'Walter Trier's deceptively innocent drawings are as classic as Kastner's words; I never tire of them' Quentin Blake Martin's school is no ordinary school. There are snowball fights, kidnappings, cakes, a parachute jump, a mysterious man called 'No-Smoking' who lives in a railway carriage and a play about a flying classroom. As the Christmas holidays draw near, Martin and his friends - nervous Uli, cynical Sebastian, Johnny, who was rescued by a sea captain, and Matthias, who is always hungry (particularly after a meal) - are preparing for the end-of-term festivities. But there are surprises, sadness and trouble on the way - and a secret that changes everything. The Flying Classroom is a magical, thrilling and bittersweet story about friendship, fun and being brave when you are at your most scared. (It also features a calf called Eduard, but you will have to read it to find out why.) Erich Kastner, writer, poet and journalist, was born in Dresden in 1899. His first children's book, Emil and the Detectives, was published in 1929 and has since sold millions of copies around the world and been translated into around 60 languages. After the Nazis took power in Germany, Kastner's books were burnt and he was excluded from the writers' guild. He won many awards, including the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1960. He died in 1974. Walter Trier was born in Prague in 1880. In 1910 he moved to Berlin, where he would later be introduced to Kastner, and began his career drawing cartoons for the Berliner Illustrated. He also contributed to the satirical weekly Simplicissimus, where during the 1920s, despite great personal risk, he ridiculed Hitler and the Nazi Party in a series of cartoons. In 1936 he fled to London, where he was involved in producing anti-Nazi leaflets and political propaganda drawings. He would go on to have a rich career, producing around 150 covers for the humorous magazine Lilliput. He died in 1951 in Ontario, Canada. Anthea Bell is an award-winning translator. Having studied English at Oxford University, she has had a long and successful career, translating works from French, German and Danish. She is best known for her translations of the much-loved Asterix books, Stefan Zweig and W.G. Sebald.

It's never too soon to share your favourite classics with the next generation... This edition of The Adventures of Pinocchio has been adapted for younger readers and features: - Simplified Text - A child-friendly layout, designed for young readers - Full-colour illustrations by award-winning artist Robert Ingpen. The exuberant young scamp Pinocchio ignores the advice of his kindly father and sets off into the world in search of adventure. Along the way he encounters many remarkable characters - including the nefarious Fox and Cat, a wise-talking cricket and a beautiful azure-haired fairy - and lurches from one predicament to another. By the end of the book, this wilful wooden hero finally learns his lesson and obtains his heart's desire - becoming a real boy. A full-colour illustrated edition of one of the world's best-loved stories.

Having been condemned to death by the Spanish Inquisition, the narrator descends into a kind of hell. Dizzy with weakness and fainting with fear, he experiences such torments that death itself would be welcome. What troubles him most is the eternal question: how will he die? Toledo Prison is notorious for the torture of the condemned. What minds have dreamed up the terror of the pit in the centre of the cell? What is the significance of the painted figure of Time with his menacing pendulum? Why do the walls glow with heat?Experience with the narrator the intensity of his suffering when death seems inevitable but its form uncertain. Can anything, or anybody help him?

From the classic adventure by Robert Louis Stevenson. An old sailor comes to stay at Jim Hawkins' quiet inn. One night a terrifying visitor arrives, and Jim escapes with a mysterious map. His friend Squire Trelawney fits out a ship - but can the crew, even the friendly Long John Silver, be trusted? The Usborne English Readers series is a new range of graded readers in simplified English for younger learners. They include activities, glossaries and a full audio recording of the text in both British English and American English. Illustrations: Full colour throughout

A classic collection of tales to tell children of about four, featuring beloved characters and lively stories, by Michael Bond, Jill Barklem, Anne Fine amongst others, chosen by children's book expert, Julia Eccleshare. Paddington Bear has a magical moment, the animals of Brambly Hedge are struggling at the dusty mill: Lara's godmother sorts out a noisy lion and Rapunzel is rescued from the tower... These classic stories are wonderful to share and enjoy with your child at any time of the year, or would make the perfect birthday gift.

