Salman Rushdie is one of the world’s most acclaimed, award-winning contemporary authors. Translated into over forty languages, his sixteen works of fiction include Midnight’s Children – for which he won the Booker Prize in 1981, the Booker of Bookers on the 25th anniversary of the prize and Best of the Booker on the 40th anniversary – Shame, The Satanic Verses, Quichotte and Victory City. His latest book, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. A former president of PEN American Center, Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for services to literature and was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's last Birthday Honours list in 2022.

Salman Rushdie

Salman Khan is the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. His lessons on YouTube have revolutionized learning, garnering billions of views globally. Recognized as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Khan is also the founder of schoolhouse.world, Khan Lab School, and Khan World School, and the author of The One World Schoolhouse. He holds three degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Salman Khan

PublicationStatus

Brand

Format

AgeRange

Series

Imprint

CategoryLabel

**ONE OF THE BBC'S 100 GREATEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF ALL TIME** 
 
Haroun: What's the use of stories that aren't even true? 
 
I asked that question and the Unthinkable Thing happened: my father can't tell stories anymore. That means no more laughter in the city of Alifbay and now the place stinks of sadness. So it's up to me to put things right. If the water genie Iff can take me on the Hoopoe bird Butt all the way to Gup City then maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to persuade the Grand Comptroller to give my father his Story Water supply back. Trouble is, that is strictly forbidden, one hundred percent banned, no way Jose territory... 
 
Luka: What do sea monsters eat? 
 
The Old Man of the River of Time: Fish and Ships. Why was six afraid of seven? 
 
Luka: Because seven eight nine. 
 
Luckily, my father is the Riddle King and taught me everything I know. But the stakes are high in this riddle battle, couldn't be higher in fact! To save my father from Un-Life, I've got to beat the Old Man and steal the Fire of Life that burns at the top of the Mountain of Knowledge. Only problem is that nobody in the entire recorded history of the World of Magic has ever successfully stolen the Fire of Life... 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can read an interview with the author and solve some fiendish riddles! 
 
Vintage Children's Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Haroun and Luka

A double edition of Haroun and the Sea of Stories and Luka and the Fire of Life

Janusz Korczak

‘Children! I, Matt the First, appeal for your help in carrying out my reforms’ 
 
Little Matt becomes King Matt when he is just a young boy. He can barely even read or write and he certainly doesn’t know anything about governing a country. What should he do? What would you do? 
 
Ignoring his grown-up ministers, he builds the finest zoo in the world and decrees that children should be given chocolate every day. But ruling turns out to be a much trickier business than Matt ever realised. 
 
Can the happiness of a nation depend on one small boy? Well, let’s find out… 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can discover the life story of the brave author and put your governing skills to the test. 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

King Matt The First

Jack London

‘Mush on!’ 
 
 Buck does not read the newspapers. If he had, he’d have known that for good strong dogs like himself trouble is brewing. Man has found gold and because of that Buck is kidnapped and dragged away from his sunny home to become a sledge dog in the harsh and freezing North. With strength, imagination and cunning on his side Buck must fight for survival. But will he ever trust Man again? 
 
 This book also includes White Fang a story about a wild young cub, part dog and part wolf. 
 
 Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can find out if you’re a wild wolf or a faithful dog and learn more about the Arctic gold rush! 
 
 Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Call of the Wild and White Fang

Rudyard Kipling

No man's cub can run with the people of the Jungle,' howled Shere Khan. 'Give him to me! 
 
When Father Wolf and Mother Wolf find a man-cub in the jungle, they anger the greedy tiger Shere Khan by refusing to surrender it to his jaws, and rear the child as their own. But when little Mowgli grows up, the pack can no longer defend him. He must learn the secret of fire, and with the help of his friends Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, he faces his nemesis at last. 
 
BACKSTORY: Learn about India’s jungles and the animals that live there!

The Jungle Book

Margaret Atwood

** THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER ** 
 
Discover the dystopian novel that started a phenomenon before you read the Booker Prize-winning sequel The Testaments 
 
NOW AN AWARD-WINNING TV SERIES STARRING ELISABETH MOSS 
 
Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford – her assigned name, Offred, means ‘of Fred’. She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate a devastated world, she will be hanged. Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As she recalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigate through the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in the present day, and between two men upon which her future hangs. 
 
