Egmont Heritage Classics for Children - A List of Published Titles

A few years ago, I searched for a nice edition of The Box of Delights to read in the run up to Christmas. I was thrilled to discover this beautiful hardcover edition from Egmont Heritage Classics: a beautifully bound hardcover with quality pages and binding. As is wont to happen during the Christmas festivities, I forgot to search for other editions in this collection until now. A little research suggested that Egmont books had ceased to publish titles in this collection; some titles are still available to purchase new, while others are available through second-hand booksellers. 

In total, I've discovered 27 gorgeous titles in this collection, many of which feature delightful original illustrations and any one of which would be a great addition to a child's library or collection of classic literature. These titles are listed below, in order of publication date. 

Alternatively, you may like to download the free printable list to check off books as you add them to your collection.

The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The sun-kissed prairie stretches out around the Ingalls family, smiling its welcome after their long, hard journey across America. But looks can be deceiving and they soon find that they must share the land with wild bears and Indians. Will there be enough land for all of them?

Publication date: 01/10/2012

ISBN: 9781405264143

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Wild Wood seems a terrifying place to Mole, until he finds it’s full of friends - Kind, sleepy Badger; brave and lively Ratty; and the irresponsible Mr Toad, famous for his wealth and his car smashes. But there are also the sinister weasels and stoats, and they capture Toad Hall when Mr Toad is in jail. How will he escape? And can the friends fight together to save Toad Hall?

Publication date: 01/10/2012

ISBN: 9781405264150

The Box of Delights by John Masefield

A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a Box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and the Bishop are scrobbled up just before Christmas, he knows he must act alone . . .

Publication date: 01/10/2012

ISBN: 9781405264167

101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

Cruella de Vil is enough to frighten the spots off a Dalmatian pup. But when she steals a whole family of them, 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?

Publication date: 01/10/2012

ISBN: 9781405264174

National Velvet by Enid Bagnold

Velvet Brown is a 14 year old girl living in small coastal village in the 1920s. She dreams of owning and training horses one day. When she and her friend Mi see a piebald horse jump a five foot fence, they decide to follow Velvet's dream to ride in the Grand National. But will Velvet be allowed to ride in the race? And can The Pie really win the most prestigious prize in all of steeplechasing? A horse-racing classic, National Velvet has entertained generations of horse lovers with dreams of riding in races themselves.

Publication date: 01/10/2012

ISBN: 9781405264181

Classic Tales of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

This is the story of Babar the Elephant and his travels. When his mother dies, Babar decides to seek his fortune in the big city. Becoming king of his people isn’t always easy for Babar the elephant, but his patience and determination always help him to win the day.

Publication date: 05/11/2012

ISBN: 9781405264204

Classic Tales of Rupert by Alfred Bestall

This beautiful edition contains two classic Alfred Bestall stories: Rupert & The Mare’s Nest and Rupert & The Lost Cuckoo.

Publication date: 05/11/2012

ISBN: 9781405264228

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

In the nursery, only the toys that are old and wise truly understand what it means to be Real. The Velveteen Rabbit, a newcomer to the nursery, asks one of the most knowledgeable toys, the Skin Horse, what being real means. Real isn't how you're made, says the Skin Horse. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real. It doesn't happen all at once. You become... . And so begins the Velveteen Rabbit's journey towards becoming real - through the love of a child...

Publication date: 05/11/2012

ISBN: 9781405264211

Classic Tales of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde

The five stories in his collection for children show Wilde at his best; moving, witty and wise. In The Happy Prince , a grand but lonely statue recruits a swallow to help him give to people in need; In The Nightingale and the Rose , a small bird makes a great sacrifice for love; The Selfish Giant is a beautiful story of the triumph of kindness; The Devoted Friend is a morality tale told to a pompous water rat; and The Remarkable Rocket charts the rise and fall of a particularly arrogant firework at a royal wedding.

Publication date: 05/11/2012

ISBN: 9781405264235

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Michael and his dog Stella Artois are swept overboard from their parents’ ship and swept up onto the shore of a nearby island. Michael puts all his survival skills to good effect but how will he manage on his own as there seems to be no water or food to be found? Luckily, there is life on the island and when Michael wakes up he finds food and drink have been put out for him. Who is the mysterious man who brings it and can Michael trust him?

Publication date: 26/09/2013

ISBN: 9781405267373

The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively

James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage – with grounds that are great for excavations, and trees that are perfect for climbing – and stuff is happening. Stuff that is normally the kind of thing he does. But it's not him who's writing strange things on shopping lists and fences. It's not him who smashes bottles and pours tea in the Vicar's lap. It's a ghost – honestly. Thomas Kempe the 17th century apothecary has returned and he wants James to be his apprentice. No one else believes in ghosts. It's up to James to get rid of him. Or he'll have no pocket money or pudding ever again.

