Introduction and Notes by Dr Sally Minogue, Canterbury Christ Church University College. Jane Eyre ranks as one of the greatest and most perennially popular works of English fiction. Although the poor but plucky heroine is outwardly of plain appearance, she possesses an indomitable spirit, a sharp wit and great courage. She is forced to battle against the exigencies of a cruel guardian, a harsh employer and a rigid social order. All of which circumscribe her life and position when she becomes governess to the daughter of the mysterious, sardonic and attractive Mr Rochester. However, there is great kindness and warmth in this epic love story, which is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. Ultimately the grand passion of Jane and Rochester is called upon to survive cruel revelation, loss and reunion, only to be confronted with tragedy.

When orphaned Mary Lennox was sent off 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. Indeed, she was "Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary," through and through

Yet there was something strange about the place she was heading for. Said Mrs. Medlock to Mary beforehand, "Do you know anything about your uncle?"

"No," said Mary frowning. She frowned because she remembered how her father and mother had never talked to her about anything in particular.

"Humph," muttered Mrs. Medlock, staring at Mary's queer, unresponsive little face for a few moments. Then she said, "I suppose you might as well be told something, to prepare you. You are going to a rather queer place "

English-born American author Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) enjoyed international success with her 1886 novel "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Twenty-five years later she achieved even greater fame with "The Secret Garden, " one of the most beloved children's novels of all time.

Peep! Peep! All aboard with Thomas & Friends in this All Engines Go magnetic adventure! Toddlers can take a journey across the Island of Sodor and meet all the trains in this fun, magnetic book with 5 great scenes set on the Island of Sodor. Start the day at the Engine Sheds, visit the Farm and race down Lookout Mountain. Then create adventures of your own with the magnetic characters of Thomas, Percy, Kana, Nia, Diesel, Bruno, Sandy and Carly. Each of the 8 engines is a magnetic play piece that can be used again and again. The illustration on the front cover shows the magnets that are stored inside the book. This removes the need for a plastic holder on the front cover. There are hours of fun to be had and this is the perfect way to encourage children aged 3 and up to use their imagination and build a life-long love of books. Thomas has been teaching children lessons about life and friendship for over 75 years. He ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage and appeals to young fans of Paw Patrol, Fireman Sam and Peppa Pig.

One of the world's greatest writers is introduced to a new audience through this accessible retelling with lively illustrations. Marcia Williams first introduced a generation of children to the works of Charles Dickens through her masterful comic-strip retellings in Oliver Twist and Other Great Dickens Stories, with lifetime sales of over 125,000 copies. Now, she brings Dickens' beloved characters to a fresh audience with a new series of short novels. Meet Oliver, Fagin, Nancy and the Artful Dodger in this splendidly accessible adaptation of Oliver Twist, illustrated throughout in Marcia's lively style.

Big Brother is watching you . . . Under the all-seeing eye of Big Brother, Winston Smith spends his days in the Ministry of Truth, rewriting the past for the Party. Despite constant surveillance and the ever-present threat of repression, he starts to inwardly question the regime. A note from a colleague - 'I love you' - marks the beginning of a secret affair that breaks all the rules. But what will happen when they are found out? This classic dystopian novel is a vision of life under a totalitarian regime, where every thought or action could bring the Thought Police to the door . . . Now with a stunningly sinister cover by Nathan Burton.

A hilarious story of everyone’s favourite bear, Paddington – now a major movie star!

When Paddington goes to an outdoor painting exhibition he is inspired to work on his own masterpieces. And it’s not long before he sells some of his paintings to a mysterious art collector!

Stories of Paddington Bear have delighted children all over the world for more than sixty years.

A retelling of Disney The Little Mermaid, accompanied by art from the original Disney Studio artists. Collect the whole Animated Classics series! This beautiful hardback features premium cloth binding, a ribbon marker to match the cover, gold foil stamping and illustrated endpapers, making this the perfect gift for all those who have been enchanted by the magic of The Little Mermaid and a book to be treasured by all. A family favourite for over fifty years, Disney The Little Mermaid is one of the best-loved films of all time. Relive the magic through this retelling of the classic animated film, accompanied by paintings, sketches and concept art from the original Disney Studio artists. Also featured is a foreword by Brittney Lee, a visual development artist at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Turn to the back of the book to learn more about the artists who worked on this iconic animated film.

From master storyteller MICHAEL MORPURGO, and illustrated by the award-winning EMMA CHICHESTER CLARK, comes a surprising, charming and uplifting twist on The Wizard of Oz, told by a very special and unforgettable character: Dorothy’s pet dog, Toto. A perfect, collectible gift for all children (and children at heart).

“I was there,” Papa Toto said, and those magic words sent shivers down my spine. It was going to be the Wizard story. “Dorothy and me were both there.”
We were all silent, snuggled up together, waiting, waiting.
Then Papa Toto began…

When a twister descends on their Kansas farm, Toto and his owner Dorothy hide in the house – only to be plucked into the air and whisked away!

