By Edith Nesbit (author) , Chita Erayanie (illustrator) Part of the Puffin Classics series
"A classic story of resilience, resourcefulness and the kindness of strangers."
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
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First published in 1906, The Railway Children is a story that many adults will know well, not least through the much-loved film adaptation. Now reissued as part of Puffin's Classics series with new illustrations by Chitra Erayanie, it is available for a new generation of young readers to discover the original text.
The book tells the story of three children, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter, whose comfortable London life is abruptly upended when their father disappears under mysterious circumstances. The family moves to a small cottage in the Yorkshire countryside, where the railway and its comings and goings become central to their daily lives and adventures. It is a story of resilience, resourcefulness and the kindness of strangers, and the children at its heart are brave, gutsy and engaging companions for the reader.
It is important, however, to approach this book with a clear sense of its historical context. Written before either of the World Wars, it offers a vivid snapshot of an England that is very different from today. The railways were still a relatively recent development and represented genuine excitement and possibility.
The class system was firmly in place, women had not yet gained the vote, and attitudes towards the roles and place of women in society went largely unquestioned. Some of these views will feel outdated and even uncomfortable to a modern reader, and younger children in particular are likely to need some guidance and explanation from a parent, carer or teacher when encountering them.
That said, the book offers a wonderfully evocative picture of the English countryside and of a period of significant change and development in the nation's history. It has inspired generations of readers and continues to influence writers today.
Read with appropriate context and discussion, The Railway Children is a genuine classic that rewards the effort. It is best suited to confident readers of nine and above who have some appetite for historical fiction and the world it reflects.
Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming new reillustrated edition of The Railway Children.
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Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming new reillustrated edition of T he Railway Children .
When Father is taken away unexpectedly, Roberta, Peter, Phyllis and their mother have to leave their comfortable life in London to go and live in a small cottage in the country. The children seek solace in the nearby railway station, and make friends with Perks the Porter and the Station Master himself.
Each day, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis run down the field to the railway track and wave at the passing London train, sending their love to Father. Little do they know that the kindly old gentleman passenger who waves back holds the key to their father's disappearance.
One of the best-loved classics of all time, with a wonderful introduction by Jacqueline Wilson.
Edith Nesbit (1858 – 1924) was a mischievous, tomboyish child who grew up to be an unconventional adult. She and her husband were founder members of the socialist Fabian Society and their home became a centre for socialist and literary discussion. Their friends included some of the time’s greatest writers and thinkers, including George Bernard Shaw and H G Wells.
Everything about Edith showed her as a woman trying to break out of the mould demanded by English society at the time – she expressed her individuality through her clothes, hairstyle, lifestyle and her habit of speaking forcefully on almost any subject. She lived her socialism and late in life her charitable deeds brought her close to bankrupcy.
E Nesbit – she always used the plain initial for her writing and was sometimes thought to be a man – started to write for children after years of successful writing for adult magazines. She was asked to write about her childhood but instead of facts chose to describe her happy girlhood in fiction. The result was books still read today, firm bestsellers for decades. She was brilliant at combining real-life situations with elements of fantasy and humour. Films – such as The Railway Children - have kept her stories in the public eye and her magical fantasies, including Five Children and It, continue to delight each new generation of children.
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Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming new reillustrated edition of The Railway Children.When Father is taken away unexpectedly, Roberta, Peter, Phyllis and their mother have to leave their comfortable life in London to go and live in a small cottage in the country. The children seek solace in the nearby railway station, and make friends with Perks the Porter and the Station Master himself.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Railway Children (Puffin Classics) and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Railway Children (Puffin Classics) features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Stories about Family and Friends, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Railway Children (Puffin Classics) was written by Edith Nesbit and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
The Railway Children (Puffin Classics) has 336 pages
Yes it is part of Puffin Classics series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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