Children's Classics Series

The Return of Tarzan is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the second in his series of books about the title character Tarzan. The ape man, feeling rootless in the wake of his noble sacrifice of his prospects of wedding Jane Porter, leaves America for Europe to visit his friend Paul d'Arnot. On the ship he becomes embroiled in the affairs of Countess Olga de Coude, her husband, Count Raoul de Coude, and two shady characters attempting to prey on them, Nikolas Rokoff and his henchman Alexis.

When Benjamin Bunny grew up, he married his Cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful. I do not remember the separate names of their children; they were generally called the Flopsy Bunnies.

In "Beauty and the Beast and Other Tales," Charles Perrault weaves a magical tapestry of stories that explore themes of bravery, transformation, and love's redemptive power. From the iconic story of Beauty, whose kindness transforms the Beast into a prince, to tales filled with cunning cats and sinister wolves, Perrault's collection spans the spectrum of human emotion and imagination. These tales, rich in moral and aesthetic beauty, have enchanted readers for centuries, proving that true beauty lies within.

Once upon a time there was a little girl called Lucie, who lived at a farm called Little-town. She was a good little girl—only she was always losing her pocket-handkerchiefs! One day little Lucie came into the farm-yard crying—oh, she did cry so! I’ve lost my pocket-handkin! Three handkins and a pinny! Have you seen them, Tabby Kitten?

In this collection of beautifully written modern fairy tales Oscar Wilde does not fail to both entertain with humorous characters and witty dialogue and at the same time deliver a subtle yet very potent message about some of the most human qualities such as true friendship, true happiness, selfishness, ignorance, playfulness and love. Some of the most famous epigrams of Oscar Wilde come from the characters in these tales. This volume includes: The Happy Prince, The Nightingale And the Rose, The Selfish Giant, The Devoted Friend, The Remarkable Rocket.

One morning a little rabbit sat on a bank. He pricked his ears and listened to the trit-trot, trit-trot of a pony. A gig was coming along the road; it was driven by Mr. McGregor, and beside him sat Mrs. McGregor in her best bonnet. As soon as they had passed, little Benjamin Bunny slid down into the road, and set off—with a hop, skip, and a jump—to call upon his relations, who lived in the wood at the back of Mr. McGregor's garden.

Once upon a time there was a little fat comfortable grey squirrel, called Timmy Tiptoes. He had a nest thatched with leaves in the top of a tall tree; and he had a little squirrel wife called Goody. Every day they made several journeys and picked quantities of nuts. They carried them away in bags, and stored them in several hollow stumps near the tree where they had built their nest.

Aesop's Fables from ancient Greek story teller of diverse origins. The stories associated with Aesop's name have descended to modern times through a number of sources. They continue to be reinterpreted in different verbal registers and in popular as well as artistic mediums.

Gulliver sets sail again and, after an attack by pirates, ends up in Laputa, where a floating island inhabited by theoreticians and academics oppresses the land below, called Balnibarbi. The scientific research undertaken in Laputa and in Balnibarbi seems totally inane and impractical, and its residents too appear wholly out of touch with reality. Taking a short side trip to Glubbdubdrib, Gulliver is able to witness the conjuring up of figures from history, such as Julius Caesar and other military leaders, whom he finds much less impressive than in books. After visiting the Luggnaggians and the Struldbrugs, the latter of which are senile immortals who prove that age does not bring wisdom, he is able to sail to Japan and from there back to England.

Eight-year-old Princess Irene lives a lonely life in a castle in a wild, desolate, mountainous kingdom, with only her nursemaid, Lootie for company. Her father the king is normally absent attending to affairs of state, and her mother is dead. Irene has never known about the existence of the goblins which lurk in the underground mines but her nursemaid Lootie does know about them.

There was once upon a time a couple of folks who had a son called Halvor. Ever since he had been a little boy he had been unwilling to do any work, and had just sat raking about among the ashes. His parents sent him away to learn several things, but Halvor stayed nowhere, for when he had been gone two or three days he always ran away from his master, hurried off home, and sat down in the chimney corner to grub among the ashes again...

"Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi is a timeless children's classic that follows the adventures of a mischievous wooden puppet brought to life by the kind-hearted toymaker, Geppetto. The puppet, named Pinocchio, desires to become a real boy and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he faces a series of trials, tempted by dishonesty and indulgence, which lead to humorous and often perilous situations. Through encounters with cunning foxes, a wicked puppeteer, and a giant shark, Pinocchio learns valuable lessons about honesty, responsibility, and the consequences of his actions. Geppetto's unwavering love and Pinocchio's willingness to change eventually lead to his transformation into a real boy, celebrating the triumph of virtue and the power of love in this enchanting and enduring tale.

Listen to the story of Jemima Puddle-duck, who was annoyed because the farmer's wife would not let her hatch her own eggs.

"The Jumblies and Other Nonsense Verses" by Edward Lear is a delightful collection that dances on the whimsical edges of imagination. In it, the titular "Jumblies" embark on an improbable sea voyage in a sieve, capturing the spirit of adventure and the joy of the absurd. Through limericks, quirky characters, and fantastical tales, Lear's verses play with language and rhythm, enchanting readers of all ages. This compilation celebrates the nonsensical, proving that sometimes, the most profound truths are found where logic ends and laughter begins.

Once upon a time there was a wood-mouse, and her name was Mrs. Tittlemouse. She lived in a bank under a hedge. Such a funny house! There were yards and yards of sandy passages, leading to storerooms and nut-cellars and seed-cellars, all amongst the roots of the hedge.

