Dodie Smith – författare

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere.Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fading glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block.However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time.'I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers' Joanna Trollope**One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**

A gift edition of this classic tale of pups and villains, with vibrant illustrations by the award-winning Alex T Smith, creator of Claude.‘As comforting as hot buttered toast’ – GuardianTHE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANSWhen dastardly Cruella De Vil steals a whole litter of Dalmatian puppies to make a new fur coat, the puppies’ parents, Pongo and Missus, lose no time in mounting a daring rescue mission. Will they be in time to thwart Cruella’s evil scheme, or have they bitten off more than they can chew?THE STARLIGHT BARKINGThere’s a Dalmatian in Number 10 Downing Street. But when strange things start happening, Pongo and his family are in a race against time to save London … and the world.

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere.Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fading glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block.However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time.'I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers' Joanna Trollope**One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink" is the memorable first line of this enchanting coming-of-age story, told in the form of Cassandra Mortmain's journal. Cassandra wittily describes life growing up in a crumbling castle, with her father who suffers from crippling writer's block, her glamorous but ineffectual step-mother and her vain but beloved sister Rose. When two visiting Americans arrive, all of their lives are turned upside down, and Cassandra experiences her first love.This is a classic coming-of-age story, beloved of generations of teenage and adult readers, by Dodie Smith, who also wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Rebel Voices: Disruptive Stories from Trailblazing Women - a new Puffin Classics collection, celebrating International Women's Day 2023Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her family live in a beautiful, ramshackle castle - but sadly that's not quite as exciting as it sounds when you're having to use the barn door as a kitchen table, and new clothes are literally made out of old curtains . . .Determined to forge her own path, Cassandra practices her writing skills by keeping a diary - observing the eccentric comings and goings of her beloved-but exasperating family, and pondering what life may have in store for her. But things are about to get delightfully more dramatic with the arrival of two glamorous Americans - and soon the Mortmain's lives will never be the same again.Rebel Voices is a new six-part Puffin Classics collection of strikingly designed, highly collectible books, written by female authors, and celebrating courage, rebellion, strength and inspiration'Every time I meet someone who also loves I Capture the Castle, I know we must be kindred spirits' - Jenny Han, bestselling author of To All the Boys I've Loved Before'I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers' - Joanna Trollope'Everyone I've passed it on to has found it a hit - it works every time, for absolutely everybody' - Nigella Lawson

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers’ story comprehension and develop vocabulary.I Capture the Castle, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.The poor Mortmain family move to an old castle. Mr Mortmain’s daughter Rose wants a rich husband. Her sister, Cassandra, wants to be a writer like her father. But when the Mortmains meet their two rich neighbours, Simon and Neil Cotton, both Rose and Cassandra have their lives changed forever.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Dodie Smith's children's novel is brought to the stage by Glyn Robbins.

A special 32 page picture book adaptation of Dodie Smith’s much-loved classicstory, perfect for children aged 3 years and up. When Missis and Pongo’s darling Dalmatian puppies are stolen, they know just who to suspect … the evil Cruella de Vil! She’s enough to scare the spots off a pup and she would love nothing more than to turn them into a spotty fur coat!With the help of some fearless furry friends, the parents set off on a brave rescue attempt. But can the Dalmatian parents rescue their precious pups in time?This classic tale about a hundred and one spotty dogs has been adapted for the first time ever as a picture book. Peter Bently's fun adaptation of Dodie Smith's original text will introduce the story to a new generation, with gorgeous artwork from bestselling illustrator, Steven Lenton.Fan's of Dodie Smith's original story will love this new take on an old favourite – the perfect Christmas gift and classic bedtime story to enjoy together.Dodie Smith was an English children's novelist and playwright best known for the novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956), which was adapted into a 1961 Disney animated movie version.Peter Bently is the award-winning bestselling picture book author of Shark in the Dark, Lark in the Ark, The Great Dog Bottom Swap and Cats Ahoy! He won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011.StevenLenton is the illustrator of the bestselling Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series (Nosy Crow) which was both the Waterstones picture book of the month and The Times Children’s Book of the Week. Steven is originally from Congleton in Cheshire and now lives in London.