Meet Hally Tosis, a knee-slappingly funny dog that will take your breath away in this full-colour sturdy board book by Dav Pilkey! Hally the dog has horrible breath. Even the skunks avoid her. So when Mr and Mrs Tosis decide enough is enough and try to find a new home for Hally, the Tosis kids hatch a plan to get rid of Hally's bad breath so they can keep her. They try everything: a breathtaking view, Breath of a Salesman and even a speedy rollercoaster, but nothing works. That is until some unwelcome visitors need to be put in their place...and luckily Hally is there to save the day! Children will want to read this hilarious book over and over again. From Dav Pilkey, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series This is the board book edition of one of Dav Pilkey's bestselling picture book, Dog Breath The perfect book to encourage children's imagination and creativity

Books five through eight of the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series are now available in one adorably purr-fect collection! Join Itty Bitty Princess Kitty on her charming adventures as she competes in the Lollyland Cloud Race, helps a friend find her true fairy calling, visits Prince Pip in Wagmire, and meets a new friend who wants to be just like her this delightful four-book collection! With easy-to-read language and illustrations on every page, the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty chapter books are perfect for emerging readers. This charming four-book collection includes: The Cloud Race The Un-Fairy Welcome to Wagmire The Copycat

Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Prospero and his daughter Miranda are stranded on a lonely desert island when a magical storm washes a royal ship ashore. Prospero finally has the chance to right old wrongs but can he conjure up a happy ending? Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. With links to recommended websites for children to find out more about Shakespeare and the play.

Animal Farm by George Orwell - Annotation Edition. This annotation edition of Orwell's well-known satire is perfect for students and Orwell enthusiasts alike. Scholastic Annotation Editions come with extra wide margins and double spaced lines, they are perfect for your annotations. They include: Large spaces between lines and large outer margins, perfect for highlighting and note-taking. Pages for note-taking in every book. A large, easy to read font and left-justified text for children who struggle to access the printed word. Top tips on effective annotation from English teacher and revision guide author, Cindy Torn. When the ill-treated animals of Manor Farm rebel against their master Mr Jones and take over the farm, they start to believe in a life of freedom and equality for all. But slowly, the egocentric and ruthless Napoleon takes control and the animals are subjected to force and violence from the corrupt elite - the pigs. As one dictator is replaced with another, the idea of fairness and equality or all becomes a distant memory. Class, equality, power and control are some of the themes that run throughout this novel. Scholastic have a full suite of revision guide, study guide, app, student book, revision cards and essay planners - the most comprehensive support for GCSE set texts available!

An adapted and illustrated edition of Jane Austen's romantic classic - at an easy-to-read level for all ages! All Catherine wants is to be like the heroines in the books she reads. On her first trip away from home, she finally gets her chance. A new friendship and a growing love lead her to the spooky Northanger Abbey. There Catherine will find that a little imagination can cause a lot of trouble. About Jane Austen Children's Stories: From the gardens of Pemberley to the spooky halls of Northanger Abbey, join some of literature's most iconic heroines on their path to self-discovery and true love. An adaptation of Jane Austen's famous stories, illustrated to introduce children aged 7+ to the classics.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was a sensation upon its publication in 1852. In its first year it sold 300,000 copies, and has since been translated into more than twenty languages. This powerful story of one slave's unbreakable spirit holds an important place in American history, as it helped solidify the anti-slavery sentiments of the North, and moved a nation to civil war.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. Animal Farm tells the story of a rebellion and how it goes wrong. The animals' lives on the farm are terrible - there is not enough food, the work is hard, and animals are dying. One day, the animals kick out the farmer and start to run the farm. Soon, a group of animals - the pigs - becomes more and more important, but things are not better for most of the animals. Life for them is the same as before.

The magical and brilliantly funny adventures of everyone's favourite flat boy - Flat Stanley. With wonderful new illustrations by the award-winning author/illustrator Rob Biddulph. Magical things always happen to Stanley Lambchop ... Stanley can't believe it when he finds a genie inside a teapot. He can have anything he wants! But everyone else wants a turn - and the wishes are causing chaos! Can he put things right before he runs out of wishes? Jeff Brown's world-famous character Flat Stanley continues to charm half a century after he first found his way into print. Jeff Brown was a story editor and assistant film producer in Hollywood. He worked on the at The New Yorker and the Saturday Evening Post, and his stories appeared in these magazines and many others. Jeff created the classic character Flat Stanley, whose adventures have been beloved by children around the world for more than 50 years. He died in Manhattan in 2003. Rob Biddulph is a bestselling and award-winning children's book author and illustrator. He won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Blown Away and was nominated for the Kate Greenaway medal for GRRRRR! His other books include Odd Dog Out (Aug 2016) and Sunk! (March 2017).

Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton's most popular series. Five Go to Smuggler's Top The Five go to stay at the large, old house and have great fun discovering secret hiding places and underground tunnels. But who are the people signalling out to sea? And what do they want? Five Go Off in a Caravan A caravan holiday is bound to be an adventure! The Five soon get caught up with the circus crowd. But some of its members have more sinister plans than just clowning around... Five On Kirrin Island Again What is Uncle Quentin up to on Kirrin Island? He won't let anyone visit - not even the Five! But there's someone else on the island, watching his every move. The Five will have to act, after all. This 70th anniversary edition features the Classic editions of three Famous Five adventures (books 4-6) in one volume and contains the original cover art and inside drawings by Eileen Soper.

