Mary Sebag-Montefiore – författare

Johanna Spyri's Heidi is beautifully retold, following the exploits of the orphaned girl sent to live in the Alps with her grumpy grandfather. Part of Young Reading Series 2 for readers growing in confidence, with clear, engaging text and stunning original illustrations. Developed in conjunction with reading experts from Roehampton University. Also available with an audio CD with a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.

A captivating retelling of Anna Sewell's classic novel beautifully illustrated by Alan Marks. Perfect for encouraging independent reading. Part of Young Reading Series 2 for readers growing in confidence. Also available with an audio CD with a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.

Oliver is growing up in an orphanage... until the day he dares to ask for more. Suddenly, he is cast out into a world of colourful characters, in which he will have to keep his wits about him and even pick pockets to survive. A retelling of the classic story by Charles Dickens, for children growing in their reading confidence and ability. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme, developed with reading experts from Roehampton University.Chapters in this book include:- Nobody's baby- More means less- Running away- New friends- Betrayed- A robbery- The secret of the locket

The enchanting classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Mary Lennox feels forlorn and lonely in her uncle's gloomy house on the moors. But behind an old ivy-covered wall is a garden, waiting to be discovered. Beautifully illustrated by Alan Marks, winner of the Carnegie Medal. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Aimed at children whose reading ability is beginning to grow, building confidence and ability. "The Railway Children" is a re-telling of the beloved E. Nesbitt story following the story of three children growing up after their father is wrongly accused of spying. It is evocatively illustrated by Alan Marks. It is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, who is a senior lecturer in education and an early reading specialist from Roehampton University.

A captivating retelling of Anna Sewell's classic novel beautifully illustrated by Alan Marks, perfect for encouraging independent reading. This title is part of Series Two of the Usborne Young Reading Programme, specially written for readers growing in confidence. The audio CD includes a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.

A beautifully illustrated collection of five classic Charles Dickens' stories, retold for younger readers. Includes 'Oliver Twist', 'Bleak House', 'Great Expectations', 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'David Copperfield' as well as a short biography of the great author himself. With internet links to find out more about the life and times of Charles Dickens.Chapters in this book include:- Oliver Twist- Bleak House- Great Expectations- A Tale of Two Cities- David Copperfield- The life and times of Charles Dickens

A dramatic adaptation of the much-loved classic by Charlotte Bronte, with atmospheric illustrations by Alan Marks. It is the compelling story of Jane Eyre and the mysterious Mr. Rochester, sensitively retold for younger readers.

The much-loved classic story by L.M. Montgomery, specially retold for children ready to tackle longer and more complex stories. From the day red-headed 'Anne-with-an-e' unexpectedly arrives at Green Gables, life is never the same again... Includes a short biography of the author and beautiful watercolour illustrations throughout. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts.Chapters in this book include:- The orphan- Anne loses her temper- A best friend... and a worst one- The disastrous tea party- Anne to the rescue- A concert and puffed sleeves- Vanity and vexation- Love, loss and friendship

This luxurious anthology of stories from all Shakespeare's plays, with beautiful illustrations and quotations, is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare. With stories of love, loss, joy and heartbreak, this collection will captivate young children with every page. The perfect book for children studying The Bard, or those who simply enjoy reading wonderful stories.Each story includes short details about the main characters, and famous and memorable quotations from the play. With a padded hardback cover, a ribbon marker and traditional binding, this is a fabulous book that will be referred to again and again, by both children and adults.

This beautifully illustrated collection contains all of Jane Austen's novels retold for young readers, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, with notes on the characters and quotations from the original text. With links to websites to find out more about Jane Austen's life and times.

Forgotten Fairy Tales of Kindness and Courage breathes new life into a collection of once much-loved, now forgotten tales, beautifully retold by Mary Sebag-Montefiore. A disabled prince fights for his kingdom, and learns the importance of understanding others. A princess finds the courage to rescue her friend from goblins. A girl steps into the world of a book, only to find what it means to be herself. Full of magic and enchantment, these stories celebrate kindness, courage and the importance of being true to yourself. With a foreword by Dr Zoe Williams, NHS GP, TV presenter and health educator.Chapters in this book include:- Foreword (Dr. Zoe Williams)- The Prince in the Tower (based on a book by Dinah Craik)- The Cuckoo Clock (Mary Molesworth, who wrote it under the pen name, Ennis Graham)- The Girl in the Book (Maud Stawell)- The Princess and the Goblins (George MacDonald)- The Water Babies (Charles Kingsley)- Amelia and the Elves (Juliana Ewing)- The Ruby Ring (Mary Molesworth)- About the Stories- Afterword from the Editors

Follow Alice and the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and join in with their madcap adventures. Part of the Usborne Young Reading series, this retelling of Lewis Carroll's enduring and popular nonsensical tale is ideal for newly independent readers.