A determined young Lancashire girl arrives in London intent on a stage career - this tale from the author of I Capture the Castle is told with the candour and authenticity that derives from Dodie Smith's own experience of the theatre world. Mouse never did fully suit her nickname. Tiny she may have been, but timid never. After less than twenty-four hours in London she had bluffed her way into an audition at a famous theatre, infuriated its forceful young stage director, and amused its kind if quite amoral actor-manager. She had finally landed not a part but a toehold as a junior secretary. During her involvement in the engrossing affairs of the Crossway Theatre she met her friends Molly, a baby-faced six-footer; and elegant, ambitious Lilian, who was fated to clash disastrously with Mouse. Later, there was also Zelle, rich, generous, enigmatic, and responsible for an outing to Suffolk village pageant which proved a turning point for them all.Life was always surprising the fearless Mouse: when she unexpectedly got to a chance to act she made an unforgettable impression, though not the one she had intended. However, nothing prepared her for the assault of first love, highly unsuitable, but welcomed by her in a way which was to have far-reaching consequences. Only when she looks back after a reunion luncheon does she realise the full effects of that shared summer on her friends and herself. A startlingly frank yet nostalgic read, this is a charming novel about coming of age and the healing effects of time.

One of BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World. A wonderfully quirky coming-of-age story, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, author of The Hundred and One Dalmatians is an affectionately drawn portrait of one of the funniest families in literature.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is illustrated by Ruth Steed, and features an afterword by publisher Anna South.The eccentric Mortmain family have been rattling around in a vast, decrepit castle for years, gradually slipping into financial ruin. Mortmain is crippled by writer’s block, while his beautiful second wife Topaz struggles to be a dutiful stepmother to Rose, Cassandra and Thomas. Rose needs a husband, Thomas an education but Cassandra lives for her writing. Through her gloriously witty and shrewd diaries, she chronicles the trials of family life, the impact on their prospects of the arrival of a glamorous American family, and the agonies of falling in love for the first time.

From the author of I Capture the Castle and The Hundred and One Dalmatians, an unusual adventure in which humour and more than a touch of strangeness are inextricably blended.When Jane Minton arrives at Dome House as a secretary-housekeeper, she finds herself sharing the comfortable country home of four attractive young people. Their charming widower father, Rupert Carrington is too occupied with his London business to see very much of them. Richard, the eldest, is a composer; Clare, whose true talents (if they can be called that) have not yet disclosed themselves, dreams of courtly romance; Drew is collecting material for a novel; and Merry, still at school, has her heart set on a stage career. Jane is warmly welcomed into this happy household and feels her luck is too good to be true.However, the private world of Dome House is fated to break up as Rupert flees England under threat of prosecution for fraud. He asks Jane to break the news to the children, who must now fend for themselves, and to do what she can to help them. However, the Carringtons are extremely unusual young people and the story of the eclectic choices they make next is an absorbing and unpredictable one.

During a summer festival in an English spa town Miles Quentin, a distinguished actor, and his devoted wife become friendly with the local MP Geoffrey Thornton, and his young daughters Robin and Kit. All of these attractive, intelligent and busy people seem untroubled at first. But the surface of their lives conceals problems which start to come to light after the Quentin's return to their London theatre world and the Thornton's to their Westminster home. This leads to an unconventional love story in which loyalty may prove more important than love. It Ends with Revelations deals with complex issues of love and commitment, while retaining elements of the light hearted comedy of I Capture The Castle and the nostalgic charm of The Town in Full Bloom. As ever, the vivacity of Dodie Smith's writing and the warmth of her characters will keep readers guessing until the last page.

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere.Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fading glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block.However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time.'I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers' Joanna Trollope**One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere.Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fading glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block.However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time.'I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers' Joanna Trollope**One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**