Publication date: 26/09/2013

ISBN: 9781405267366

The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

When bulldozers enter Farthing Wood, the animals must escape before their homes are destroyed. They promise to stick together and protect each other, but their journey is laced with danger. They are caught in a fire, they nearly drown in a river and their loyalty is put to the test.

Will their pact hold?

Publication date: 26/09/2013

ISBN: 9781405267335

The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton

When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to a new home, an Enchanted Wood is on their doorstep. And when they discover the Faraway Tree, that is the beginning of many magical adventures! You can join them and their friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy as they discover which new land is at the top of the Faraway Tree. Will it be the Land of Spells, the Land of Treats, or the Land of Do-As-You-Please?

Publication date: 26/09/2013

ISBN: 9781405267342

My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara

Dreamy unsuccessful Ken longs for a colt of his own - but his father, a Wyoming rancher, is adamant. So Ken befriends a mare. Flicka. links his life to hers and when he believes she has been shot, his interest in living ebbs.

Publication date: 26/09/2013

ISBN: 9781405267359

Fairy Tales from Many Lands, Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

This enchanting collection of fairy tales from around the world includes some well-known – and some lesser known – magical tales.  From England comes the tale of Jack the Giant-Killer, from France Sleeping Beauty. From Italy we have Cesarino and the Dragon , The Adventures of Little Peachling from Japan and

The Golden Apple-Tree and the Nine Peahens from Serbia.

Accompanied by the unmistakable illustrations of Arthur Rackham, this collection will delight a whole new generation of readers.

Publication date: 07/11/2013

ISBN: 9781405267410

Grimm's Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm

This captivating collection of magical tales collected by the Brothers Grimm features twenty enchanting fairy tales, including the tale of a snow-white princess, an evil trickster called Rumplestiltskin and a beautiful golden goose, complemented by the extraordinary, beautiful illustrations of Arthur Rackham,

Publication date: 07/11/2013

ISBN: 9781405267380

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

Have you ever wondered how the Leopard got his spots? How the Rhinosaurus got his skin? Or how the Alphabet was made? This witty and wonderful collection of Just So Stories embarks upon a fanciful voyage to unearth the answers to these very questions, and more.

Publication date: 07/11/2013

ISBN: 9781405267397

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see, standing before him, the most extraordinary little fellow. "Please," asks the stranger, "draw me a sheep." And the pilot realizes that when life's events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out pencil and paper…

Thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed the world forever for its readers.

Publication date: 07/11/2013

ISBN: 9781405264198

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 

When spoiled, rude Mary Lennox is sent to live in her uncle's lonely house on the moors, she is miserable and alone. Then one day she discovers the key to a locked garden, and she discovers the beauty that life can offer.

Publication date: 07/11/2013

ISBN: 9781405267403

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge

Katy Carr is mischievous, untidy and unruly.  Free to run wild around the countryside in which she has grown up, life for Katy is good – much to the continual dismay of her Aunt Izzie who is endlessly mending Katy’s broken clothes and tidying up her mess. But Katy has grand plans for her future, and can’t wait to grow up and fulfill her dreams.

However, disaster strikes when Katy has a terrible accident which changes everything. Will Katy learn to control her temper and be as good and kind as she had always dreamed of being?

Publication date: 09/10/2014

ISBN: 9781405271806

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Orphaned Anne has always dreamed of having a real home and family. When she is accidentally sent to Green Gables Farm to live with Mr and Mrs Cuthbert, she immediately knows that this will be home.  But will the Cuthberts feel the same?

Publication date: 09/10/2014

ISBN: 9781405271813

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum 

When a devastating tornado lifts up her house, Dorothy and her faithful dog Toto find themselves transported to a strange and beautiful land. Fearing they may never see home again, they set off on a magical journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, probably the only person who can help Dorothy find her way back to Kansas.

Publication date: 09/10/2014

ISBN: 9781405271783

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

It’s Christmas Eve in the March household, but this will be a Christmas like no other: their father is away fighting in the American Civil War and the March sisters and their mother must try to make ends meet until their father returns.

Publication date: 09/10/2014

ISBN:9781405271790

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear of very little brain, but thanks to his friends Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Christopher Robin, he’s never far from an adventure. In this story Pooh gets into a tight place, nearly catches a Woozle and heads off on an ‘expotition’ to the North Pole with the other animals.

Publication date: 06/11/2014

ISBN: 9781405271844

I am David by Anne Holm

David escapes from the concentration camp where he has spent his entire life and flees across Europe. He is utterly alone – who can he trust? What will await him? And all the while, how can he be sure that they won’t catch up with him . . .

Publication date: 06/11/2014

ISBN: 9781405271776

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Ebeneezer Scrooge is a cruel, mean, miserable old man. Safely tucked up on his bed one cold Christmas Eve, he has no care in the world for his poor employee Bob Cratchit  and his dying son Tiny Tim.

