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Children's reading lists

9 must-read classic children’s books, as chosen by our readers

Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn

More adventures with the Ruggles family from One End Street. 
 
Kate loves the country so much that kind Mr and Mrs Wildgoose invite her to spend the whole of the summer holidays with them at The Dew Drop Inn, so she says good-bye to her mother and father and her six brothers and sisters, and sets off by train with a shiny black mackintosh and some brand-new gum-boots. The Wildgooses are just as kind as she remembered them, and there is a big excitement for her when The Dew Drop Inn is to take part in the concert and flower show. Kate is kept busy learning how to make cakes and jam, discovering where all sorts of wild flowers grow, and writing an essay. But the most difficult thing of all is deciding which of her poems to recite at the concert.

It was as if, with the story of Kate Ruggles' summer-long stay at the eponymous hostelry and enthusiastic embrace of village life, Eve Garnett had peered into my mind and written down exactly what she knew would delight me most. That seemed to me magic of the highest order

Eve Garnett was born in 1900 in Worcestershire, and studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic and the Royal Academy School of Art. Whilst a student, she sketched the people of the East End slums and was haunted by the poverty she had witnessed, resolving to do something to bring the plight of the working-class family to people's attention. The Family from One End Street was originally published by Frederick Muller in 1937, followed by The Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street in 1956, and Holiday at Dew Drop Inn in 1962. She died in 1991.

Kate loves the country so much that kind Mr and Mrs Wildgoose invite her to spend the whole of the summer holidays with them at The Dew Drop Inn, so she says good-bye to her mother and father and her six brothers and sisters, and sets off by train with a shiny black mackintosh and some brand-new gum-boots. Kate is soon swept up in preparing for the annual Flower Show and the Concert, despite competition from nasty Angela Smallpiece and boastful Johnny Sears. But the most difficult thing is deciding which of her poems to read at the Concert. 
 
All three One End Street novels are now available in A Puffin Book.

The Family from One End Street

A series of children's modern classic novels by renowned 20th century children's writers. All the titles in this series have the A Puffin Book logo, contemporary-style covers, and child-friendly endnotes.

A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetime. 
 
 
THE FAMILY FROM ONE END STREET by Eve Garnett is the story of everyday life in the big, happy Ruggles family who live in the small town of Otwell. Father is a dustman and Mother a washerwoman. Then there's all the children - practical Lily Rose, clever Kate, mischievous twins James and John, followed by Jo, who loves films, little Peg and finally baby William. 
 
A truly classic book awarded the Carnegie Medal as the best children's book of 1937. 
 
Eve Garnett was born in 1900 in Worcestershire, and studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic and the Royal Academy School of Art. Whilst a student, she sketched the people of the East End slums and was haunted by the poverty she had witnessed, resolving to do something to bring the plight of the working-class family to people's attention. The Family from One End Street was originally published by Frederick Muller in 1937, followed by The Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street in 1956, and Holiday at Dew Drop Inn in 1962. She died in 1991.

The story of everyday life in the big, happy Ruggles family who live in the small town of Otwell. Father is a dustman and Mother a washerwoman. Then there's all the children - practical Lily Rose, clever Kate, mischievous twins James and John, followed by Jo, who loves films, little Peg and finally baby William. 
 
A truly classic book awarded the Carnegie Medal as the best children's book of 1937.

A Child's Garden of Verses

A fabulous Puffin 60th anniversary edition of this beautifully illustrated and timeless children's poetry collection.

Rediscover the delight and innocence of childhood in these classic poems from celebrated author, Robert Louis Stevenson. 
 
From make-believe to climbing trees, bedtime stories to morning play and favourite cousins to beloved mothers. 
 
Here is a very special collection to be treasured for ever.

Eve Garnett

The Ruggles family are back and this time three of them have measles - but it turns out to be a blessing in disguise as they are sent to Dew Drop Inn, a wonderful house in the country, while they recover. There are adventures galore - like the time Lily Rose is a bridesmaid, or when Mr Ruggles gets sent the wrong pig, and the day Baby Ruggles sees a cat at the kitchen window and it turns out to be an escaped tiger! 
 
Written and illustrated by Eve Garnett, this sequel to The Family from One End Street continues to delight readers of all ages.

Eve Garnett

Books by Eve Garnett

Articles featuring Eve Garnett

9 must-read classic children’s books, as chosen by our readers

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