Moni, a young goat boy in the Swiss Alps, lives a simple and content life with his grandfather. Their days are filled with tending to the goats, exploring nature, and embracing the beauty of the mountains. Moni's genuine and carefree spirit, combined with the wisdom of his grandfather, creates a heartwarming story of simplicity, joy, and the bonds of family in the picturesque setting of the Alpine landscape.

Gulliver sets out as captain of a ship, but after the mutiny of his crew and a long confinement in his cabin, he arrives in an unknown land. This land is populated by Houyhnhnms, rational-thinking horses who rule, and by Yahoos, brutish humanlike creatures who serve the Houyhnhnms. Gulliver sets about learning their language, and when he can speak he narrates his voyages to them and explains the constitution of England. He is treated with great courtesy and kindness by the horses and is enlightened by his many conversations with them and by his exposure to their noble culture.

Once upon a time there was a king and a queen, who were very sorry that they had no children, so sorry that it cannot be told. At last, however, the Queen had a daughter. There was a very fine christening; and the Princess had for her godmothers all the fairies they could find in the whole kingdom (there were seven of them), so that every one of them might confer a gift upon her, as was the custom of fairies in those days. By this means the Princess had all the perfections imaginable.

Tarzan, one of the best-known literary characters in the world. He was only an infant, when his mother died of natural causes and his father was killed by Kerchak, leader of the ape tribe by whom Tarzan was adopted. Tarzan's tribe of apes is known as the Mangani, Great Apes of a species unknown to science. Kala is his ape mother. An archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles, he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer.

After staying in England with his wife and family for two months, Gulliver undertakes his next sea voyage, which takes him to a land of giants called Brobdingnag. Here, a field worker discovers him. The farmer initially treats him as little more than an animal, keeping him for amusement. The farmer eventually sells Gulliver to the queen, who makes him a courtly diversion and is entertained by his musical talents. Social life is easy for Gulliver after his discovery by the court, but not particularly enjoyable. Gulliver is often repulsed by the physicality of the Brobdingnagians, whose ordinary flaws are many times magnified by their huge size.

Gulliver’s adventure in Lilliput begins when he wakes after his shipwreck to find himself bound by innumerable tiny threads and addressed by tiny captors who are in awe of him but fiercely protective of their kingdom. They are not afraid to use violence against Gulliver, though their arrows are little more than pinpricks. But overall, they are hospitable, risking famine in their land by feeding Gulliver, who consumes more food than a thousand Lilliputians combined could. Gulliver is taken into the capital city by a vast wagon the Lilliputians have specially built. He is presented to the emperor, who is entertained by Gulliver, just as Gulliver is flattered by the attention of royalty.

Oscar Wilde's is most famous for his satirical plays which he wrote at the time of great literary enlightenment, when all Britons were able to embrace literature previously only available to the wealthy and educated. At the height of the prosperity sweeping through London in the Victorian Era Oscar Wilde also wrote many tales offering rich and dramatic portrayals of the human life and condition. This volume of Oscar Wild tales includes: The Model Millionaire, The Star-Child, The Sphinx Without a Secret.

Alice in Wonderland is a classic children's novel by Lewis Carroll that follows the adventures of a young girl named Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with talking animals and peculiar creatures. As Alice travels through this strange world, she encounters a variety of characters, including the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, who challenge her sense of reality and test her wit and bravery. Through its imaginative and absurd plot, the novel explores themes of identity, growth, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Alice in Wonderland is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations and remains a beloved work of fiction to this day.

"The Owl and the Pussy-Cat" by Edward Lear is a charming narrative poem that sails off into the realms of love and adventure. In this delightful tale, an unlikely pair—the elegant Owl and the beautiful Pussy-Cat—set out on a sea journey in their "beautiful pea-green boat," armed with honey, plenty of money, and a map. Their voyage to the land where the Bong-tree grows leads to a whimsical wedding officiated by a Turkey. Edward Lear's timeless poem celebrates the joy of companionship, whimsy, and the boundless possibilities of the imagination.

Tales of Mother Goose feature some of the best known fairy tales including: Blue Beard, Little Thumb, Puss in Boots, Riquet with the Tuft, The Fairy, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Sleeping Beauty.

Princess Irene and her father go to Gwyntystorm, while Curdie stays at home with his mother and father. As the years go by, Curdie begins to hunt for pleasure. He also slowly begins to doubt Irene's story of her great-great grandmother. One day, he shoots down a white pigeon. Curdie then remembers Irene's tale of her grandmother's pigeons, assumes the one he has shot down was one of them, and becomes aware of his folly. A light appears at the roof of the castle, and Curdie follows it. There, Curdie meets the old Princess, who appears small and withered, contrary to Irene's descriptions.

A Little Princess is a coming of age story about Sara Crewe, a young girl who is sent to boarding school in London after her father dies. At school, Sara is treated poorly by the other girls and faculty, but she remains optimistic and determined. Through her kindness and strength, Sara eventually wins the respect of her classmates and teachers.

An iconic collection of fairy tales from the master of storytelling Charles Perrault including some of his best work: Little Red Riding-Hood, The Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, Little Thumb, Cinderella, Blue Beard.

In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted coats with flowered lappets—when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta—there lived a tailor in Gloucester. He sat in the window of a little shop in Westgate Street, cross-legged on a table, from morning till dark. All day long while the light lasted he sewed and snippeted, piecing out his satin and pompadour, and lutestring; stuffs had strange names, and were very expensive in the days of the Tailor of Gloucester.

Highly fantasised origin stories, especially for differences among animals, and accounts of how various phenomena came about. A forerunner of these stories is Kipling's 'How Fear Came,' included in 'The Second Jungle Book'.