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Adaptations of Shakespearian plays for young readers.

Adaptations of Shakespearian plays for young readers.

jack the giant

The yellow dwarf

TOM THUMB

THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

Today's Episode: Pandora

Today's Episode: Helen of Troy

Today's Episode: Monkey’s Gold

Today's Episode: The Tears of a Tigress

Today's Episode: The Bear’s Birthday Party

The Sheriff who Came to Dinner with Robin Hood

Robin Hood liked to invite guests to dine with him at his table in Sherwood Forest. If his guests were rich and powerful he would ask them to pay for their dinner with gold or jewels - But if they were poor or down on their luck, he would help them out with money from his own coffers. In this story, I’ll tell you how Robin entertained the Sheriff of Nottingham – who was very rich and powerful indeed.

Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood? He could make a claim to be the most famous Englishman who ever lived. His story has been told and retold many times. We have tried to stay true in spirit to one of the earliest ballads about the famous robber, A Gest of Robyn Hode."

This little known, but charming story by the Brothers Grimm is about a servant who learns to understand the speech of animals. He travels the world and does favours to creatures along the way. Then, when he needs help to win the hand of a princess, they come to his aid.

The story of a faithful old dog told by the Brothers Grimm. One day Sultan's master decides that the dog has grown too old to be useful and decides to get rid of him. Fortunately, Sultan has a friend, the wolf, who has a plan to help him out.

This amusing tale by the Brothers Grimm tells the tale of a boy whose parents called him “Dummy.” But he can’t have been all that much of a dummy, because he found a golden goose and made all the grandest people of the local town look like fools. Dummy’s secret strength was that he had a kind heart – but few others rated that highly.

By the Brothers Grimm In this beautiful story, a princess comes to the rescue of her brothers who have been turned into six swans. A vow of silence leaves her unable to defend herself against the most terrible injustice. She has to contend with not only a wicked stepmother, but a wicked mother-in-law too - which is surely less than fair, even by the standards of fairy tales.

This is a short and very sweet story about a Christmas gift. In fact it’s one of the very few traditional fairy tales with a Christmas theme.

This story by the Brothers Grimm has so many morals, it's hard to say which one is the main theme. There is the boastful miller who wants to appear important, there is the greedy king who threatens and bullies the miller's daughter - there is the daughter who makes a rash promise, and then there is the Rumpelstiltskin himself, magical, wild, and so full of rage when he loses his bet, that he comes to a NASTY END.

A fisherman catches a golden fish. When the fish announces that he is a prince under an evil spell, the fisherman throws him back into the sea. On his return to his hovel, his wife tells him that he should have asked the magical creature to grant him a wish, and so the fisherman returns to the sea to call out to the fish and ask that the lives of the impoverished couple should be transformed - but the better life that ensues is not quite enough for them.

This is a RATHER SCARY STORY. Children and adults might be a touch frightened by Natasha’s rendering of the wicked witch who wants to cook little Hansel and Gretel. But they will also be enraptured by Hansel and Gretel’s ingenuity as they triumph over evil.

This version of the classic story by The Brothers Grimm is from the Blue Fairy Book of Andrew Lang, published in 1889.

This is the fast paced tale of the Gingerbread Man who leapt out of the oven and ran away. In the 1890 version by Joseph Jacobs, the hero was Johnny-Cake, but we have changed him to the more familiar Gingerbread Man.

By the Brothers Grimm. Bertie likes stories about frogs - no doubt that's because he is one himself. It seems that many of you do too, as the Maiden and the Frog is one of our most popular stories. This version by the Brothers Grimm is slightly more elevated: it involves no ordinary young maiden, but a princess, who like other princesses is sweet, but very particular about certain things, especially about not kissing frogs.

These delightful stories created by the writer known famously as the Bedtime Story Man provide hours of endless enjoyment for readers both young and old. His daily newspaper column which he wrote without a break from 1912 through to 1960 featured a host of engaging characters and their lively pranks and doings.

In this charmingly illustrated volume, Reddy Fox, the young hero is sent to stay with his grandma. Grandmother Fox is the “wisest, slyest and smartest fox in all the country around” and she takes it upon herself to educate Reddy in the things that every fox should know! Thus begins a battle of wits between Farmer Brown, Farmer Brown's Boy, Reddy and Grandmother Fox. Interspersed with each story are tiny nuggets of valuable lessons on life—the dangers of pride and boastfulness, the value of friendship and loyalty, the perils of disobedience, nature's laws, kindness to others even though they may be our enemies and other such wonderful bits of folksy wisdom.

Born in 1874, Thornton Burgess was a passionate and keen American conservationist and naturalist who was brought up by his mother in straitened circumstances after his father's early death. The young Thornton worked at a variety of odd jobs to put himself through school and college and help his mother run the house. One of his jobs was located in a wooded area near the town and it was here that Thornton developed his passion for wildlife, nature and conservation.

He began writing stories on nature while working as an editorial assistant and they were received with great acclaim and enthusiasm the world over. His works were translated into many European languages while his daily radio broadcasts became a bedtime ritual for generations of children. Television adaptations of his stories were made in many countries, while a Japanese anime used many of his characters to wonderful effect.

By: Margery Williams (1881-1944)

The Velveteen Rabbit is a heartwarming tale about a toy rabbit who longs to become real. Through the eyes of a young boy who loves him dearly, the rabbit experiences the joys and sorrows of life as he learns what it truly means to be loved.

Margery Williams beautifully captures the innocence and wonder of childhood in this timeless story. The themes of love, friendship, and the power of imagination are richly woven throughout the narrative, making it a cherished classic for readers of all ages.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a beautifully written and beautifully illustrated book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. It's a story that reminds us of the enduring power of love and the magic that can come from believing in the impossible.

Overall, The Velveteen Rabbit is a touching and poignant story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. It's a book that will make you smile, make you cry, and make you believe in the enduring power of love.

CINDERELLA AUDIOBOOK

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland AudioBook 

SINBAD

MISSING IN CORNWALL

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

MERLIN

ILIAD THE TROJAN WAR