This week, we’re joined by the team at Nosy Crow to celebrate the launch of the latest retelling of a children’s classic: The Secret Garden. As part of this activity, Nosy Crow is offering 5 lucky readers the chance to win a Secret Garden bundle. Plus, we’ve brought you a fabulous Q&A with the best-selling author behind this retelling. But first, Nosy Crow shares with us some ideas around how best to introduce children to classic children’s books…
We all remember our favourite stories from when were little. Sometimes they were filled with talking animals, magical creatures or hidden worlds and sometimes they simply told us about the lives of girls and boys that reminded us of ourselves. As a parent, there is something really special about being able to introduce your children to the classic books you loved and read over and over again.
Our little ones might still be a bit young for some of the true classics, but there are some great adaptations out there for younger readers that can get them started early on.
The Secret Garden – retold by Geraldine McCaughrean with illustrations from Margarita Kukhtina
Few children’s classics are as well-known as The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We all wanted to follow a robin to a locked door and discover a hidden garden which seemed filled with magic. This picture book edition is fully illustrated and retold by award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean for children aged 5 and over. Join contrary Mary Lennox as she’s sent from India to live with her uncle at gloom Misselthwaite Manor and follow her through the hidden door in the wall. You’ll find that making friends can be every bit as life-changing as a magical garden, just as Mary did.
Get the book: https://nosycrow.com/product/the-secret-garden/
Look inside: https://issuu.com/nosycrow/docs/secretgarden_ints_final
Peter Pan – retold by Caryl Hart with illustrations from Sarah Warburton
This retelling of J.M Barrie’s beloved classic takes the adaptation one step further because it’s retold in rhyme, making it all the more accessible for children aged 3 and over. The story of Peter Pan remains the same and you’ll meet all your favourite characters like the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell and Captain Hook. Little readers will be dreaming of flying to Neverland as soon as you tuck them into bed.
Get the book: https://nosycrow.com/product/peter-pan/
Look inside: https://issuu.com/nosycrow/docs/peterpanins_txtblk_fogra39_p9
Heidi – retold by Jeanne Willis with illustrations from Briony May Smith
If your pre-schooler loves being outside in nature, they might fall in love with Johanna Spyri’s story about Heidi who was sent to live in the Swiss Alps with grumpy Grandpa! Watch them marvel at the mountains are and giggle at the goats in this picture book edition perfect for ages 3 and up. They’ll embark on a true adventure with Heidi and her best friend Peter, especially when she moves away to a city full of soot and smoke but longs to return to her true home in the mountains.
Get the book: https://nosycrow.com/product/heidi/
Look inside: https://issuu.com/nosycrow/docs/heidi__ins_final
Following Frankenstein by Catherine Bruton
Not an exact retelling of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece but an imaginative sequel to Frankenstein, making this historical adventure a great introduction to the classic for curious readers aged 9 to 12. Maggie Walton’s father has dedicated his life to hunting down the monster created by Victor Frankenstein. He’s staking everything on one last voyage to the Arctic and Maggie secretly follows him. But there they make a shocking discovery: Frankenstein’s monster has a son…
Get the book: https://nosycrow.com/product/following-frankenstein/
Look inside: https://issuu.com/nosycrow/docs/repro_followingfrankenstein_ins