But Scrooge’s fortunes are set to change. He will soon receive a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future. This will be a Christmas that he will never forget …

Publication date: 06/11/2014

ISBN: 9781405271868

A Selection of Nonsense Verse by Edward Lear

Known as the father of the nonsense poem, Edward Lear paved the way for the likes of Lewis Carol’s Alice and Wonderland, Dr Zeus and Roger McGough and is much to thank for the form’s popularity.  Gently mocking the ridiculousness of human behaviour and Victorian convention, Lear’s deliciously silly verse has delighted children and adults for generations.

Publication date: 06/11/2014

ISBN: 9781405271820

Free Printable List of Egmont Heritage Classics for Children

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My favourite spooky reads for Autumn

As the nights draw in and we move closer to Halloween, my TBR pile fills up with spooky novels to suit the season. My preference for horror falls on the supernatural spectrum: demons, ghosts and vampires are common themes. While I'm always on the lookout for new fiction, there are several novels I turn to again and again for that satisfying spookiness. 

Here then are my favourite supernatural horror novels, in no particular order:

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

This 700-page tome remains one of my favourite books of all time, and one which I've re-read several times now. The basics of this story revolve around a girl/young woman with extraordinary powers in her attempt to stop a vampiric immortal named Charlie Manx who tempts children to Christmasland in order to kill them. 

Whether or not you've already watched the highly rated AMC series of the same name, I highly recommend you read NOS4A2 if you enjoy a great horror story!

Slade House by David Mitchell

This short book provides a very different take on the "Haunted House" story. Including several shorter stories which are linked by the titular house, this is unlike Mitchell's lengthier works but includes a character cameo who may be familiar to fans. 

My review of Slade House can be found on this page.

The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova

Another classic which deserves periodic re-reading, The Historian is inspired by Stoker's legend of Dracula, following a young woman who tracks her father across Gothic landscapes while striving to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance. Glorious descriptions and a creeping sense of unease ensure this is a must-read for fans of vampire fiction.

The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp

This book was recommended to me on a forum thread about truly terrifying reads. I can confirm without hesitation that The Last Days of Jack Sparks truly deserves this reputation! Containing found footage, demonic possession, extreme witticism and a protagonist you'll love to hate, this could well prove to be one of your all-time favourite horror novels!

My review of The Last Days of Jack Sparks can be read here.

Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker

This prequel to Dracula was inspired by the notes and documents Bram Stoker left behind, and is a wonderfully written vampire novel in it's own right. Read this if you enjoy your vampire literature with a Gothic twist!

Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver

Paver is most widely known for her masterpiece, Dark Matter; however I prefer her more recent novel, Wakenhyrst, which is set in the gothic landscape of Edwardian England. 

The setting of a haunted manor house, surrounded by atmospheric fens and doused in folklore make this a perfect read for gloomy evenings by candlelight.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

If a book invokes the spooky atmosphere of October, it is Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes!

It is a beautifully written, coming of age tale featuring a true battle between good and evil when the circus comes to a sleepy American town. An absolute must-read for autumn, preferably out loud while sat around a camp fire at night. 

Rawblood by Catriona Ward

If there is one book in this list I recommend above all others, it is Rawblood by Catriona Ward. 

This masterful novel follows the life and decline of main protagonist, Iris, as she struggles against the disease (or curse) of her family line. Deeply gothic, at times disturbing, with an all-encompassing sense of dread, the story culminates in a perfectly executed and satisfying ending which horror rarely can. 

What are your favourite spooky reads?

I'm always looking out for recommendations to add to my ever-growing TBR list. Personal recommendations are far more meaningful than Google and Goodreads search lists, so please feel free to share your own favourites by leaving a comment below.

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The Books which Inspired Studio Ghibli Films

It may surprise you to know that many of Studio Ghibli's catalogue of films originate from literary sources. Howl's Moving Castle and Arietty are among the adaptations most people are aware of, yet we've discovered that 13 of the studio's 22 feature films find their origins in books.

Here is a list of those films which have been adapted from the printed page for anime by the Japanese giant of animation.

Grave of the Fireflies

This semi-autobiographical short story was written by the by Japanese author Akiyuki Nosaka in 1967 (later published as a novel including other short stories) and was adapted for the big screen by Studio Ghibli in 1988. This is a heartbreaking story, both on the screen and the page, as it is based on the author's experiences before, during, and after the firebombing of Kobe in 1945.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service is based on the popular Japanese children's novel, Witches Express Home Delivery (魔女の宅急便 or Majo no Takkyūbin in Japanese) which was written by Eiko Kadono and illustrated by Akiko Hayashi. First published in 1985, the novel won numerous literary awards in Japan and was adapted as the anime feature we know and love in 1989.