Masterfully conceived and executed, this haunting vision of the future places Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction. 
 
‘A fantastic, chilling story. And so powerfully feminist’ Bernadine Evaristo, author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER 
 
‘This novel seems ever more vital in the present day’ Observer 
 
Includes exclusive content: In The 'Backstory' you can read Margaret Atwood's account of how she came to write this landmark dystopian novel.

The Handmaid's Tale

Norman Hunter

Rediscover Professor Branestawm this Christmas – soon to become a brand new drama on BBC ONE written by Charlie Higson and starring Harry Hill 
 
‘Once you started anything in Professor Branestawm’s house you never knew when it might finish or even if it ever would’ 
 
Poor Mrs Flittersnoop! It’s not easy being Professor Branestawm’s housekeeper. People may say he’s a genius, but all his inventions always make life more complicated, alarming and extraordinary than it was before. An innocent bottle of old cough mixture turns out to be an elixir that makes all the waste paper in the bin come to life, the burglar-catcher and the pancake-maker operate just a little too efficiently, and about the spring-cleaning machine, the less said the better. You could write a book about it, but nobody would believe it. 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can find out about accidental inventions that changed our lives and try a few experiments of your own! 
 
 Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm

Rosemary Sutcliff

‘Traitor! Now is your death-time upon you!’ 
 
You may think you know all about King Arthur, the young boy who plucked the sword from the stone. You’ve probably heard stories about Merlin's magic powers and the Knights of the round table…these are the stories we learn at school. 
 
But they are just the beginning. Here are tales of human sacrifice, dragons, sword fights to the death, noble quests, tragedy and great courage: this the real world of King Arthur. 
 
Are you brave enough to enter? 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can test your knowledge of the legends and find out which Knight of the Round Table you most resemble. 
 
 Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The King Arthur Trilogy

Antoine De Saint-Exupery

A NEW TRANSLATION BY MICHAEL MORPURGO, AUTHOR OF WAR HORSE 
 
 If a little fellow comes along, if he laughs, if he has golden hair, and if he never answers questions, then you will know who he is. 
 
 He is the Little Prince, the mysterious, innocent and beautiful boy who appears to a pilot stranded in the desert and makes an extraordinary request. He has journeyed to our planet from his home among the stars, encountering all sorts of peculiar grown-ups along the way, and a fox who teaches him to see the important things in life. But the Prince has left behind a flower growing on his star, a rose which is his treasure and his burden, and before long he must return to it. 
 
 Master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, has translated what is for him 'one of the greatest stories ever written' so that more English readers might discover the joy of reading this enchanting fable. The Little Prince is a story for everyone, for children and grown-up children, for kings, geographers and lamp-lighters, even for the very serious and the very wise. 
 
A beautiful hardback edition - the perfect present to enchant children and grown-up children this Christmas.

The Little Prince

A new translation by Michael Morpurgo

Louisa May Alcott

‘We always allow one pillow-fight Saturday night’ 
 
Did you ever wonder what happened to Jo March from Little Women? She grew up, of course, and followed her dream to become a writer. In addition, she opened a school, home to her two children and twelve other boys. There’s accident-prone Tommy, bookish Demi, and greedy Stuffy. Into this large, unusual family arrives Nat – a skinny, nervous orphan boy with no schooling, just a fearless talent for the violin. Amid all the scrapes and japes of twelve rambunctious boys, can little Nat find his place at Plumfield? 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the 'Backstory' you can find out what inspired the author and test your knowledge of Jo’s enormous family... 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Little Men

Jacqueline Wilson

Nick Sharratt

STRICTLY PRIVATE. KEEP OUT ON PAIN OF DEATH. 
 
I'm Tracy Beaker - have you heard of me? I'm stuck in The Dumping Ground just at the moment, but I'm sure my Mum will come and get me soon. A certain Justine-Hateful-Littlewood has stolen my best friend Louise but I don't let it get me down. I never cry. Ever. I've done a bit of screaming and stamping in my time mind you … I like eating birthday cake. And Smarties and Big Macs with French fries and strawberry milkshakes. I also like story writing. This is a story all about me - so I know you'll enjoy it! 
 
