A favourite game of the rich and beautiful Emma Woodhouse is dabbling in the marriage market, where she plays with everyone’s hearts except her own. But, for Jane Fairfax, the other heroine of Jane Austen's Emma, marriage is not a game. Orphaned and without a dowry to attract a husband, she must rely on her charms to secure an engagement,...

Alan Bennett reads three enchanting Doctor Dolittle stories Doctor Dolittle has an extraordinary talent – he can talk to the animals! Taught by his parrot, Polynesia, he is soon able to chat to every kind of creature – and his skill leads him into all sorts of adventures. In The Story of Doctor Dolittle, the Doctor and his pets set...

Five awesome aliens have been unleashed from the darkest corner of the galaxy - and they're out to destroy the universe. Only Cosmo, a young boy from planet Earth, has the power to stop them. Recruited by the elite defence organisation G-Watch to defend the galaxy, Cosmo must prove himself and commence battle against the deadliest aliens in space ....

Roald Dahl's much-loved story, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, about how Charlie Bucket wins a ticket to visit Willy Wonka's amazing chocolate factory is turned into a play for children to act. With tips about scenery, props and lighting, the play is easy to stage and there are lots of parts for everyone. Roald Dahl, the best-loved of children's writers,...

He's madly sane and cleverly dotty. Professor Branestawm is the craziest genius you'll ever meet and he's back with this bumper collection of hilarious adventures, zany inventions and mind-boggling experiments. So open up for a wacky collection of stories, riddles, puzzles, tricks and tips . . . You'll never get the better of Professor Branestawn but now you can at...

Seduced and abandoned by the faithless Willoughby, Colonel Brandon’s much-loved ward Eliza is sent to give birth in the countryside. But what becomes of her, and her daughter, the young Eliza? Joan Aiken's sequel to Sense and Sensibility takes up the stories of Elinor and Marianne, but introduces a dashing new heroine who despite being a 'by-blow' and outcast, uses...

A collection of 20 stories from India's rich folklore heritage. From wicked magicians to wise old priests, charming princes and beautiful princesses, to greedy tigers and wily jackals, these magical tales are full of adventure and trickery, and infused with deeper messages about morality, Life and the world around us. Founded on the work of folklorist, Joseph Jacob, and from...

A Christmas Carol is one of Charles Dickens' most loved books - a true classic and a Christmas-time must-read. This special Puffin Classics edition brings together two of the most inspirational collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London - the works of Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris and the literature of Charles Dickens. Illustrator Liz Catchpole has selected...

Nobody knows how long it has been since the Tripods came. Nobody remembers life on Earth before they enslaved it. Humans live in scattered farms and villages, kept quiet and obedient by the mind-controlling Caps implanted when they reach their teens. Will Parker's time is fast approaching - but a chance encounter with a madman convinces him that it may...

Alan Bennett reads A.A. Milne's much-loved stories about a small bear and his friends. The collection includes; Winnie the Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner and A Party for Pooh. What is the connection between a bear of very little brain and a honey pot? Usually it's the very sticky paw of Winnie the Pooh, as he takes a break...

The classic underwater adventure available in Puffin Classics. A mission to rid the seas of a monstrous creature becomes a terrifying nightmare when Professor Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land are thrown overboard. The huge marine animal which has haunted the water is no living beast, but a spectacular man-made vessel, and the three men find themselves the helpless prisoners of...

If there's one thing the Doctor ought to remember, it's this: he should never travel alone. And to help make sure he always has someone suitably brilliant by his side, Clara has compiled this comprehensive guide to travelling with the Doctor. Packed full of hints and tips on topics such as introducing the Doctor to your family, packing for life...

'This book demonstrates everything that is good about writing for children. It is a book of love, trust and wonder thoroughly recommended to adults and young people alike' - Carousel Bestselling author Dick King-Smith creates a fascinating picture of rural life at the time of the Second World War. Discovered as a foundling in a lambing pen, Spider Sparrow grows...

Bertie Bun was born to be a baker. His mum is a baker. His dad is a baker. Even his grandparents were bakers. But Bertie has a big problem - he's bored of bread! He wants to be a butcher's boy, or a bus-driver's boy or even a balloonist's boy - and his wishes are going to land him in...