William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.
This second volume of curated children’s classics will take you on a rhyming journey with elephants, cheetahs, and rhinos in Just So Stories; delve into the world of Mole, Toad, Rat and Badger in The Wind in the Willows; and through the streets of London with a beautiful horse in Black Beauty.
These classic children’s stories are read by actress and presenter, Angela Rippon; Shakespearean actor Sir Michael Horden; and star of stage and screen, Patrick Wymark.
This collection includes:
• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, read by Angela Rippon
• Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling, read by Sir Michael Horden
• The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, read by Patrick Wymark
Winner of the Newbery Medal
It has been a while since Folks lived in the Big House, and an even longer time has passed since there has been a garden at the House. All the animals of the Hill are very excited about the new Folks moving in, and they wonder how things are going to change. It's only a matter of time before the animals of the Hill find out just who is moving in, and they may be a little bit surprised when they do.
"Robert Lawson has created. . . a whole, fresh, lively, amusing world." --The New York Times
Now, this is a story about the doll family I liked, and the doll family I didn't. When you read it you are to remember something I am going to tell you. This is it: If you think dolls never do anything you don't see them do, you are very much mistaken. When people are not looking at them, they can do anything they choose. They can dance and sing and play on the piano and have all sorts of fun... but they can only move about and talk when people turn their backs and are not looking.
Fairies know this and often visit in all the dolls' houses where they are welcome. They will not associate, though, with dolls who are not nice. If one is conceited or illtempered, one will never know a fairy as long as one lives.
Join in the fun of the characters and see what really happens when they are left to their own devices...and wonder at the wisdom of the fairy queen and revel in helping all of them to escape discovery by the nurse or the little girl who so mistreats them and wants to send them to the garbage heap...they live again with another mistress in a wonderful new world.
AUTHOR
Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was an English-born author of romances and books for children. After moving to America in 1865 she established a popular reputation with the publication of That Lass o'Lowries in 1877. She is best known for such stories as Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Little Princess, and The Secret Garden.
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Since its publication in 1906, the story of how Queen Crosspatch and her band of fairies rescued the Racketty-Packetty House has inspired dreamers and readers of all ages in the tradition of The Secret Garden and A Little Princess.
When Tidy Castle arrives, brand-new and grand in every way, the Racketty-Packetty House has never looked shabbier, and it is shoved in the corner of Cynthia's nursery. But the Racketty family still dances, sings, and laughs louder than all the fancy dolls combined. When a real-life princess visits the nursery, the Racketty family learns that the humans are planning to destroy their house. Only a miracle-or some very unusual magic-can save them now!
This unabridged recording contains all the original Raggedy Andy stories as Andy is reunited with his sister, Raggedy Ann, and brings a dance, a pillow fight, and a taffy pull into the lives of the other dolls.Andy bravely ventures into the gutter to find the penny dolls, "cures" the French doll, and encounters the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and a beautiful seashell. First introduced in 1920, Raggedy Andy has charmed millions of children with his always warm and optimistic outlook and calm approach to difficulties.
Performed by Swoosie Kurtz
On this unabridged recording, listeners will hear all the original Raggedy Ann stories, as they follow Raggedy Ann to Marcella's nursery and watch her quickly become the leader of the dolls -- and the world. After learning a lesson from a naughty raid on the pantry, Raggedy Ann strives to be good -- and succeeds. She and her friends rescue Fido, the family dog, from the dogcatcher. One of her most well-known adventures leads her to get her stuffing replaced, and along the way gets her famous I Love You candy heart. First published in 1918, Raggedy Ann has charmed millions of children with her always warm and optimistic outlook and calm approach to difficulties.
Dear old Raggedy Ann! The beloved rag doll who comes to life and along with the other toys in the nursery has a series of exciting adventures. Generations of children have listened round eyed and open mouthed as Raggedy Ann flies away on a kite, rescues the family dog from the pound, helps the hens hatch out chicks and lands up in the paint pot.
Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938) was an American artist, cartoonist and children's author. One day his daughter Marcella found a dusty, faceless rag doll in the attic. Gruelle drew a face on the doll and named her Raggedy Ann. Marcella played with the doll so much, Gruelle thought other children would like the doll too. He started a company making the Raggedy Ann dolls and wrote a series of popular books for children based on the adventures of Marcella and Raggedy Ann which became timeless classics for many generations.
Raggedy Ann is the beloved doll with red yarn hair and a triangle nose. She came to life in 1915 when author and illustrator Johnny Gruelle found a rag doll in his mother’s attic. He drew a new face on the old doll and created stories about her to entertain his daughter, Marcella, during the final months of her illness.
Although Raggedy Ann looks like an ordinary doll, Raggedy Ann Stories chronicles her extraordinary adventures. In one instance, she bravely rescues the family dog, Fido, from the dogcatcher. On another occasion, she falls into a bucket of paint and finds herself in need of new stuffing, then is stitched back together with her famous “I Love You” heart. From flying high off the ground inside of a kite, to mentoring the other dolls in the nursery, the adventures are endless.
Raggedy Ann celebrated her 100th birthday in 2015, and has proven herself to be an iconic companion across generations. She continues to find a place in children’s hearts.
The seventh novel in the Anne of Green Gables saga, Rainbow Valley focuses less upon Anne and more upon her neighbor, Presbyterian minister John Meredith, and the interaction between his and Anne's children.
The winsome Anne Shirley is grown, married, and the mother of six frolicsome children. When the Meredith family moves into a nearby mansion, the clever and mischievous Meredith kids join Anne's children in numerous adventures.
When her father loses his job, Ramona decides to help out. Maybe she could earn a million dollars making a TV commercial, or get her father to stop smoking to save money (and his lungs)'she is full of ideas. Some work, some don't. But when her father says he wouldn't trade her for a million dollars, Ramona knows all is right in her world.
Ramona's life changes the moment Howie Kemp's mysterious uncle arrives from Saudi Arabia. Howie and his sister, Willa Jean, talk only about Uncle Hobart. Ramona's mother makes secret phone calls and stops eating dessert, and Aunt Bea is hiding something, too. Whatever surprises are in store, Ramona is determined to be happy and helpful. Whether she's pleasant or pesty, brave or blunderful, she's always wonderful Ramona'forever!