Includes exclusive material: In ‘The Backstory’ you can read an interview with Jacqueline Wilson and take Nick Sharratt's drawing challenge! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Story of Tracy Beaker

Mark Twain

Read this 19th-century childhood adventure story that confronts the reality of racism in America. 
 
 'There comes a time in every boy's life when when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure' 
 
Impish, daring young Tom Sawyer is a hero to his friends and a torment to his relations. For wherever there is mischief or adventure, Tom is at the heart of it. During one hot summer, Tom witnesses a murder, runs away to be a pirate, attends his own funeral, rescues an innocent man from the gallows, searches for treasure in a haunted house, foils a devilish plot and discovers a box of gold. But can he escape his nemesis, the villainous Injun Joe? 
 
BACKSTORY: Find out some fascinating facts about the author and have a go at a game of marbles!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

T. H. White

Maria is the orphan mistress of a crumbling manor four times as long as Buckingham Palace. Her grounds are so vast and overgrown that Maria is already ten years old before she discovers that a community of Lilliputians live on her land – the proud but tiny people whom Gulliver met on his famous travels. 
 
To keep their secret safe, Maria must outsmart her vile Governess and the greedy Vicar as they plot to steal her inheritance. Fortunately, Maria has a few tricks up her sleeve, and an entire army in her pocket. 
 
Includes exclusive content: In the 'Backstory' you can take the Mistress Masham quiz and find out why this is Anne Fine's favourite book. 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from Peter Pan and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Mistress Masham's Repose

Arthur Conan Doyle

‘On the contrary, my dear Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see’ 
 
Herein lie the problems: a stolen jewel, the inexplicable death of a young woman, the disappearance of one of the most remarkable racehorses in England, a missing butler, the curious symbols of dancing men, a broken bust of Napoleon, a possible kidnapping and the bad business of a coachman shot through the heart. 
 
The solution? Elementary my dear friend. Call the super sleuth famed for his rapid deductions, his swift intuitions and ingenious solutions - Sherlock Holmes of 221b Baker Street. 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can test your powers of observation and deduction, learn about the author and brush up on your detective skills! 
 
 Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Jill Paton Walsh

A PLAGUE - A VILLAGE - A LOCKDOWN 
 
1665, Eyam, Derbyshire. 
'Here I have set down all that I know of the Plague' 
 
It is 1665 and Mall Percival is a shepherd girl living in a Derbyshire village. She tends her flock, spends time with her best friend and teaches her young suitor to read. But one day a parcel of patterns, meant for a new dress for the pastor's wife, wings its way from London. 
 
The parcel carries an infection that spreads with horrifying speed. Herbal teas and open windows are the only defence against the sickness. Yet the villagers make a brave and selfless decision: to isolate themselves from the rest of the country. It is a lockdown that saves the neighbouring towns, but at heart-breaking cost to Mall's world. 
 
Based on the true events of the village of Eyam, this is the story of a courageous sacrifice that saved Derbyshire and beyond from a deadly virus. 
 
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE WHITBREAD PRIZE* 
 
'A pocket masterpiece' Guardian 
 
Readers love A Parcel of Patterns 
 
'I couldn't put it down' 
 
'Brought me to tears too many times to count' 
 
'If you think social distancing is hard in the Coronavirus pandemic, read this wonderful novel based on the true story of the village of Eyam'

A Parcel of Patterns

Leon Garfield

'My father, that stern and upright man, was nothing but a swindler and a thief!' 
 
What is the matter with old Mr Jones? Endless footsteps and low groans can be heard from his room in the dead of night. Only his son William knows the a terrible secret: his father betrayed his business partner Mr Diamond, and swindled him out of a great fortune. William resolves to go to London, find Mr Diamond and make amends. But the murky big city, with its sinister characters and treacherous back streets, is no place for a boy of twelve. And Mr Diamond's own son is not the sort of person to forgive and forget. Danger and deceit lie waiting... 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can find out more about the wonderful author and learn some Cockney rhyming slang! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

John Diamond

Alexandre Dumas

Discover the real story behind Disney’s latest blockbuster adaptation The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and the iconic Nutcracker Christmas ballet, as told by Alexandre Dumas 
 
‘How could you imagine, silly child, that this toy, which is made of cloth and wood, could possibly be alive?’ 
 
