Wordsworth Exclusive Collection (Paperbacks)
Wordsworth Exclusive Collection: Paperback Children's Classics
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Introduction
The “Wordsworth Exclusive Collection” is a collection of inexpensive paperback children’s classics, introduced by British publisher Wordsworth starting in 2021. They are glue-bound, and for the most part unillustrated, but their main attractive feature is the beautifully atmospheric gold-foiled cover illustrations. And, of course, the low price point is very attractive (RRP £3.99 on release). They are B-format paperbacks (a pretty standard size), measuring 198mm x 129mm.
Caution for online buyers. Check the cover before buying. Many titles in this series appear to have reused ISBNs from earlier cover designs, so if you are buying second hand copies you may get a different cover.
List of books
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
Wordsworth, 9781853261282.
A classic collection of brief animal fables and moral tales whose lessons have shaped European storytelling for centuries.
✎𓂃 Illustrated in black and white by Arthur Rackham; introduction by G.K. Chesterton.
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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Wordsworth, 9781840228120. Released August 2021.
The March sisters grow from childhood into adulthood through domestic trials, creative ambitions, illness, friendship and first love.
✎𓂃 This omnibus edition includes both Little Women and Good Wives.
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Andersen’s Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen
A collection of over forty tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling.
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Peter Pan by J M Barrie
Wordsworth, 9781853261206. Released August 2021.
Wendy, John and Michael follow Peter Pan to Neverland, where childhood adventure meets pirates, fairies and the ache of never growing up.
✎𓂃 This omnibus edition also includes Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and is illustrated with line drawings by Arthur Rackham.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Wordsworth, 9781840226942. Released August 2021.
Dorothy’s journey through Oz and a later Oz adventure combine bright fantasy, magical companions and Baum’s optimistic American fairy-tale world.
✎𓂃 This omnibus edition includes both The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Glinda of Oz.
Released August 2021. 9781840228250.
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A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Wordsworth, 9781853261367.
Sara Crewe’s imagination and dignity help her survive a sudden fall from pampered pupil to servant at Miss Minchin’s school.
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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Wordsworth, 9781840228205. Released August 2021.
Spoilt Mary Lennox discovers a locked garden, a hidden cousin and the restorative magic of friendship, nature and care.
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Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Wordsworth, 9781840228212. Released August 2021.
Alice tumbles into Wonderland and through the looking-glass into a world of riddles, nonsense, strange logic and unforgettable characters.
✎𓂃 This omnibus edition includes both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
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Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Wordsworth, 9781853261602
The mischievous wooden puppet Pinocchio stumbles through temptations, lies and adventures on his way to becoming a real boy.
✎𓂃 Translated by Mary Alice Murray.
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Wordsworth, 9781840228229. Released August 2021.
Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed after three spirits force him to confront the loneliness, cruelty and possible redemption of his life.
✎𓂃 Illustrated with line drawings by Arthur Rackham.
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Moonfleet by J. Meade Falkner
Wordsworth, 9781840228236. Released August 2021.
Young John Trenchard is drawn into smuggling, hidden treasure and dangerous loyalty on the Dorset coast.
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Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert
Wordsworth, 9781840228243. Released August 2021.
The adventures of Robin Hood, Little John and the Merry Men against the Sheriff of Nottingham and other enemies.
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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Wordsworth, 9781840228199/9781853261220. Released September 2021.
Mole, Rat, Badger and irrepressible Mr Toad wander through riverbank friendship, comic danger and the grand chaos of Toad Hall.
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Grimm’s Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm
Wordsworth, 9781853261015.
A selection of Grimm folk tales filled with forests, witches, princesses, enchantments and darker tests of courage.
✎𓂃 Translated/selected by Lucy Crane; illustrated with line drawings by Walter Crane.
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Irish Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs
Wordsworth, 9781840224344.
A lively introduction to Irish folklore, mixing comic tales, ancient heroes, fairy encounters and Celtic storytelling magic.
✎𓂃 Illustrated by John D. Batten; stories selected by Jennifer Chandler for The Folklore Society.
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The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Wordsworth, 9781853261190.
Mowgli’s life among wolves, Baloo, Bagheera and Shere Khan sits beside Kipling’s other animal tales of law, loyalty and survival.
✎𓂃 Also includes The Second Jungle Book.
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Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Wordsworth, 9781853261022.
Playful origin stories that explain, with comic rhythm and invented language, how animals acquired their familiar traits.
✎𓂃 Illustrated by the author.
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Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
Wordsworth, 9781853261404.
Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies retold in clear prose designed to introduce young readers to the plays.
✎𓂃 Illustrated with pen and ink drawings by Arthur Rackham.
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The Children of the New Forest by Captain Frederick Marryat
Wordsworth, 9781853261107.
Four orphaned children hide in the New Forest during the English Civil War and learn resilience, independence and forgiveness.
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Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
Wordsworth, 9781840228168. Released September 2021.
Imaginative, red-haired Anne Shirley upends Green Gables and Avonlea with mistakes, romance, ambition and irrepressible charm.
✎𓂃 Includes Anne of Avonlea.
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The Enchanted Castle by Edith Nesbit
Wordsworth, 9781853261299.
Children exploring a country estate discover a supposed sleeping princess and a magic ring that makes their make-believe dangerously real.
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Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit
Wordsworth, 9781853261244.
Five siblings find the Psammead, a sand-fairy who grants wishes that rarely turn out as expected.
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The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit
Wordsworth, 9781840228144. Released August 2021.
Roberta, Peter and Phyllis move to the countryside after their father disappears and find kindness, mystery and adventure beside the railway.
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Pollyanna & Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter
Wordsworth, 9781840226751.
Orphaned Pollyanna changes her aunt’s town through determined optimism, then faces the harder lessons of growing up.
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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Wordsworth, 9781840228137. Released September 2021.
A stranded airman meets a small prince from another planet in a fable about love, loneliness, and imagination.
✎𓂃 Includes the author’s illustrations. Translated by Irene Testot-Ferry.
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Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Wordsworth, 9781840228175. Released August 2021.
Black Beauty narrates his own life through kindness, cruelty and hard labour in a humane plea for compassion toward animals.
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Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Wordsworth, 9781853261251.
Orphaned Heidi’s goodness and love of the Alps transform the lives of her grandparents, Peter and Clara.
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English Fairy Tales by Flora Annie Steel
Wordsworth, 9781853261336.
Over forty English fairy tales gather giants, tricksters, nursery favourites and folk motifs.
✎𓂃 Includes pen and ink illustrations by Arthur Rackham.
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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Wordsworth, 9781840228113. Released August 2021.
Jim Hawkins sails into mutiny, piracy and buried treasure after discovering the map that leads to Captain Flint’s hoard.
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The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde
Wordsworth, 9781853261237.
Wilde’s fairy tales combine beauty, wit and heartbreak in stories of generosity, selfishness, sacrifice and love.
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