This treasury of over fifty stories, verses and songs range from Advent through the twelve days of Christmas, ending with the flight to Egypt. The authors draw on their lifelong experience as Waldorf kindergarten educators, storytellers, puppeteers and as mothers to share these magical stories. They tell their favourite Christmas stories simply and profoundly. These stories will both delight young children, and invite parents to become more confident storytellers.

Purchase one of 1st World Library's Classic Books and help support our free internet library of downloadable eBooks. Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG - - When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It was true, too. She had a little thin face and a little thin body, thin light hair and a sour expression. Her hair was yellow, and her face was yellow because she had been born in India and had always been ill in one way or another. Her father had held a position under the English Government and had always been busy and ill himself, and her mother had been a great beauty who cared only to go to parties and amuse herself with gay people. She had not wanted a little girl at all, and when Mary was born she handed her over to the care of an Ayah, who was made to understand that if she wished to please the Mem Sahib she must keep the child out of sight as much as possible. So when she was a sickly, fretful, ugly little baby she was kept out of the way, and when she became a sickly, fretful, toddling thing she was kept out of the way also. She never remembered seeing familiarly anything but the dark faces of her Ayah and the other native servants, and as they always obeyed her and gave her her own way in everything, because the Mem Sahib would be angry if she was disturbed by her crying, by the time she was six years old she was as tyrannical and selfish a little pig as ever lived. The young English governess who came to teach her to read and write disliked her so much that she gave up her place in three months, and when other governesses came to try to fill it they always went away in a shorter time than the first one. So if Mary had not chosen to really want to know how to read books she would never have learned her letters at all.

A beautifully illustrated and magical classic about the power of wishes for readers aged 7+ "Ideal for newly confident readers." The Independent "A story full of wishes and a big dollop of magic." Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear “Full of wonder and magic.” Abi Elphinstone "An enchanting story - with fun twists and turns - that is sure to warm your heart." Aisha Bushby "A fun and original adventure with a zing of magic." L.D. Lapinski Wanted! A wishkeeper's apprentice. When Felix makes a very special wish, he doesn't expect to be offered a job as an apprentice to wishkeeper Rupus Beewinkle. Now Felix must save the town's wishes from the wishsnatcher, who wants to destroy hopes and dreams everywhere. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Rachel Sanson. PRAISE FOR THE WISHKEEPER'S APPRENTICE “Full of wonder and magic.” Abi Elphinstone "Charming and magical, with shades of E Nesbit." Editor's Choice, The Bookseller "An enchanting story - with fun twists and turns - that is sure to warm your heart." Aisha Bushby "A fun and original adventure with a zing of magic." L.D. Lapinski "Supremely charming." Carlie Sorosiak "Imaginative, heart-warming... A magical tale." A.F. Steadman “Plenty of dialogue and chapter imagery to keep newly independent readers encouraged.” – Irish Examiner

Meet Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger in this timeless adventure that has enchanted generations of children. This beloved childhood classic by Kenneth Grahame is now available in a stunning gift book edition with dazzling new art. One spring day, Mole peers out from his underground home to find a marvellous world awaits him. As the seasons pass, he picnics on the riverbank with Ratty, accompanies Toad on a chaotic caravan adventure, and even braves the snowy depths of the fearsome Wild Wood in search of Badger. But when Toad's mischievous ways finally land him in trouble, can his friends come to his rescue and recapture Toad Hall from a gang of sneaky stoats and wheedling weasels? The hilarious and heart-warming adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad are brought to life for a new generation in this enchanting abridgement, accompanied by Kate Hindley's vibrant and appealing artwork. Discover more beautiful gift books in the Nosy Crow Classics range including The Secret Garden, Heidi, The Velveteen Rabbit, and Peter Pan. With sumptuous details including cloth binding, foil cover, full colour illustrations throughout, textured paper jacket, ribbon marker and head and tail bands.

A complete collection of much loved Irish fairy tales, myths and legends, bound into a beautiful new edition. Enjoy the rich mythical history of Ireland from the arrival of the Tuatha De Danann on the island and their great battles with the Fomorians right up to the modern day fairytales of Irish storytelling. Including the Ulster Cycle, and the Fenian Cycle, the book features heroes such as Cuchulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and many traditional favourites such as The Children of Lir. Bringing together 18 favourite Irish fairy tales, myths and legends Beautiful new edition of enduring and much-loved Celtic classics Lovely shiny foil highlights on the cover make this a perfect gift

When Jane Eyre becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, she falls in love with her mysterious employer, Mr. Rochester. But he hides a terrible secret that threatens to drive them apart... Clearly written in a modern, approachable style, this beautiful retelling of the classic story includes informative notes on both the author and the original text.