The nutcracker doll that mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer gives to little Marie for Christmas is no ordinary toy. On Christmas Eve, as the clocks strike midnight, Marie watches as the Nutcracker and her entire cabinet of playthings come to life and boldly do battle against the evil Mouse King and his armies. 
But this is only the start of the tale. 
 
Read on for enchantment and transformation; enter a world by turns fantastical and sinister, a kingdom of dolls and spun-sugar palaces, and learn the true history of the brave little Nutcracker.

The Story of a Nutcracker

Arthur Ransome

‘Let fly jib sheet! Slack away main! Fenders out!’ 
 
Dick and Dorothea – also known as The Ds – arrive in Norfolk all ready to learn how to sail. They couldn’t hope for a better teacher than Tom Dudgeon. But Tom is in a spot of trouble. After seeing the beastly Margoletta moored clean across the nests of his beloved coots, Tom set the motorcruiser adrift. Now the enemy have offered a bounty on his head. Can they save the birds’ nest from almost certain destruction? Will they avoid being caught by the awful Hullabaloos? Only some brave friends and quick thinking stands between them and disaster… 
 
Includes exclusive material: In ‘The Backstory’ you can test your knowledge of the book, learn about the adventurous author and get some handy facts about birds and boats. 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Coot Club

L. M. Montgomery

‘It’s a million times nicer to be Anne of Green Gables than Anne of nowhere in particular, isn’t it?’ 
 
My dislikes: Being an orphan, having red hair, being called ‘carrots’ by Gilbert Blythe. 
 
My likes: Living at the Green Gables with Marilla and Matthew, my bosom-friend Diana, dresses with puff sleeves. 
 
My regrets: Dying my hair green. Smashing a slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head. 
 
My dream: To tame my temper. To be good (this is an uphill struggle). To grow up to have auburn hair! 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can find out about the real Green Gables, the plucky author and more! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from Peter Pan and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Anne of Green Gables

E Nesbit

'"Stand firm'" said Peter, "and wave like mad!"' 
 
They were not railway children to begin with. When their Father mysteriously leaves home Roberta (everyone calls her Bobbie), Phyllis and Peter must move to a small cottage in the countryside with Mother. It is a bitter blow to leave their London home, but soon they discover the hills and valleys, the canal and of course, the railway. But with the thrilling rush and rattle and roar of the trains comes danger too. Will the brave trio come to the rescue? And most importantly, can they solve the disappearance of their Father? 
 
BACKSTORY: Find out all about steam trains and learn what it was really like to be a child in Edwardian times.

The Railway Children

'My dear girls, stop your mud-pies and hear the news!' 
 
Ten years after Little Men, the boys that Jo raised are all grown-up. But that certainly doesn’t mean that they no longer need her help and advice. Emil, now as sailor, must survive shipwreck and disaster. Dan’s attempt to make his fortune ends in prison. Nat’s career in music takes him to Europe, to a life of frivolity and a tricky romantic muddle. But returning to Plumfield to tell their tales, they are, and will always be, Jo’s boys. 
 
Includes exclusive content: In the ‘Backstory’ you can discover the story behind the Little Women series and take the Jo’s Boys quiz 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Jo's Boys

‘Barbecued billygoats!’ 
 
Can you imagine finding gold? That’s just what the Swallows and Amazons and Dick and Dorothea decide to hunt for in the hills high above the lake. But it’s a hot and dry summer and water is in scarce supply. Worse still for the troubled campers, they have competition: Squashy Hat. Anybody can see he is a prospector. And talk about squashy hats! The children have never seen squashier. Just who is he and what sort of traps is he laying? Using pigeons to carry messages, braving dangerous mines and fires, the Swallows, Amazons and D’s Mining Company must stake their claim before their dreaded rival... 
 
Includes exclusive material: In ‘The Backstory’ you can test your knowledge of the book and learn all about homing pigeons! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Pigeon Post

Penelope Farmer

'Suppose you got stuck in here, and Clare there in your time. Just suppose you did?’ 
 