Frank L. Baum's classic has been specially adapted for this wonderful, fully illustrated edition at the highest level of the Reading Programme. Enjoy Dorothy's journey in Oz, as she travels along the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, before coming safely home again.

It is the unlikely heroes in stories that are sometimes the most inspiring of all. Stories about someone small, and seemingly unimportant or overlooked, who ends up being the one to stand tall. This collection of seven fairy tales, once much loved, now forgotten, breathes new life into old tales: a farm girl outwits an ogre, an old man wins fame for his kindness, while a girl discovers that what makes her different is also what makes her so special. This magical collection will bring inspiration to a new generation of readers and act as a reminder that anyone, no matter how small, can make a difference.Chapters in this book include:-East of the Sun, West of the Moon (based on a Norwegian fairy tale, first collected by Peter Christen Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe)-The Enchanted Forest (based on an Estonian tale, collected by Andrew and Nora Lang and included in "The Violet Fairy Tale Book", as "A Tale of the Tontlawald")-Tatterhood (based on a Norwegian fairy tale collected by Peter Christen Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe)-The Bag of Dreams (from a book called "The House with the Twisting Passage" by Marion St. John Webb, first published in 1922)-Eagleboy (adapted from "The Crimson Fairy Book", by Andrew and Nora Lang, first published in 1903)-Kate and the Ogre (based on "The Ogre Courting" by Juliana Ewing)-The Gifts of Walidad (based on a story originally from northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, retold in Andrew and Nora Lang's "The Brown Fairy Book", first published in 1904)

Who wouldn't want to spend their days simply messing about on the river? Follow Mole on his adventures with his new friends, dreamy Ratty, wise Badger and the infamous Mr. Toad, as they venture into the Wild Wood and battle stoats and weasels to recapture Toad Hall.

This heartwarming collection of fairy tales celebrates the power of hope, and gently encourages questions about what happiness really means.Meet a brave princess who brings happiness to her kingdom by forging her own path, two children on a quest to discover the meaning of happiness, and a magician's daughter who discovers the power of positivity.Featuring diverse, inspiring and empowering characters, each story centers around a celebration of hope and happiness.Beautifully illustrated throughout, these seven stories have been re-imagined to inspire a new generation of readers. Chapters in this book include:- Introduction- The Last Dragon (based on 'The Last of the Dragons' by Edith Nesbit)- The Magic Weather Boy (adapted from 'Fairies Afield' by Mary Louisa Molesworth)- The Bluebird of Happiness (adapted from 'The Blue Bird' a children's play by Maurice Maeterlinck)- The Magician's Daughter (adapted from 'The Spell of the Magician's Daughter' by Evelyn Sharp)- The Wanderings of Caspian (based on Mary De Morgan's fairy tale of the same name)- The Badly Behaved Princess (inspired by 'The Magic Medicine' by Denis Mackail)- Where the Rainbow Ends (adapted from a children's play, by Emilie Mills and John Ramsey)- The Stories and their Writers

Discover seven beautifully-illustrated fairy tales that celebrate family, in all its forms, and the joy friendship brings.Meet Lizzie, who outwits goblins to save her sister, and best friends, Freddie and Jack, who overcome a witch. Discover an enchanted toy shop, an elfin grove and a world beneath the waves.This collection brings to life some of the most important parts of childhood with tenderness, beauty and a timeless magic.A wonderful gift book with gorgeous illustrations in hardback edition.Chapters in this book include:- Land and Sea (adapted from a poem by Matthew Arnold called The Forsaken Merman)- Best Friends (adapted from a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm)- Goblin Market (adapted from a poem of the same name by Christina Rossetti)- Sanjay and the Very Satisfactory Magic (adapted from The Aunt and Amabel by Edith Nesbit)- The Toy Princess (adapted from a fairy tale by Mary de Morgan)- The Beekeeper and the Hare (adapted from a folk tale from the Highlands of Scotland)- The Elfin Grove (adapted from a fairy tale 'Die Elfen' by the German writer Ludwig Tieck)- The Stories and their Writers- Afterword from the Editor