling river, brave the sinister Wild Wood in wintertime to visit the bad-tempered Badger, and take to the open road in a caravan with dear, silly old Toad. But when Toad’s attention turns to motor cars, his reckless behaviour goes from bad to worse. Badger, Rat and Mole must save their friend from ruin, and Toad Hall from the clutches of the rascally Stoats and Weasels. BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, an author biog and background, exploring nature activities and suggestions for further reading
9780099572947 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
KENNETH GRAHAME
VINTAGE
Springtime!
WHEN MOLE RUNS AWAY FROM HIS UNDERGROUND HOME HE DISCOVERS THE WONDERS OF SPRINGTIME. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN A CITY OR IN DEEPEST COUNTRYSIDE, YOU CAN GET OUTDOORS AND SPOT THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF THE SEASONS CHANGING.
Look and li en to birds in your garden:
• The easiest bird to spot is the MAGPIE, with its black tail and hood and white chest. Magpies have a loud, harsh, clacking call, and are seen as villains because of their bullying behaviour. • BLUE TITS are tiny, pretty birds with blue hats and backs, yellow bellies and white cheeks. They sing a repetitive ‘see-see –hu-hu-hu-hu’. • GREAT TITS look similar to blue tits, but they are larger, with black caps, white cheeks and a distinctive black stripe running down their tummies. They sing ‘tee-cha, tee-cha, tee-cha’. • BLACKBIRDS have a gorgeous, deep, flutey song, best heard on sunny spring evenings. The males are easy to spot with their black plumage and bright yellow beaks. But look around because their mate won’t be far away, with dowdier, brown feathers. • You’ll identify the SONG THRUSH from the dark spots that speckle his sides and creamy belly and his brown back. The song thrush’s song is made up of a huge variety of phrases, each repeated two or three times in succession. The most musical of garden birds, the call of song thrushes has inspired many poets.
Can you go a little faster? Can you run?
THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE JOAN AIKEN Long ago, at a time in history that never happened, England was overrun with wolves. But as Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia discover, real danger often lies closer to home. Their new governess, Miss Slighcarp, doesn’t seem at all nice. She shuts Bonnie in a cupboard, fires the faithful servants and sends the cousins far away from Willoughby Chase to a place where they will never be found. Can Bonnie and Sylvia outwit the wicked Miss Slighcarp and her network of criminals, forgers and snitches? BACKSTORY: a ‘who’s who’ guide to characters, a quiz about the book, the truth about wolves, travel in Victorian times, activities, a personality quiz and suggestions for further reading
9780099572879 £5.99 August 2012
CLASSICS
JOAN AIKEN
VINTAGE
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www.worldofstories.co.uk LAUNCHING AUGUST 2012 A brand new website designed for 8 – 12 year old bookworms Start by creating your own character, then choose a special box to keep your treasures in and start exploring! Featuring six worlds filled with the best stories. Within each world you will: • find inspiration for your next book choice with recommendations and lots of extra content about books and authors • discover more about your favourite books • download lots of activities and images around the story of your choice – quizzes, ‘why don’t you’ sheets, games, special wallpapers and much more • find out the latest news on forthcoming books and hear from your favourite authors • enter fantastic competitions including the chance to see your work in print And for the parents – lots of interesting information and inspiration on what to read and encourage your child to read next
9780099577188
www.worldofstories.co.uk