Celebrate all things Ravenclaw with this glorious collection of beautifully crafted House Editions in hardback. The sumptuously foiled presentation case emblazoned with the Ravenclaw eagle contains all seven novels from J.K. Rowling's classic series in a spectacular alternating colour scheme, with cover artwork and illustrations by artistic wizard and Kate Greenaway Medal winner Levi Pinfold. Home to the wise, Ravenclaw house has produced some of the most famous witches and wizards in history, including Luna Lovegood and Filius Flitwick. The seven lovingly designed covers are individually decorated with enchanting details that capture favourite house themes from each novel. Charming vignettes of the Ravenclaw eagle in a series of playful poses across the seven book spines complete the decoration scheme. An exclusive artwork print depicting house founder Rowena Ravenclaw wearing the Ravenclaw diadem makes for a highly collectable keepsake. The seven books in this collection are accompanied by a magical miscellany of exciting feature articles, quizzes and fascinating fact files packed with trivia about the history and alumni of Ravenclaw house - ideal to dip into and enjoy time and time again. More than twenty exclusive illustrations capture the magic of Ravenclaw house and favourite characters - Luna Lovegood, Professor Trelawney, Cho Chang, Gilderoy Lockhart, Filius Flitwick and many more ... A must-have collection for Ravenclaws young and old, this Ravenclaw House Editions box set is the perfect tribute to the house famed for its wit, learning and wisdom and is sure to be treasured for years to come.

Cymbeline is a play by William Shakespeare, set in Ancient Britain (part of the play is set in the area corresponding to Wales) and based on legends concerning the early Celtic British King Cunobeline. Although listed as a tragedy in the First Folio, modern critics often classify Cymbeline as a romance. Like Othello and The Winter's Tale, it deals with the themes of innocence and jealousy. While the precise date of composition remains unknown, the play was certainly produced as early as 1611. Imogen (or Innogen), daughter of the British king Cymbeline, is in love with Posthumus Leonatus, a man raised in her father's court who is described as possessing exceeding personal merit and martial skill. The two have secretly married, exchanging jewellery as tokens: a ring from Imogen, a bracelet from Posthumus. Cymbeline has discovered the affair and banishes Posthumus for his presumption, for Imogen is currently Cymbeline's only child and so her husband is heir to the British throne. Cymbeline did have two sons before Imogen, Guiderius and Arviragus, but they were stolen twenty years before as infants by Belarius, a courtier banished as a traitor for supposedly conspiring with the Romans. Cymbeline is a vassal king of Caesar Augustus, and Caius Lucius, a Roman ambassador, is on his way to demand the tribute that Cymbeline, under the influence of his wife the Queen, has stopped paying. The Queen is conspiring to have Cloten, her cloddish and arrogant son by an earlier marriage, married to Imogen. The Queen also is plotting to murder both Imogen and Cymbeline to secure Cloten's kingship, and to that end has procured what she believes to be deadly poison from the court doctor, Cornelius; Cornelius, however, suspects the Queen's malice and switches the "poison" with a drug that will cause the imbiber's body to mimic death for a while before reviving. Imogen meanwhile secludes herself in her chambers, resisting entreaties that she come forth and marry Cloten. Posthumus flees to Italy to the house of his friend Philario/Filario, where he meets Iachimo/Giacomo. Posthumus waxes at length on Imogen's beauty and chastity, and Iachimo challenges him to a bet that he, Iachimo, can seduce Imogen and bring Posthumus proof of her adultery. If he wins, Iachimo will get Imogen's ring from Posthumus's finger. If Posthumus wins, not only must Iachimo pay him but also consent to a sword duel so that Posthumus may avenge his and Imogen's affronted honour. Iachimo heads to Britain where he aggressively attempts to seduce the faithful Imogen, who sends him packing. Iachimo then hides in a chest in Imogen's bedchamber and, when the princess falls asleep, emerges to steal from her Posthumus's bracelet. He also examines the room and Imogen's partly naked body for further proof. Returning to Italy, Iachimo convinces Posthumus that he has successfully seduced Imogen. In his wrath, Posthumus sends two letters to Britain: one to Imogen, telling her to meet him at Milford Haven, on the west coast of Wales; the other to Pisanio, Posthumus's servant left behind at court, ordering him to murder Imogen at the Haven. On the way the anguished Pisanio instead shows his letter to Imogen, revealing Posthumus's plot. He has Imogen disguise herself as a boy and continue to Milford Haven to seek employment. He also gives her the Queen's "poison," believing it will alleviate nausea from distemper and motion sickness. Imogen adopts the name "Fidele," meaning "faithful."

