A royal family is thrown into utter ruin by its own poisonous web of distrust, deceit and struggle for power. Shakespeare's tragedy is one unsurpassed power and depth. It follows the descent of the ageing King Lear into madness, perpetuated by his malevolent daughters Goneril and Regan who struggle to gain power over the kingdom. Having banished his favorite daughter Cordelia, a loving, compassionate and honest woman, when she refuses to partake in a competition of flattery, he sets in motion a catastrophic sequence of events that will ultimately destroy his sanity, family and kingdom. The lines between good and evil are faultlessly drawn in this exploration of filial ingratitude, injustice, avarice and love. In a time when swollen words, false pretexts and the struggle for power are again the order of the day the message of King Lear carries renewed significance.

Charles Dickens is probably the best-known and, to many people, the greatest English novelist of the nineteenth century. Since its publication in 1843, "A Christmas Carol" has been adapted for film, television, and the stage, proving that Dickens's characters and themes continue to captivate generation after generation.

When Lillie spends the summer in Wales with her family, she can’t help but feel like the baby of the group. Her big sister Frankie would rather spend time with their older cousin Lana than play with her, and no one else seems to notice how lonely she is.

Then during a boat trip Lillie spots a young dolphin swimming alongside them, and for a short while all her worries melt away. Later, when Frankie and Lana are particularly mean to her, Lillie decides to set off on her own in hopes of seeing the dolphin calf again…

This 15-book collection includes all the stories in The Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum. These beloved children's classics have fresh new covers that bring these timeless classics to a whole new generation.

When a grumbling volcano causes Moominvalley to flood, the Moomins escape by boat, finding refuge on a floating theatre. Adventures abound when the theatre casts adrift leaving Moomin,The Snorkmaiden and Little My marooned. Will they all be reunited before the final curtain?

Little Women, the charming story of the brave and resilient March sisters, has been adored by generations of readers who have identified with the struggles of kind and pretty Meg; gentle, delicate Beth; precocious, artistic Amy; and of course wild, tomboyish Jo, determined to forge her own path and become a writer. Follow the girls as they come of age during the American Civil War and fall in love with the story all over again in this retelling by award-winning writer Laura Wood.

Frances Hodgson Burnett was an English-American playwright and author. She is best known for her children's stories, in particular "The Secret Garden," "A Little Princess," and "Little Lord Fauntleroy," Following the death of her mother in 1872, eighteen-year-old Frances found herself the head of a family of four younger siblings. She turned to writing to support them all. Her main writing talent was combining realistic detail of working-class life with a romantic plot.

"The Lost Prince" features Marco Loristan, his father Stefan, and his friend, a street urchin named "The Rat," Marco's father is working to overthrow the cruel dictatorship in the kingdom of Samavia. Marco and his father Stefan come to London where Marco becomes friends with "The Rat," Stefan, realizing that two boys are less likely to be noticed, entrusts them with a secret mission to travel across Europe giving the secret sign: "The Lamp is lighted," to help bring about a revolution and restore the rightful king.

A retelling of Disney Frozen, accompanied by art from the original Disney Studio artists. Collect the whole Animated Classics series! This beautiful hardback features premium sparkling cloth binding, a ribbon marker to match the cover, foil stamping and illustrated endpapers, making this the perfect gift for all those who have been enchanted by the magic of Frozen and a book to be treasured by all. A family favourite, Disney Frozen is one of the best-loved films of all time. Relive the magic through this retelling of the classic animated film, accompanied by paintings, story sketches and concept art from the original Disney Studio artists. Also featured is a foreword by a Lisa Keene, a co-production designer 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.

Journey into the world of the Little Mermaid in this exquisite board book, which introduces the classic story to the youngest children with beautiful illustrations and innovative peek-through layered pages. The Little Mermaid combines a simple narrative with die-cut holes and high-contrast illustrations to create a captivating storytelling experience that encourages tactile interaction. Turn each page to delight in the increasingly expansive spreads as the Little Mermaid's journey is brought to life, from the magical underwater seascapes of her home to her dramatic encounter with the evil sea witch to her time on land with the handsome prince. Keep the magic of The Little Mermaid alive for the next generation with this gorgeous interactive retelling, which kids will love to read again and again. The Layer-by-Layer series of interactive board books introduces the youngest children to classic stories through beautifully layered pages featuring bright, contemporary illustrations, die cuts and gentle text. The illustrations, and wonders, expand as each new layer is revealed. Other titles in the series include Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book.

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."

More the story of the battle that rages inside the hero, Henry Fleming, than of that between Confederate and Union soldiers, the novel is, as its author has said, a psychological study of fear.

When signs appear that a comet is heading towards their beloved Moominvalley, Moomin and his friend Sniff set sail to consult with the professors in the distant Lonely Mountains. Their journey is full of adventures and narrow escapes; from crocodiles, giant lizards, eagles and the like, but new friends - soon to become firm friends - help lighten the way. In this first and most exciting Moomin novel, we meet the wandering Snufkin, the fascinating Snork Maiden and her brother the Snork as they join Moomin in his race to get home to Moominmamma before the comet crashes.

Max is used to being called Stupid. And he is used to everyone being scared of him. On account of his size and looking like his dad.

Kevin is used to being called Dwarf. On account of his size and being some cripple kid.

But greatness comes in all sizes, and together Max and Kevin become Freak The Mighty and walk high above the world.

An inspiring, heartbreaking, multi-award winning international bestseller.