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. '...when the Green Dragon tore shrieking out of the mouth of its dark lair, which was the tunnel, all three children stood on the railing and waved their pocket-handkerchiefs without stopping to think whether they were clean handkerchiefs or the reverse.' When their father is mysteriously sent away, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis have to leave London with their mother to live in a cottage in the countryside. Finding comfort in the nearby railway station and friendship in Perks the Porter and the Station Master, the children watch every day for the passing London train. Every day they wave at the same old Gentleman on the train, not knowing that he may hold the key to their father's whereabouts.

This deluxe collector's edition of Tolkien's modern classic is boxed and bound in green leatherette with gold and red foil rune stamping on the spine and cover. The text pages are printed in black with green accents. It includes five full page illustrations in full color and many more in two color in addition to Thror's map -- all prepared by the author. J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition: "If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."

When Father goes away with two strangers one evening, the lives of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are shattered. They and their mother have to move from their comfortable London home to go and live in a simple country cottage, where Mother writes books to make ends meet. However, they soon come to love the railway that runs near their cottage, and they make a habit of waving to the Old Gentleman who rides on it. They befriend the porter, Perks, and through him learn railway lore and much else. They have many adventures, and when they save a train from disaster, they are helped by the Old Gentleman to solve the mystery of their father's disappearance, and the family is happily reunited.

Andersen's story of the Ugly Duckling, rejected and bullied, lonely and miserable until he realises his magnificent true nature, has become one of our most cherished tales of growing up and finding your place in the world. With fun activities after the story, and online audio in both British English and American English.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. Victor Frankenstein wants to make his own creature from stolen body parts. But when the creature is finished, Frankenstein is shocked by his creation and runs away. Lonely and angry, the creature plans to kill his maker and all the people that Frankenstein loves.

A beautiful hardback edition of the beloved children's classic BALLET SHOES, with a vibrant new cover - the perfect gift for all children's book or dance enthusiasts. BALLET SHOES is the story of Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil, three very different girls, each adopted as an orphaned baby by the eccentric explorer, Gum. All three girls are left in the care of Gum's niece Sylvia in London. At first, the girls lead privileged and sheltered lives. But after five years go by and Gum fails to return, Sylvia's money starts to run out. The multi-talented Fossil girls hit on an inspired idea: they will take to the stage. Posy, daughter of a ballerina, couldn't be happier than she is in dance classes or on stage. Pauline also loves to tread the boards as an actress, but Petrova would rather be dismantling engines in a garage. It's not long before all the Fossils learn that there's more to being a star than they thought. Originally published in 1936, Noel Streatfeild's BALLET SHOES is a beautiful story about growing up and loving the family you choose. It has stood the test of time and is adored by generations.

Including Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night's Dream, Graphic Shakespeare is a collection of illustrated Shakespeare classics retold as exciting and fast-paced graphic novels for young readers, a format which is particularly popular with reluctant readers. Straightforward narratives in modern English accompany key excerpts from Shakespeare's original dialogue, and difficult words and phrases are explained as they occur. A running glossary at the foot of each page helps young readers with any challenging vocabulary without disrupting their reading experience. Specially commissioned, full-colour, dramatic artwork faithfully respresents set-pieces from the plays, and brings excitement and atmosphere to the tales. Speech bubbles work with the main text to emphasise and enhance the retelling.

Poppie Viljoen is op pad na die Swartwoud Kinderhuis toe nadat eers haar ouma en toe haar oupa oorlede is. Sy is alleen. En al wat sy oorhet, is 'n viool wat al lank in die familie is. Van die oomblik dat sy by die kinderhuis aankom, hoor sy die gerugte oor spinnekoppe wat so groot is soos katte en oor die mensvreter-arende ... Poppie steur haar nie veel daaraan nie tot sy een aand voorgestel word aan professor Mancini, 'n pratende portret. Hy is eintlik 'n musiekonderwyser. Hy lei Poppie om te ontdek dat haar viool baie spesiaal is ... en dat die musiek van haar viool die krag het om mensvreter-arende se harte te verander sodat hulle uiteindelik weer mense word. Hierdie boeiende storie word pragtig vertel deur die bekroonde skrywer Jan Vermeulen. Die storie van Poppie Viool sal lesers herinner aan die krag van musiek en liefde!