Coming down with a crash in the mysterious land of Oz, the pair meet a series of extraordinary characters: a scarecrow who believes he has no brains, a tin man without a heart, and a cowardly lion who may not be as cowardly as he thinks he is.

But Toto and Dorothy are desperate to return home – after all, home is home, and home is best! So they set off with their new friends on a journey down the yellow brick road to find the only person who might be able to help them: the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

But what they find might surprise them. And on the way, all of them will learn that what they think they are missing might have been there, all along…

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is an unforgettable telling of a classic story, and a must for every bookshelf.

Charged with action and suspense, yet profoundly spiritual, Kim vividly expresses the sounds and smells, colors and characters, opulence and squalor of complex, contradictory India under British rule. The book abounds in brilliant descriptions of Indian scenes and deeply sympathetic portraits of her people. Long recognized as Kipling's finest work, Kim was a key factor in his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. This new edition of Kipling's classic novel includes the biographical essay "Who was Rudyard Kipling?"

NOMINATED - CILIP KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. It's just an ordinary farm - until the animals revolt. They get rid of the irresponsible farmer. The other animals are sure that life is improving, but as systems are replaced and half-truths are retold, a new hierarchy emerges . . . Orwell's tale of propaganda, power and greed has never felt more pertinent. With an exciting new cover and inside illustrations by superstar Chris Mould.

An unforgettable friend returns in this warm and fantastically funny sequel to the bestselling debut Einstein the Penguin. Imogen and Arthur have been missing their friend, the penguin, Einstein, since he went back to Australia. So when an opportunity for him to return arises, they jump at the chance. But then Einstein and his friend Isaac are kidnapped. It’s time to turn detective again… ‘A delightful series’ The Bookseller

Classic Richard Scarry: Join Postman Pig as he delivers post across Busytown! Join Richard Scarry's beloved Postman Pig for a day of discovery and adventure! With deliveries to the police station, the doctor's office, the library and many more, young readers will see how those in their communities go about the day. This classic story is, indeed, a very special delivery. A beautifully produced Faber-Scarry publication. Praise for Richard Scarry: 'Awe-inspiring.' Dapo Adeola 'Treasure troves of detail.' Chris Mould 'A delight.' Sara Ogilvie 'What a talent.' David Tazzyman 'One of my favourite illustrators.' Allen Fatimaharan

"H.L. Mencken wrote of Mark Twain, 'I believe that he was the true father of our national literature, the first genuinely American artist of the blood royal.' Father, Mark Twain is. And brother, friend, and wise old grandpa. But no offense to Mr. Mencken: Sam'l Clemens is American and there ain't no royalty around here 'ceptin maybe the Duke or some one like that. Unless it's the "Prince and the Pauper" or King Arthur in "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

"Hank the Yankee asks, 'You know about transmigration of souls; do you know about transposition of epochs -- and bodies?'

"'Wit ye well, "I saw it done.'" Then, after a pause, added: 'I did it myself.'

"Just like Mark Twain -- Samuel Langhorne Clemens."

-- From Amy Sterling Casil's Introduction

The fun adventures and intriguing mysteries of the Bobbsey Twins can be found in a series of 72 children's novels. They were written under the pseudonym Laura Lee Hope between 1904 and 1979, with a separate series of 30 books published from 1987 through 1992. The stories tell of the adventures of two sets of fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six. This edition brings together in a single book the first fifteen stories: 1. The Bobbsey Twins, or Merry Days Indoors and Out, 1904 2. The Bobbsey Twins in the Country, 1907 3. The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore, 1907 4. The Bobbsey Twins at School, 1913 5. The Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge, 1913 6. The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat, 1915 7. The Bobbsey Twins at Meadow Brook, 1915 8. The Bobbsey Twins at Home, 1916 9. The Bobbsey Twins in a Great City, 1917 10. The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberrry Island, 1917 11. The Bobbsey Twins on the Deep Blue Sea, 1918 12. The Bobbsey Twins in Washington, 1919 13. The Bobbsey Twins in the Great West, 1920 14. The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp, 1921 15. The Bobbsey Twins at the County Fair, 1922 So enjoy, once again, these magnificent stories.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is the timeless children's story written by Lewis Carroll. Join Alice on her strange and wonderful adventures into the world of the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and the Hatter. This reproduction includes forty-two illustrations after John Tenniel. Charles Dodgson first told the story to Alice Liddell, age ten, and her two sisters on a picnic trip in 1862. She asked him to write it down for her and although it took him two and a half years, he gave her the finished story in 1864. Dodgson published the book a year later in 1865 under the pen name Lewis Carroll.

"I like "Joan of Arc" best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others need no preparation and got none." -- Mark Twain

Twain considered this book -- his last finished novel -- to be his most significant. Perhaps it is; certainly it's delightful -- but then, in retrospect, everything Twain did is good cause for delight.