Books in Children's Classics series

In this delightful fantasy, we meet Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo and her army — sixteen officers and one private soldier — who set out to conquer the world. What follows is a series of exotic adventures in which the Shaggy Man attempts to find his long-lost brother, held captive by the Nome King. Tik-Tok, a curious mechanical man, agrees to assist Shaggy in his search, and Polychrome stops to play and suffers the awful fate of being deserted by her rainbow. You'll also meet Betsy Bobbin and Hank, a mule.Eventually, everyone comes together in the expedition to help Shaggy locate his misplaced sibling. Before they can do that, however, they must first overcome the Nome King, a tricky bit of business with many pitfalls. The Nome King's magic proves especially troubling. Thanks to some timely assistance from a quizzical character named Quox, the Nome King is defeated. After many diverting escapades, Shaggy's brother is found and the expedition arrives before the gates of the Emerald City. "Oz" lovers of all ages will delight in this charming flight of fancy, embellished with 93 illustrations by John R. Neill.

"Science fiction and space travel take a sprightly turn," declared Kirkus Reviews of this illustrated tale of a girl who tumbles to Earth from her father's spaceship. The young alien encounters a group of children eager to help her find her way home, but the kids will have to defy the unbelieving grown-ups.Years ahead of its time, Star Girl was originally published in the 1950s, when interest in space travel and extraterrestrials was approaching new levels. Since then, the book has become a beloved cult classic. This new edition offers the next generation of young readers an ideal introduction to the imaginative delights of science fiction.

Among the most beloved fairy tales in literature, the stories of Hans Christian Andersen have been delighting children and adults for generations. Their simplicity, humor, imaginative power, and universality have made them classics all over the world. Now readers can enjoy eight favorite tales from the great Danish storyteller: "The Ugly Duckling," "The Red Shoes," "Thumbelina," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Little Match Girl," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Nightingale." Newly reset in large easy-to-read type, these stories invite youngsters to enter a magical kingdom of fable fantasy and adventure. Adults, too, will find much of interest here, for the stories often contain elements only fully appreciated by older readers. In short, as Andersen himself insisted, these tales were written for all ages. Gathered together in this inexpensive volume, they represent hours of enjoyable entertainment in the company of one of the world's great storytellers. Six delightful illustrations by Harriet Golden enhance the text.

"Superb. The best junior novel I've ever read about big-city life." — The New York Times. After another fight with Pop, 14-year-old Dave storms out of their apartment and nearly gets hit by a car. Kate, the local cat lady, comes to the rescue, and Dave returns home with an ally: Cat, the stray tom that becomes Dave's confidante and his key to new friendships and experiences. Cat inadvertently leads Dave to Tom, a troubled 19-year-old who needs help, and Mary, a shy girl who opens Dave's eyes and ears to music and theater. Even the Cat-related confrontations with Pop take on a new spirit, with less shouting and more understanding.It's Like This, Cat offers a vivid tour of New York City in the 1960s. From the genteel environs of Gramercy Park to a bohemian corner of Coney Island, the atmospheric journey is punctuated by stickball games, pastrami sandwiches, and a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Recounted with humor, a remarkably realistic teenage voice, and Emil Weiss's pitch-perfect illustrations, this 1964 Newbery Award-winning tale recaptures the excitement and challenges of growing up in the big city.

Howard Garis (1873–1962) was a young reporter for the Newark Evening News when he first started writing stories for children about a lovable rabbit named Uncle Wiggily. Calling them "bedtime stories" (apparently the first time the term was used), he created a widely syndicated series that eventually totaled hundreds of tales.This volume ― the only inexpensive paperbound edition available ― includes eleven of the best stories from the series, relating the long-eared cottontail's adventures with the Lost Chipmunk, the Black Cricket, the Doll Doctor, the Lazy Duck, the Pinching Bug, and other appealing characters.Printed in large, easy-to-read type and enhanced with twenty-seven new vignettes, these delightful stories will captivate today's young readers as much as they did youngsters in the early twentieth century.

Teeming with monsters, magic, and adventure, this captivating children's classic by one of America's greatest writers retells six legendary tales of incredible warriors and evil creatures.Using a fictional narrator who tells engrossing stories to his young relatives on quiet hillsides, in secluded vales, and other attractive settings, Nathaniel Hawthorne draws his readers into the imaginative and ancient world of Greek mythology. There, they meet King Midas, the man with an unusual power, in "The Golden Touch"; Hercules, the legendary hero and strongman, in "The Three Golden Apples"; cruel witches with snakes for hair, in "The Gorgon's Head"; and "The Chimaera," a monster that is part lion, part goat, and part snake. An enchanting account of Pandora and an enticing box is recounted in "The Paradise of Children," while "The Miraculous Pitcher" tells a heartwarming tale about the rewards of hospitality and goodness.An excellent way to acquaint youngsters with a number of classical heroes and evil-doers, A Wonder Book will enchant readers of all ages.

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the classic American tale, starring Gayle Hunnicutt. When Pollyanna's father dies, she is sent to live with her only surviving relative, the rich but stern Aunt Polly. Pollyanna's joy soon turns to disappointment when her spinster aunt gives her a cold greeting and tells her she is to stay in the attic. It's not the welcome Pollyanna expected, but she soon regains her spirits, playing the ‘glad game’ her father taught her. Nancy, the maid, is charmed by Pollyanna and soon the girl's infectious optimism wins the hearts of everyone in town from the reclusive Mr Pendleton to the shy Dr Chilton. Everyone, that is, except Aunt Polly, who refuses to succumb to her young niece's charm. It is not until a tragic accident occurs, which leaves even Pollyanna struggling to find a way to feel glad, that her maiden aunt finally unwraps her heart from years of bitterness. This BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation retains the spirit of childlike innocence and optimism that has made Pollyanna a favourite amongst generations of children and adults.

G. A. Henty has a wonderful talent for combining history and fiction for children. In this thrilling adventure story, he transports young readers back to the early days of the American frontier with a narrative that's as educational as it is exciting. His rip-roaring story follows the exploits of Hugh Tunstall, a young English lad who leaves England for Texas, where he experiences, firsthand, the lawlessness of the Far West. Facing the challenges of life in an untamed wilderness, Hugh finds work on a cattle ranch, encounters hostile Indians, and chases kidnappers. The absorbing narrative also offers authentic accounts of mining camps, lumberjacking, cattle ranching, and trapping, with some riveting scenes of gunfights, wildfires, horse races, roundups, and daring rescues thrown in for good measure.A treat for adventure-loving readers everywhere, this rousing tale will be welcomed by Henty fans of all ages.