Classic Starts® – serie

“We said there was no home like a raft. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery…but you feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” Sail down the Mississippi with Huck Finn and the runaway slave, Jim. Twain’s beloved tale, with its folksy language, creates an indelible image of antebellum America with its sleepy river towns, con men, family feuds, and a variety of colorful characters.

Half wolf, half dog, White Fang fully understands the cruelty of both nature and humans. After nearly starving to death during the frigid Arctic winter, he’s taken in first by a man who “trains” him through constant whippings, and then by another who forces him to participate in vicious dogfights. Follow White Fang as he overcomes these obstacles and finally meets someone who offers him kindness and love.

A shipwreck. A sole survivor, stranded on a deserted island. What could be more appealing to children than Robinson Crusoe’s amazing adventure? Set in the 17th century, and unfolding over a 30-year period, it offers plenty of suspense and everyday detail about how Crusoe manages to stay alive. Additionally, it paints a fascinating portrait of the age—including references to slavery and Europe’s view of the “New World.”

Mary Shelley’s tragic story of a scientist who created a monster is perhaps even more compelling and meaningful today than when it was written nearly two centuries ago. From the bits and pieces of dead bodies, and the power of electricity, the brilliant Victor Frankenstein fashions a new form of life—only to discover, too late, the irreparable damage he has caused.

Since 1903, the escapades of Mole, his friend Water Rat, shy Badger, and Toad of Toad Hall have delighted children, and adults, too. Follow the winning foursome through the seasons as they sail the river, get lost in the Wild Wood, take off on a merry adventure in Toad’s colorful carriage, and rescue Toad Hall from a band of nasty marauding weasels.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor: these are just some of the strange and amazing stories that clever Scheherazade tells to captivate her husband, King Shahryar…and to save her own life. Each one is more fantastic than the last, filled with demons and dervishes, caliphs and genies, men transformed into dogs and monsters with eyes that glow. Like the king, children will find themselves enchanted by every tale.

Doctor Dolittle is a very special vet—because he knows how to talk to the animals! So when he hears that there’s a terrible sickness hurting all the monkeys in Africa, the good doctor knows he must go and help them. Soon he’s off on an exciting adventure across the seas in this superb retelling of Hugh Lofting’s beloved classic.

Call me Ishmael. These three famous words begin one of America’s most epic novels, a tale of one obsessed captain, his doomed crew, and an elusive white whale named Moby-Dick. The massive original, however, can be very hard for young readers to navigate. This beautifully abridged and adventure-filled version will thrill children and whet their appetite for the complete work—when they are ready to tackle it.

Several of the best-loved Roman myths are gathered in this one beautiful abridged collection, from “Romulus and Remus” (which tells how Rome came to be) to “Cupid and Psyche,” “Oedipus and the Sphinx,” and more. For easy reference, theres also a detailed list and family tree of all the important gods and goddesses right at the start.

This high interest/low vocabulary retelling of The Iliad introduces young readers to Homers thrilling epic tale. Set during the siege of Troy, and complete with duels, battles, larger-than-life characters like Achilles, and the famed Greek gods, The Iliad is truly the ultimate adventure story.

Explore the mysterious underwater world in this illustrated chapter-book retelling of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Professor Aronnax embarks on an underwater exploration, only to be captured by Captain Nemo, the head of a submarine with a mysterious backstory. As they travel through underwater forests filled with enormous sea creatures, Professor Aronnax can’t help but wonder: will he ever safely return to land? This retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to what is arguably Jules Verne’s most popular sci-fi novel. The book also includes discussion questions.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of A Little Princess, part of the Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Poor Sara Crewe. Once upon a time her beloved father pampered and adored her. But ever since he died, leaving her alone and penniless, she's been caught in the cruel clutches of Miss Minchin, the headmistress at the Select Seminary for Young Ladies, where Sara once studied. But no matter how terrible things get, Sara always has her imagination and goodness of heart to carry her through. This timeless tale of a poor orphan has won children's hearts for a century—and continues to be a favorite.

