Books with author Read by Alison Larkin By (author) Arthur Ransome

It all started with a coot’s nest. Dorothy and Dick meet Tom Dodgeon, Port and Starboard, and three pirate salvagers – all members of the “Coot Club” Bird Protection Society. When one of the coot’s nests is disturbed by a shipful of “Hullabaloos” – rude holiday boaters – trouble begins. Frantic chases, calamitous boat collisions, and near drownings fill the pages of this exciting fifth addition to Ransome’s classic children’s series. “This exciting story of the Norfolk Broads is definitely the best Mr. Ransome has written. It is genuine adventure, and yet there is not an incident which could not easily occur sailing about the waters of East Anglia.” –Daily Mail “There is satisfactory realism about all that happens to the Coot Club, and the atmosphere and detail of the odd part of England where they navigate are conveyed with a charm and accuracy that only this author perhaps could bring to bear.” –Guardian

The crew’s on holiday, and they turn their energies to mining for gold, aided by pigeon messengers Homer, Sophocles, and Sappho. The adventurers comb the nearby hills for a fabled lost claim, while being shadowed by a mysterious figure they dub “squashy hat.” Undeterred by drought, sudden brushfires, and the continuing presence of Squashy Hat, the young prospectors persevere in their quest—with surprising results. Full of the dangers and dark adventurers of old mines and forgotten claims, Pigeon Post has an irresistible appeal to the persistent explorer in every child. “There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun in connection with a gold-mind. The ingenuity of this group of children is delightful and stimulating.” —The Times Literary Supplement“These books about the four Walker children and the two Blackett girls, who spend their vacations in the English Lake Country sailing and camping on their own, are truly first rate.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

Finally! Here is the twelfth, and final, book in Arthur Ransome’s acclaimed Swallows and Amazons series. People familiar with his earlier work will recognize the pattern: children set out on an adventure (this one off the coast of Scotland) with a minimum of parental advice and interference. Here, the story centers on a desperate race to thwart the efforts of pernicious egg collectors threatening the survival of a pair of rare birds not previously known to nest in British waters (actually, the bird is the handsome North American “Great Northern Diver,” more commonly called a loon). When we first considered reissuing this beloved series, we asked our friends what they thought of the idea. No one encouraged us; but we loved the books. They were rooted in reality and had the grit and voice of real experience. Practical information abounded – about sailing and navigating, tickling trout and tying knots. Problems set to children were solved. Today, with all twelve titles in print, we’re pleased to report that there are legions of Ransome fans who welcome each new addition with enthusiasm. The success of fine writing has everything to do with good stories, palpable energy, engaging models, and credible adventures; and all these Arthur Ransome provides in spades. "Written in the most beautiful English, this is one of the books that I would be proud to give anyone." – BBC

The beautiful second volume in the cherished adventure series that the Guardian called “the 1930s equivalent of JK Rowling.”The Swallows and Amazons return to their lakeside home (in England’s Lake District in the 1930s) bursting with grand schemes for the summer—camping, hiking, fishing and exploring. But a shipwreck and an impending visit from a Great-Aunt threaten to foil all their plans. Never fear: the discovery of a hidden valley and a secret cave lend new excitement to their days!The sequel to Swallows and Amazons, Swallowdale is charming and imaginative, yet firmly rooted in the reality of nature. Swallowdale will “capture the imagination of the Harry Potter generation” (Guardian) and will be treasured by generations to come.

In this, the eighth book in Arthur Ransome’s beloved SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS series for children, the five Walker children are left on a “desert island” by their parents with provisions for a long stay and a blank map to fill in. Like all of Ransome's books, this is at once a real adventure and a lesson in the practicalities of exploring – in this case, of surveying the inlets, coves, mudflats, and estuaries of “Walker Island.” Naturally, there are enemies to overcome (another clan named “The Eels”) and friends to meet (who else but the intrepid “Amazons”?). And, as always, the children do it all solo, with not a parent on the horizon. "Once more the Swallows and the Amazons have a magnificent exploring adventure; once more Arthur Ransome has kept a complete record of their experiences, terrors, triumphs and set it down with the cunning that casts a spell over new children and old." –Times Literary Supplement "This time the Walker children are ‘marooned’ on an island somewhere in England, and for their adventures there is but one word enchanting!" –Sunday Times

Those two Blackett sisters are back at it again, and Nancy is right there in the thick of it. Their mother (doubtless suffering from exhaustion) has gone off sailing in the North Sea with Captain Flint on a rest cure, but she has allowed her two daughters to stay a fortnight at Beckfoot on the lakeshore with their trusty cook. She’s also permitted their two old friends, Dick and Dorothea Callum, to come up for a visit. But when their redoubtable Great Aunt (a.k.a. G.A.) hears of their abandonment, she’s horrified and off on the next train. The Amazons are dismayed; not only will their solo holiday be ruined, but now they’ll have to hide their two guests in the woods in an abandoned shepherd’s cottage where they’ll be forced to live off the land like savages (ergo “The Picts”), while they’ll be required to dress up in white pinafores, practice the piano-forte, and recite reams of parlor poetry aloud (ergo “The Martyrs”). Not much stretch here; no one dares trifle with the G. A. As usual with Ransome, the fun is gentle, the action nonstop, and the instructions on everything from tickling trout to setting anchors are precise and informed. Even the formidable aunt proves to have virtues, not the least of which is her ability to say she’s sorry. The Picts & the Martyrs “Stands out in triumph.” ― The Times Literary Supplement