Charlotte Makepeace’s first day at boarding school is a bewildering blur of unfamiliar faces, timetables, rules and lists. All the other girls know the routine – and each other. No one invites her into their exclusive circles of whispers and giggles. 
 
But on Charlotte’s very first night something mysterious starts to happen. She wakes up in the same bed, in the same dormitory, in the same school. But something has changed. Somehow Charlotte has slipped forty years back in time... 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can learn what life was like during the First World War 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Charlotte Sometimes

Noel Streatfeild

If you love Noel Streatfeild&rsquo;s Ballet Shoes, you&rsquo;ll adore The Bell Family. 
 
'Well, little people, what's the news?&rsquo; 
 
Meet the big, happy Bell family who live in the vicarage at St Marks. 
 
Father is a reverend; Mother is as kind as kind can be. Then there's all the children &ndash; practical Paul, dancing Jane, mischievous Ginnie, and finally the baby of the family, Angus, whose ambition is to own a private zoo (he has already begun with his six boxes of caterpillars). And not forgetting Esau, a surefire competitor for the most beautiful dog in Britain. 
 
Follow their eventful lives from tense auditions to birthday treats; from troubled times to hilarious escapades. The perfect Christmas gift for ballet-loving children. 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can find out which one of the Bell children you most resemble!

The Bell Family

Bruce Carter

Brighton is braced for war. It’s a time in history that never happened, and England’s coast has become the front line of the Second World War. Rolls of barbed wire line Brighton Beach, soldiers scan the horizon, people wait nervously for an attack. When an emergency evacuation is announced, people hurry to pack up and get out, but in the panic Drake, Gillian and Sammy miss the last train… 
 
And then, one night, in the deserted city, the pier mysteriously lights up. Which leaves the children wondering – who else got left behind? 
 
In the Backstory you can find out more about the Second World War and hear from Deborah Moggach, the author's daughter, what inspired this wartime tale! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from Peter Pan and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Children Who Stayed Behind

'You’ll start with a blank map, that doesn’t do more than show roughly what’s water and what isn’t’ 
 
When the Walker family’s holiday plans are ruined by Daddy having to work, the whole summer seems lost at sea. But a dull holiday for the children is too miserable to bear so their parents hatch a plan. The Swallows are to be marooned on an island with only a blank map and a little sailing dinghy. Their task? To explore and chart the area, avoid the endless mud and survive. And what do they discover? Well, they might not be as alone as they first thought… 
 
Includes exclusive content: In the 'Backstory' you can find out about some real life explorers! 
 
 Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from Peter Pan and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Secret Water

Joan Aiken

‘Wait, wait! Save us! What’ll we do?’ 
 
Simon is determined to become a painter when he grows up so he sets off to London to make his fortune. But the city is plagued by wolves and mysterious disappearances. The Twite household, where Simon is lodging, seems particularly shifty. Before he even gets a chance to open his glistening new paints Simon stumbles right into the centre of a plot to kill the King. And worse than that Simon is kidnapped and sent to sea! Luckily there are two friendly stowaways aboard – the feisty Dido Twite and the spoiled young Justin. But when the ship catches fire things look pretty dire. Can they escape? Will they save the king in time? 
 
BACKSTORY: Test your knowledge of Black Hearts in Battersea and play the name game.

Black Hearts in Battersea

The Brothers Grimm

‘Once upon a time…’ 
 
Once upon a time there was a book, and inside the book were princes who had been turned into frogs or ferocious beasts, princesses so beautiful they astonished the sun, faithful sweethearts and evil stepmothers, giants taller than mountains and a boy no bigger than your thumb, houses made of bread and cake and birds made of gold - in fact, all manner of mysterious, monstrous and magical things. The book is in your hands. Read it happily ever after. 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can learn to make your own gingerbread! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Grimms' Fairy Tales

Andre Maurois

'Two Surface-dwellers. Two! He’s a Fattypuff and you’re a Thinifer. There’s no doubt about it!’ 
 