This beloved classic tale is now available in an exclusive collector's edition, featuring beautiful cover art from artist Laci Fowler and decorative interior pages, making it ideal for fiction lovers and book collectors alike. Delighting readers for more than 120 years, this time-honored classic is now available as an exclusive collector's edition. Whether you're buying it as a gift or for yourself, this remarkable edition features: A beautiful, high-end hardcover featuring Laci Fowler's distinctive hand-painted art Decorative interior pages featuring pull quotes throughout Matching ribbon marker and gold page edges Part of a 4-volume collection including Frankenstein, The Great Gatsby, and The Return of Sherlock Holmes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz follows Kansas farmgirl Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as a violent cyclone transports them to a faraway magical place called Oz, land of the Munchkins and witches. To make it home, Dorothy dons her famous slippers and must follow the Yellow Brick Road to seek help from the Great Wizard in the Emerald City. Soon she is joined by the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, each on his own unique quest for a better self. Exploring the time-honored themes of good versus evil, the beauty of friendship, the value of self-sufficiency, and why home is where the heart is, this unique collector's edition presents L. Frank Baum's beloved tale of otherworldly adventures in a giftable new way.

'Dat gold bug was a vicious bug. Massa caught it first but it bit him. I think da bite has made Massa poorly. It has affected him in da head.' William Legrand has found a new type of bug, a golden bug, unusually heavy. His servant, Jupiter, is worried. Why is Legrand behaving so oddly? Has the bug's bite made him mad? When Legrand shows his friend a drawing of the gold bug, it looks more like a skull. What can this mean? The arrival of the gold bug leads the three men on an exciting adventure towards skeletons, a skull and a hunt for buried treasure. Should we believe Jupiter's superstitious fears, or is there a more logical explanation of events? If there is, can you, the reader, discover it? Real Reads are accessible texts designed to support the literacy development of primary and lower secondary age children while introducing them to the riches of our international literary heritage. Each book is a retelling of a work of great literature from one of the world's greatest cultures, fitted into a 64-page book, making classic stories, dramas and histories available to intelligent young readers as a bridge to the full texts, to language students wanting access to other cultures, and to adult readers who are unlikely ever to read the original versions.

Beloved by generations, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little are two of the most cherished stories of all time. Now, for the first time ever, these treasured classics are available in lavish new collectors' editions. In addition to a larger trim size, the original black-and-white art by Garth Williams has been lovingly colorized by renowned illustrator Rosemary Wells, adding another dimension to these two perfect books for young and old alike.

Whether you are returning once again to visit with Wilbur, Charlotte, and Stuart, or giving the gift of these treasured stories to a child, these spruced-up editions are sure to delight fans new and old. The interior design has been slightly moderated to give the books a fresh look without changing the original, familiar, and beloved format. Garth Williams's original black-and-white line drawings for the jacket of Stuart Little have also been newly colorized by the celebrated illustrator Rosemary Wells. These classics return with a new look, but with the same heartwarming tales that have captured readers for generations.

'Travel, change, interest, excitement!' One day Mole pokes his nose out of his burrow and discovers that the world is an exciting place. He meets brave Ratty, kind old Badger and the rascally Mr Toad, and together they go adventuring . . . The Wind in the Willows is a classic animal adventure that charms and enthrals. This edition contains the original full-colour illustrations by E H Shepard, a partnership that has never been bettered.

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. Tom tucked a blanket round him, drew up a chair by the fire and watched Willie fall asleep. The tales he had heard about evacuees didn't seem to fit Willie. 'Ungrateful' and 'wild' were the adjectives he had heard used, or just plain 'homesick'. He was quite unprepared for this timid, sickly little specimen. Britain, 1940. With World War Two raging all around, young children are being sent from their homes in the city to the countryside for safety. When eight-year-old Willie Beech first arrives on Tom Oakley's doorstep, neither are quite sure what to make of each another. Brought up in terrible poverty, Willie is terribly shy, and totally unprepared for village life - but the gruff-but-gentle 'Mister Tom' quickly takes him under his wing. Neither he nor Willie could ever have predicted the journey they will go on together - nor the unbreakable bond that will be formed. Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, and rightly hailed as a true classic of children's literature, Goodnight Mister Tom is a beautifully told, deeply moving story about the power of friendship, kindness, hope - and love. 'Everyone's idea of a smash-hit novel: full-blown characters to love and hate, moments of grief and joy, and a marvellous story that knows just how to grab the emotions' - Guardian

A book of love and friendship - the perfect gift for Paddington Bear fans! This uplifting collection of inspiring - often hilarious - quotes reveals the extraordinary impact that Paddington Bear has on everyone he meets, and just how much they love him . . . even if there are a few well-intended mishaps to take into account!