In this, the eighth book in Arthur Ransome’s beloved SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS series for children, the five Walker children are left on a “desert island” by their parents with provisions for a long stay and a blank map to fill in. Like all of Ransome's books, this is at once a real adventure and a lesson in the practicalities of exploring – in this case, of surveying the inlets, coves, mudflats, and estuaries of “Walker Island.” Naturally, there are enemies to overcome (another clan named “The Eels”) and friends to meet (who else but the intrepid “Amazons”?). And, as always, the children do it all solo, with not a parent on the horizon. "Once more the Swallows and the Amazons have a magnificent exploring adventure; once more Arthur Ransome has kept a complete record of their experiences, terrors, triumphs and set it down with the cunning that casts a spell over new children and old." –Times Literary Supplement "This time the Walker children are ‘marooned’ on an island somewhere in England, and for their adventures there is but one word enchanting!" –Sunday Times

The fourth book in Arthur Ransome’s classic series for children, WINTER HOLIDAY takes intrepid explorers John, Susan, Titty, and Roger Walker, and fearsome Amazon pirates Nancy and Peggy Blackett to the North Pole. Joined by budding novelist Dorothea Callum and her scientist brother Dick, the children plan an “Arctic” expedition. But unforeseen events separate the travelers and disaster nearly strikes in the exciting climax of their race to the Pole. “The story is the best kind of adventure story. . . . Every step is possible, and everyone is transmuted into romance by deliberate purpose. Nothing that the children do is beyond the reach of a group provided that winter, a frozen lake and mumps connive to perfect adventure.” – Observer “Mr. Ransome’s imagination is as deep and secret as the waters of his lake, his prose is as strong and level as the ice which covered it – a beautiful surface for adventurous skaters of any age.” –New Statesman “It’s hard to believe that four siblings could camp out together on an island for weeks without cross words. But like the old fashioned atmosphere, this loyalty and good cheer make their imaginary world a most pleasant, happy place.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

In this latest adventure (following Pigeon Post, winner of the Carnegie Medal), the Walker family has come to Harwich to wait for Commander Walker’s return. As usual, the children can’t stay away from boats, and this time they meet young Jim Brading, skipper of the well-found sloop Goblin. But fun turns to high drama when the anchor drags, and the four young sailors find themselves drifting out to sea – sweeping across to Holland in the midst of a full gale! As in all of Ransome’s books, the emphasis is on self reliance, courage, and resourcefulness. We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea is a story to warm any mariner’s heart. Full of nautical lore and adventure, it will appeal to young armchair sailors and seasoned salts alike. “The seventh of the Arthur Ransome books, and I really think it is the best.” –Sunday Times “Perhaps the best of all . . . Told with all the wealth of practical detail and satisfying sense of reality which make Mr. Ransome so unfailingly successful.” –Punch

The crew’s on holiday, and they turn their energies to mining for gold, aided by pigeon messengers Homer, Sophocles, and Sappho. The adventurers comb the nearby hills for a fabled lost claim, while being shadowed by a mysterious figure they dub “squashy hat.” Undeterred by drought, sudden brushfires, and the continuing presence of Squashy Hat, the young prospectors persevere in their quest―with surprising results. Full of the dangers and dark adventurers of old mines and forgotten claims, Pigeon Post has an irresistible appeal to the persistent explorer in every child. “There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun in connection with a gold-mind. The ingenuity of this group of children is delightful and stimulating.” ―The Times Literary Supplement“These books about the four Walker children and the two Blackett girls, who spend their vacations in the English Lake Country sailing and camping on their own, are truly first rate.” ―Philadelphia Inquirer

It all started with a coot’s nest. Dorothy and Dick meet Tom Dodgeon, Port and Starboard, and three pirate salvagers – all members of the “Coot Club” Bird Protection Society. When one of the coot’s nests is disturbed by a shipful of “Hullabaloos” – rude holiday boaters – trouble begins. Frantic chases, calamitous boat collisions, and near drownings fill the pages of this exciting fifth addition to Ransome’s classic children’s series. “This exciting story of the Norfolk Broads is definitely the best Mr. Ransome has written. It is genuine adventure, and yet there is not an incident which could not easily occur sailing about the waters of East Anglia.” –Daily Mail “There is satisfactory realism about all that happens to the Coot Club, and the atmosphere and detail of the odd part of England where they navigate are conveyed with a charm and accuracy that only this author perhaps could bring to bear.” –Guardian