This is the tale of two brothers. Edmund is a little on the plump side and Terry is a bit of a rake. When they discover the countries under the Earth they are divided and sent to the warring kingdoms of the Fattypuffs and the Thinifers. The Fattypuffs eat hourly with light snacks in between. The Thinifers like nothing more than discipline and work six days a week. Whether you are a jolly Fattypuff or a driven Thinifer you’ll be rooting for the brothers to bring peace to the countries under the Earth. 
 
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can take the quiz to find out if you’re a Fattypuff or a Thinifer! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Fattypuffs and Thinifers

John Boyne

Discover an extraordinary tale of innocence, friendship and the horrors of war. 
 
'Some things are just sitting there, minding their own business, waiting to be discovered. Like America. And other things are probably better off left alone' 
 
 Nine-year-old Bruno has a lot of things on his mind. Who is the 'Fury'? Why did he make them leave their nice home in Berlin to go to 'Out-With' ? And who are all the sad people in striped pyjamas on the other side of the fence? The grown-ups won't explain so Bruno decides there is only one thing for it - he will have to explore this place alone. What he discovers is a new friend. A boy with the very same birthday. A boy in striped pyjamas. But why can't they ever play together? 
 
‘A small wonder of a book’ Guardian 
 
 BACKSTORY: Read an interview with the author JOHN BOYNE and learn all about the Second World War in Germany.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Malorie Blackman

Laura Barrett

Malorie Blackman retells 'Bluebeard'. A Fairy Tale Revolution is here to remix and revive our favourite stories. These twists on familiar tales make the perfect Christmas gift. 
 
'Please don't even try to get down to the basement. Just leave it alone - okay? Otherwise you'll ruin things for both of us...' 
 
Nia has met the man she wants to marry. Marcus is kind, clever and handsome, with a beard so dark it is nearly blue-black. Nia demands a single promise from him - that Marcus will never enter her study in the basement, her private space. 
 
But when Marcus's curiosity begins to mount Nia feels more and more uneasy. Will he betray her? Can he accept that no means no? Can a woman ever have a room of her own?

Blueblood

A Fairy Tale Revolution

biblio.categories.code

biblio.publicationStatus

biblio.brand

biblio.workEditions.format

biblio.ageRange

biblio.series.seriesName

biblio.imprint.description

biblio.type

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

Search Results

East of Eden

White Nights

Wuthering Heights

Reading lists

Where to start reading Salman Rushdie

Features

Reading guide: Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

News

Salman Rushdie to publish memoir KNIFE

A guide to magical realism

7 summer must-haves for non-fiction readers from Vintage

Here, from Anita Desai to Salman Rushdie, are five books about families, India, marriage and the rest, to keep you going as the series moves on.

Books you'll love if you're enjoying A Suitable Boy

Uncategorized

Vintage books to gift this Father's Day

Vintage Children's Classics for kids and grown-ups

Image showing some of the best books of 2024, including Think Again, PATRIOT, The City and its Uncertain Walls and An African History of Africa

Must-read books of 2024: A look back at the year's most exciting releases

The 2025 Vintage Christmas Book Gift Guide 

A decorative banner featuring a portrait of Simon Prosser and a collage of images like a nuclear explosion and a graffiti peace sign

The Penguin books that shocked society

A quote from Albert Camus reading "All that I know most surely about morality and obligations I owe to football", in yellow and white letters against a green football pitch background.

11 literary quotes about the beautiful game

Books they tried to ban

An illustration of a semi-colon looking in the mirror, only to see other punctuation

Semi-colons; or, learning to love literature's most misunderstood punctuation

An image with a headshot of author Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. She is on top of a pink and yellow collage style background with bold typography that says '21 Questions'. There is an image of her book City of Stolen Magic, two snooker balls and a cue, and a yellow mug.

Interviews

'Children's literature can tell the most profound stories': 21 Questions with Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Previous Booker Prize-winning books lined up on a shelf

18 Vintage books that have won the Booker Prize

Where to start reading Julian Barnes

The 1980s was a decade of massive social, political and cultural change. 

Books that shaped the 1980s

Flat lay of 9 Vintage Classics books about mothers and motherhood, against a white textile background.

Showing results for: ‘Salman-Rushdie’

Filters

Category

Age

Publication Date

Format

Series

Imprint

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter