Audiobooks by Edith Nesbit

The Railway Children

Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis were quite happy living in their ordinary red-brick house located in the suburbs. But when their father was called away, the children and their mother were compelled to move to a dark, shabby cottage in the country, and their lives changed more then they ever could have imagined.At first the country seemed lonely and dull. Then one afternoon, a walk led them to a railway tunnel. There they met Perks, the porter, made friends with the kind Station Master, and waved to the Green Dragon train as it went by. Soon every day became filled with the excitement and fascination of the railway, and they became railway children. Since its first publication in 1906, The Railway Children has been one of the most popular and beloved children's books, and it is sure to charm many generations to come.

Edith Nesbit (Author), Johanna Ward (Narrator)

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Five Children And It

First written in 1902, this is one of Edith Nesbit's best loved children's stories. It all begins when a group of five children - Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane, and their baby brother, the Lamb - move from London to the countryside of Kent. While playing in a gravel pit, they discover a rather grumpy, ugly and occasionally malevolent sand-fairy known as the Psammead who is compelled to grant one wish of theirs per day. The effects of each wish last until sundown. All the wishes granted to the children go hilariously wrong. When they wish to be beautiful, nobody recognises them and they are shut out of the house. When they wish to be rich, they get a stack of gold coins but nobody will take them. When they wish for wings they find themselves stuck on a tall tower at sunset. When they wish that their baby brother was older, he turns into a grown-up and bosses them about. When Robert wishes he was bigger than the baker's boy (who has beaten him in a scrap) he becomes eleven feet tall. There are many more adventures... but you will need to listen and find out for yourselves....

Edith Nesbit (Author), Cathy Dobson (Narrator)

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The Book of Dragons, Volume 1

Albert Payson Terhune's story of Bruce, the collie, who starts out life as an ugly, ungainly type and grows up not only beautiful, but incredibly smart. Bruce protects The Mistress from evildoers and becomes a decorated war hero (WWI) before returning to The Home Place for a leisurely retirement amid the lovely trees and lakes. Bruce's story is told from the dog's perspective as well as the Master's. We join in the adventures as well as share in a few sorrows. One of Terhune's best that will bring a smile as well as a tear. Table of Contents: Chapter 1 - The Coming of Bruce Chapter 2 - The Pest Chapter 3 - The War Dog Chapter 4 - When Eyes Were No Use Chapter 5 - The Double Cross Chapter 6 - The Werewolf AUTHOR Albert Payson Terhune (1872 - 1942) was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of two writers, his Father also a prominent minister. Terhune had great success in two endeavors, writing and dog breeding. Originally a journalist, Terhune turned his family's summer home into a successful Collie breeding Kennel and devoted himself to writing fiction, mostly dog-themed. Quotes about Bruce i really enjoyed reading bruce again. it is a simple book told from the dogs perspective mostly, and all the more interesting, and different for it. told in language understandable to an older young reader, it won't put an adult asleep either. plenty of action here about bruce the collie's wartime career. the author owned 10 collies of his own, and it shows in his empathy, and understanding of his central character bruce. the story of bruce will be loved by all dog lovers for generations to come! (Amazon.com) This was a wonderful story of Bruce, who was born as a 'second', not originally of show quality, but who found a home with the Master and Mistress after a difficult start. The book starts with the story of a young boy who adopts Bruce's mother with his birthday money. The parents do not approve of the purchase because the dog is female (I don't understand what the problem was with female dogs in that era?) and the father works to get rid of the dog much to the heartbrake of the son. Bruce's mother is accidently shipped as a show dog to the Master and Mistress and has a litter of just 1 - Bruce. Eventually Bruce's mother is returned to the young boy, but Bruce remains with the Master and Mistress who grow to love him and even rescue him from a ""doctor"" who wants to perform experiments on him. Bruce is put into commission as a courier dog in WWI and much of the story focuses on his adventures in the war. I learned a lot about these war dogs through this book and have much appreciation for the service they provided to their human soldiers. I was surprised that the book turned out to be about Bruce and not his mother, but it was a wonderful story, I recommend it to any dog lover or even WWI enthusiast. (Amazon.com) "

Edith Nesbit (Author), Bobbie Frohman, David Thorn (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Railway Children

Father has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. Now Mother has moved Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis from London to an old English country house. Missing the hustle and bustle of the city, the children are ecstatic to find that their new home is near a railway station. Making friends with both the porter and the station master is great fun. So is waving to a kindly old gentleman who rides through on the 9:15 every morning. When mother gets sick, it is he to whom they turn for help. And later, when a fortunate twist of fate returns their father to them, they are surprised to find the old gentleman involved once again. Written by an unconventional woman whose friends included H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw, this classic has been popular since it was first published almost 100 years ago. Virginia Leishman's enthusiasm translates these adventuresome children into heroes for modern listeners.

Edith Nesbit (Author), Virginia Leishman (Narrator)

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The Book of Dragons

A princess is locked away on a remote island guarded by a dragon. Many suitors try and fail to save her, but one day a clever boy arrives. So begins `The Island of Nine Whirlpools`, one of Edith Nesbitt‘s eight dragon stories in `The Book of Dragons‘ (1899). The tales may be over a hundred years old, but they contain a timeless quality that ignites the imagination and creates a sense of wonder. Child or adult, these stories are written with such warmth and wit, anyone will find themselves laughing out loud with regular intervals. They may revoke a certain Tolkien feeling, and C.S. Lewis, who read Nesbitt‘s books as a child, was clearly inspired by her works.

Edith Nesbit (Author), Laurie Anne Walden (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Railway Children [With eBook]

Three children, forced to alter their comfortable lifestyle when their father is taken away by strangers, move with their mother to a simple cottage near a railway station where their days are filled with excitement and adventure. ** Please contact member services for additional documents.

Edith Nesbit (Author), Renee Raudman, Renée Raudman (Narrator)

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E. Nesbit: A BBC Radio Collection: The Railway Children, Five Children and It, The Phoenix and the C

A BBC Radio collection of dramatisations of E. Nesbit's finest children's books with extra magical readings plus an original drama by Martin Jameson E Nesbit is widely regarded as the first modern children's writer. Her ground-breaking novels have influenced authors from Oscar Wilde to Jacqueline Wilson, and over 100 years after their first publication, they remain perennially popular. This wide-ranging collection comprises some of her very best children's fiction, commencing with her timeless tale The Railway Children. Starring Victoria Carling, Daniel Eyssen and Kate McEnery, Frances Jeater this enchanting dramatisation tells the story of three suburban children forced to move to the countryside after their father is mysteriously taken away. Martin Jameson's sequel Roberta, Peter and Phyllis revisits them 13 years later, in 1919, to reveal how their lives have changed. Fiona Clarke, James Alper and Emma Hughes-Jones star as the titular siblings. Also included is Nesbit's classic 'Psammead' trilogy. In Five Children and It, Five children are granted a series of wishes by a sand fairy - but inevitably, things do not go to plan... Cast includes Julia McKenzie, Simon Carter, James Richard, Justyn Towler. Patricia Hodge reads the second book in the series, The Phoenix and the Carpet, in which the discovery of a mysterious egg in an old carpet heralds the start of a magical adventure. And in The Story of the Amulet, a full-cast dramatisation the children voyage through history on a quest for an ancient lucky charm. Featuring the same cast as Five Children and It Penelope Keith stars as E Nesbit in The House of Arden, a time-travelling fantasy tale about the hunt for a lost family treasure; Other cast includes Timothy Spall and Kelly Bright. Prunella Scales reads five stories from Nesbit's delightful compendium The Book of Dragons: 'Last of the Dragons', 'Kind Little Edmond', 'The Deliverers of their Country', 'The Book of Beasts' and 'The Dragon Tamers'. Concluding this anthology are two fantastic feline fables from Cat Tales, co-written by Nesbit and her adopted daughter Rosamund E Bland: 'The White Cat', read by Jenny Agutter, and 'Too Clever by Half', read by Helen Clapp. Cast and credits Written by E Nesbit Cat Tales written by E Nesbit and Rosamund E Bland Roberta, Peter and Phyllis written by Martin Jameson First published 1901 (The Book of Dragons), 1902 (Five Children and It), 1904 (The Phoenix and the Carpet, Cat Tales), 1906 (The Story of the Amulet, The Railway Children), 1908 (The House of Arden) The Railway Children Dramatised by Marcy Kahan. Produced by John Taylor First broadcast BBC Radio 5, 3-24 January 1991 Roberta, Peter and Phyllis Produced and directed by Gary Brown First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 January 2005 Five Children and It Dramatised by Malcolm McKee. Directed by Rosemary Watts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 August 1998 The Phoenix and the Carpet Abridged by Penny Leicester. Produced by Marion Nancarrow First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 March-1 April 1994 The Story of the Amulet Dramatised by Malcolm McKee. Directed by Rosemary Watts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 August 1999 The House of Arden Dramatised by Chris Curry. Produced by Mary Kalemkarian First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 April-25 June 1989 The Book of Dragons First broadcast BBC Radio 5, 7-11 December 1992 Cat Tales The White Cat First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 3 January 2000 Too Clever by Half First broadcast BBC Sounds, 23 July 2019 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Edith Nesbit, Martin Jameson, Rosamund E. Nesbit Bland (Author), Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Jenny Agutter, Julia Mckenzie, Patricia Hodge, Paul Copley, Penelope Keith, Prunella Scales, Timothy Spall, Victoria Carling (Narrator)

Audiobook

Five Children and It

On a summer holiday in the countryside of England, five children suddenly find themselves without the supervision of their parents. Left alone with the housekeeper, the children anticipate a dull vacation. However, they soon find more adventure than they can handle. The first day after their parents leave, the children head for a gravel pit to pretend that they are at the beach. While digging in the sand they find a Psammead, or a sand fairy. The grumpy genie promises to grant the children one wish a day that will last until sunset. But as often happens with wishes, none turn out quite the way the children expect. They are led through a series of hilarious adventures by the Psammead as they learn to appreciate what they already have. Edith Nesbit was one of the first authors to write children's books that captured what it was like to be young. Her humorous stories are sure to entertain as they gently teach children about the things in life that are truly valuable.

Edith Nesbit (Author), Virginia Leishman (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Railway Children

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, read by Jenny Agutter. 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.

E. Nesbit, Edith Nesbit (Author), Jenny Agutter (Narrator)

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Dragon Tales

Here is a collection of four delightful dragon stories by two master writers for children: The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame and The Island of the Nine Whirlpools, The Fiery Dragon and The Last Dragon by Edith Nesbit. Presented with lively music and even the occasional amusing sound effect.

Edith Nesbit, Kenneth Grahame (Author), Bertie Carvel, Emma Gregory (Narrator)

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The Magic World

These twelve magical stories contain some of the best things ever written in fairy tales. There are enchanted lands inhabited by kings and queens, princes and princesses who have to outwit wicked fairies and evil magicians. Princess Belinda is condemned to be ugly during the week and beautiful only on Sundays. Kenneth turns into a fish and has to be caught before he can transform back into a boy. Annabel opens a wardrobe and discovers an enormous railway station inside. Open the door to your own imagination-what magic world will you find? The magic, humor, and delightful characters that populate Edith Nesbit's stories will appeal to listeners of all ages. Those already familiar with the tales will be enchanted anew, and those coming to them for the first time will be captivated by the mystical world they find. "In this delightful collection of fantasies, the listener is introduced to the formal milieu of Victorian England, then whisked away to a series of fantastic worlds."-AudioFile

Edith Nesbit (Author), Johanna Ward (Narrator)

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Pussy Tales

A delightful collection of seven short stories narrated by cats, by the brilliant Edith Nesbit, each of which sheds a new light on our relationship with our furry friends. Too Clever By Half, The White Persian, A Powerful Friend, A Silly Question, The Selfish Pussy, Meddlesome Pussy, Nine Lives

Edith Nesbit (Author), Cathy Dobson (Narrator)

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