Kadano has written four more novels and a book series, the most recent of which was published in 2009.

Both the book and the film follow the same basic story: Kiki is a thirteen year old witch who must spend a year on her own in a town without other witches, accompanied by her black talking cat, Jiji. The film version has a much deeper story than the simpler children's book.

Something interesting to note is that the Japanese word takkyūbin (宅急便, literally home-fast-mail) is a trademark of Yamato Transport, though it is used today as a synonym for takuhaibin (宅配便, literally home-delivery-mail). Although permission to use the trademark was not required under Japanese law, the publishers of Witches Express Home Delivery chose to request this from Yamato Transport. Not only did the company readily approve the use of their trademarked word, they enthusiastically sponsored the anime film version of the book, particularly as their logo uses a stylised black mother cat transporting her kitten, which alludes to Kiki's black cat, Jiji.

Only Yesterday

The 1991 movie, Only Yesterday, is based on the manga novel of the same title by Hotaru Okamoto. Unlike many other Ghibli movies, this is a drama written for adults about the nostalgic daydreams of a young Japanese woman who has travelled from busy Tokyo for a stay in the countryside.

Ocean Waves

Ocean Waves is also known as I can Hear the Sea, and is based 1990 novel of the same name by Saeko Himuro. The film was made for television in 1993, and follows the same plot as the novel, in which a love triangle is formed between two good friends and a new girl who transfers to their high school from Tokyo.

Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart (known in Japanese as 耳をすませば or Mimi o Sumaseba) is a romantic drama with fantastical elements based on the manga of the same name by Aoi Hiiragi. The plot follows the life of a teenage bookworm who discovers the books she borrows from the library have all previously been read by the same boy. She begins to fall for this mysterious stranger, then a mysterious cat guides her to a shop where she meets someone who inspires her to write.

My Neighbours the Yamadas

This movie is based on a comic by Hisaichi Ishii that has been running in the Asahi newspaper since 1991, a collection of these strips has been made into a book.

Both the movie and comic strips present short "slice of life" episodes depicting the adventures of the Yamada family.

The Cat Returns

This is based on the novel Neko no Danshaku by Aoi Hiiragi, and may be considered a spin-off from Whisper of the Heart since it features Baron the cat, from the latter's plot.

Unlike Whisper, this is a more fantastical story in which a young girl rescues a cat while on her way home from school, only to find that she is honoured by the royal cat family and destined to become the next cat princess!

Howl's Moving Castle

This is based on the fantasy children's novel of the same name by Diana Wynne-Jones which was first published in 1986. It is the first of the Howl series of books, which also includes Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways, and bears several differences in plot.

In both the film and novel, the story follows a young woman named Sophie who is cursed by The Witch of the Waste to become an old woman and is unable to speak of it. In order to avoid her family, she heads out of town and becomes a cleaning lady for the wizard Howl, making a pact with the fire-demon Calcifer who promises to reverse her curse if she agrees to find a way to destroy the pact between him and Howl.

Tales from Earthsea

This movie is loosely based on a combination of plot and character elements from the first four books of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu), and is named after the collection of short stories of the same name.

It was directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Goro and is the only one of the Ghibli movies to receive a "rotten" rating on the film score site, Rotten Tomatoes. Although Le Guin initially stated that she considered it "a good movie", she later expressed her true feelings in an open letter to Japanese fans on her website.

Arietty

Arietty is based on The Borrowers by Mary Norton, about a family of tiny people who live secretly in the walls and floors of a typical household, borrowing items from humans to survive. Norton's novel is considered a classic children's story in the UK, and was originally published in 1952.

The Wind Rises

This film is adapted from Miyazaki's manga of the same name, which was in turn loosely based on both the 1937 novel The Wind Has Risen by Tatsuo Hori and the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which were used by the Empire of Japan during World War II.

When Marnie was There

The feature animation is based on the novel of the same name by Joan G. Robinson's 1967 novel of the same name, though the Ghibli version transports the setting from Norfolk in England to Hokkaido in Japan.

It is a gentle ghost story about a young misfit named Anna who has no friends and lives with foster parents. One day she meets a mysterious young girl named Marnie by the sand dunes, but soon Anna realises that her new friend is not all she seems to be.

How do you Live?

This final film (which could potentially be Miyazaki's last) is scheduled to be released in 2020, amd is based on the book of the same name by Yoshino Genzaburo. Originally this book was begun by the author Yūzō Yamamoto, who sadly passed away due to a sudden illness before he could complete the work which was due to be the final in the serial Nihon Shosan Bunko Bunko. Genzaburo took over to complete the novel which was finally published in 1937. Following the conclusion of World War II, the book underwent several changes and was republished in 1945 by Mira-sha. It has become a popular work in the study of the Liberal Arts in Japan. 

Which of these novels and manga have you enjoyed reading? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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