Travel worldwide in this illustrated chapter-book retelling of Around the World in Eighty Days, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Whether it’s by foot, camel, boat, or train, Phileas Fogg is determined to travel across the world in 80 days. Will he win his race against the clock? And who is the man following in Fogg’s footsteps wherever he goes? This retelling is the perfect way to introduce the joy of traveling to young readers. The book also includes discussion questions.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Frankenstein, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Mary Shelley's tragic story of a scientist who created a monster is perhaps even more compelling and meaningful today than when it was written nearly two centuries ago. From the bits and pieces of dead bodies, and the power of electricity, the brilliant Victor Frankenstein fashions a new form of life-only to discover, too late, the irreparable damage he has caused.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Gulliver’s Travels, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Through the eyes of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift’s unforgettable satire takes readers into worlds formerly unimagined. Visit four strange and remarkable lands: Lilliput, where Gulliver seems a giant among a race of tiny people; Brobdingnag, the opposite, where the natives are giants and Gulliver puny; the ruined yet magical country of Laputa; and the home of the Houyhnhnms, gentle horses far superior to the ugly humanoid Yahoos who share their universe.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Oliver Twist, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Dickens’s timeless novel transports young readers to a colorful Victorian England filled with mistreated orphans, grim workhouses, and gangs of thieving children. The hero finds himself in dire circumstances after he dares to ask for more food in the orphanage. Determined to make his way in the world, he escapes to London, where he becomes involved with criminals . . . and finally finds a real home. The Classic Starts® series has sold more than 8 million copies since it launched in 2004. These abridged, kid-friendly editions are the perfect way to introduce beloved stories to the next generation. Each book includes discussion questions by early childhood educator Arthur Pober, EdD.

The young puppet Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy. But whenever he tries to prove himself worthy of the transformation, he falls into mischief and laziness. Pinocchio must learn the hard way how to become honest, kind, and—above all—human. One of the most-translated works in children’s literature, Pinocchio is a thrilling story about improving one’s character and learning how to live in an often-harsh world.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Robinson Crusoe, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Young and impulsive, Robinson Crusoe thinks only of adventure and comradery when he runs away to become a sailor. Instead, he finds himself marooned on a deserted island, the sole survivor of a horrible shipwreck. Follow the castaway's absorbing struggle for survival, as seen through his own eyes.

Run with the jungle animals in this illustrated chapter-book retelling of The Jungle Book, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Mowgli has lived among his wolf brothers for as long as he can remember. Baloo and Bagheera teach him the ways of the jungle, but some animals view him as a threat—or, even worse, as prey. Can Mowgli find a place where he truly belongs? This abridged retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to Mowgli’s life among elephants, giant snakes, and monkeys. The book also includes discussion questions.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of White Fang, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Half wolf, half dog, White Fang fully understands the cruelty of both nature and humans. After nearly starving to death during the frigid Arctic winter, he’s taken in first by a man who “trains” him through constant whippings, and then by another who forces him to participate in vicious dogfights. Follow White Fang as he overcomes these obstacles and finally meets someone who offers him kindness and love.

During the gold rush, Buck is snatched away from his peaceful home and brought to the harsh and bitter Yukon to become a sled dog. Will he adapt to life as a member of a sled pack? Or will his newly awakened instincts lead him to search for the freedom he has never known?

Camelot awaits! From the sword in the stone and the founding of Camelot to the famed Knights of the Round Table and the Lake of Enchantment, the legend of King Arthur endures. All the classic stories—including King Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere and Merlin’s tragic downfall at the hands of his enemy, Vivien—are included in this vibrant retelling.

Why does a burglar keep smashing statues of Napoleon? What is the speckled band? And who is the mysterious Irene Adler? Join Sherlock Holmes and his trusted friend Dr. Watson as they unravel the truth behind these cases and many more.

A shipwreck; a deserted island; a family wondering if they can survive. Rich in suspense and surprises, The Swiss Family Robinson entices young readers to come along on a wonderful adventure, where each moment brings a new thrill. Featuring amazingly resourceful characters and a landscape bursting with exotic wildlife and plants, it’s an irresistible tale of ingenuity.

Enter Sherwood Forest with the fabled Robin Hood and his band of merry men, and meet such unforgettable characters as Friar Tuck, Little John, Allan a Dale, the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham, and wicked King Richard. Every moment of the story is filled with action and excitement.

“One thing’s for certain, no house that Anne’s in will ever be dull.” That’s what Marilla Cuthbert says about Anne, the lively red-headed orphan she and her brother Matthew adopt. For decades, girls have agreed, eagerly reading every book in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s series that chronicles Anne’s coming of age.

Black Beauty is the classic horse story, a beautiful and touching tale told by the title character himself. Set in Victorian London, it follows Black Beauty’s life and changing fortunes as he moves from owner to owner. As the horse encounters new experiences and new friends who reveal their own histories, the story quietly paints a fascinating portrait of how animals were treated during that era.

When Heidi, an orphan, goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps, no one can imagine the solitary old man caring for a child. But the two grow to love each other, and Heidi blossoms in her new home. Johanna Spyri’s charming story—and spirited heroine—have won hearts for more than a century.

Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, set during the Civil War, has always captivated even the most reluctant readers. Follow the adventures of the four March sisters—Meg, Beth, Amy, and, most of all, the tomboy Jo—as they experience the joys and disappointments, tragedies and triumphs, of growing up.