The Edith Nesbit Library

In which a mischievous escapade between Lucy and her brother Harry leads her to purchase a curious tuppenny spell from a mysterious shop, promising to reverse their fortunes and grievances. The ensuing days reveal unexpected changes in their temperaments and fortunes, gently explored through schoolyard trials and quiet reconciliations under the watchful eye of a wise headmistress.

In which a boy named Hildebrand, burdened by teasing and a troublesome habit of telling tall tales, discovers a curious power through a magical looking-glass that makes his words come to life, yet struggles with the vexing consequences of this gift. His adventures, accompanied by tender moments with his little sister and lessons about truth and kindness, unfurl in a quaint household touched by bot...

In which a rather disagreeable aunt’s house becomes a stage for curious adventures, including a battle with toy soldiers, a bout of mistaken illness, and the mysterious search for a long-lost will, stirring feelings and discoveries unexpected by all. Molly, the heroine with a brave heart and keen eyes, finds that even the most grown-up troubles have a way of unveiling tender moments and secret pas...

In which a country boy named Billy is reluctantly visited by his pale and delicate cousin Harold, whose unexpected kindness and kite-making talents begin to thaw a frosty first impression, even as a lost prize essay and a mysterious roll of kite-paper set the stage for an extraordinary adventure. Together, they undertake a remarkable journey propelled by a patent kite that soars not only through t...

In which a group of resourceful children find delight and distraction in new bicycles and books, and their experimentation with a fire-balloon leads to unintended trouble and a serious fire on the marsh. Their subsequent sense of responsibility and fear of punishment is met with a kindly mariner’s revelation, easing their burden and teaching them the weighty consequences of youthful meddling.

In which a group of adventurous children discover a mysterious, deserted house on the edge of London and devise a variety of imaginative games within its silent, eerie rooms. Their playful exploits take on a curious reality as they encounter unexpected visitors and the consequences of their childhood creations, blending the realms of fantasy and the very real world.

In which a rainy evening leads a group of children living under the plain living, high thinking rule of Miss Sandal to welcome a weary, mysterious stranger into their home, their imaginations and sympathies stirred by the plight of fleeing soldiers and the shadowy stories of those on the run. As the marshes glisten with gold in the sun and the night unfolds, they wrestle gently with the complexiti...

In which a family’s well-meaning efforts to aid a man injured in an accident culminate in the planning and lively execution of a charming bazaar, complete with poetry stalls and a most unusual lottery prize. There is a gentle mingling of youthful earnestness and the everyday complexities of grown-up concerns, all set against the backdrop of a warm and bustling household.

In which a thoughtful collection of Shakespeare's most memorable sayings and reflections is presented, each touching upon the follies and virtues of human nature with gentle wisdom and poetic grace. These extracts, rich with timeless advice and quaint observation, offer a mirror to the ways of the world, inviting readers to muse on the character and conduct of mankind.

In which a clever and hopeful young woman sets out to cure a king’s grievous illness and claims as her husband the proud nobleman she loves, despite his disdain and departure to war. Her patient courage and cunning plans entwine with the adventures of soldiers and the trials of love, leading to surprising revelations before a king’s judgement.

In which two young gentlemen from Verona, named Valentine and Proteus, experience the trials and tribulations of love and friendship amidst the colourful intrigues of Milanese society. Their loves, loyalties, and disguises intertwine in a gentle unfolding of heartfelt adventures and surprising encounters.

In which a fiery and headstrong young woman meets a daring suitor unafraid of her sharp tongue, embarking upon a curious and spirited contest of wills that draws the attention of all around them. The tale unfolds with a blend of lively humour and gentle lessons about patience, love, and the gentle taming of a tempestuous heart.

In which the mild Duke of Vienna entrusts the strict Angelo with governance, only to find justice and mercy entangled in unexpected ways as a condemned man’s sister pleads for his life. Through deft disguise and clever schemes, the Duke observes the unfolding drama and the characters’ true natures, all while the city's fate hangs in delicate balance.

In which the proud and noble Moor Othello journeys to Cyprus with his fair wife Desdemona, only to find himself ensnared in a web of deceit and jealousy spun by the scheming Iago, whose dark plots stir mistrust and passion to dangerous heights. The tale unfolds amidst Venetian gallantry and the winding twists of human frailty, where love and honour are tested by the insidious power of suspicion.

In which we observe Timon of Athens, a man so lavish in his generosity that his wealth seems endless, yet harbours a trusting heart that soon finds itself deserted by those once deemed friends. Disillusioned and embittered, Timon retreats from the world to muse upon the fickleness of mankind amid the echoes of his own extravagant past.

In which a generous Venetian merchant aids his reckless friend in courting a lady of great beauty and fortune, while a certain moneylender’s strange bond sets a perilous legal challenge in motion. This tale unfolds with suitors' tests, desperate pleas, and a clever disguise that turns the scales of justice in an unexpected manner.

In which a tale of mistaken identities unfolds in the sunny town of Ephesus, where two sets of identical twins, separated in infancy, cross paths in a series of amusing confusions and comical quarrels. Amidst wives mistaking strangers for husbands and servants bewildered by their masters’ strange behaviour, the story gently explores themes of family, forgiveness, and the curious fate that binds us...

In which we observe the tender and troubled tale of Imogen, a princess faithful to her secret husband Leonard, whose trust is cruelly tested by a deceitful wager and dark misunderstandings that lead her into disguise and perilous wanderings. Amidst the shifting fortunes of kings and soldiers, kindness and courage emerge, weaving a richly woven story of loyalty, identity, and the enduring bonds of...

In which a valiant Scottish general hears strange prophecies from three witches on a lonely heath, setting into motion a tale of ambition, dark deeds, and troubled sleep. The story unfolds with noble guests, ghostly visions, and the heavy burden of fate that weighs upon a crown too hard to hold.

In which the noble Prince Pericles embarks on a perilous sea voyage to escape a cruel enemy, only to encounter storms, tournaments, and unexpected kindness along the way that lead him to a new life far from home. Through trials and sorrow, the story gently unfolds with lost identities and heartfelt reunions, all touched by the whimsy of fate and the grace of divine intervention.

In which the young Prince Hamlet returns to Denmark to find his beloved country and kin enshrouded in sorrow and suspicion, grappling with love, loss, and the heavy whisper of a ghostly command. Amidst the strange and tangled events at court, he adopts a guise of madness to navigate a perilous path toward truth and justice.

In which two proud and wealthy families in Verona nurture an ancient quarrel that turns a grand feast into a scene of hidden love and secret vows. In the stillness of a moonlit garden, young hearts meet and pledge themselves against the odds, while friends and foes prepare unwittingly for the sorrows to come.

In which the sunny town of Messina becomes a lively stage for masked ball intrigues, merry banter, and schemes of love and jealousy among princes and gentlefolk. The dance of words and hearts begins with playful deceptions and earnest hopes, setting gentle souls on unexpected paths through honour and mistaken trust.

In which an ageing king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters according to their declarations of love, leading to a grim unraveling of family bonds and loyalty. Through honest and overheated professions, the nature of true affection and filial duty is gently explored amidst the turmoil and tragedy that follow.

In which the Duke of Illyria pines for a noble lady who shuns his love, while a shipwrecked maiden, disguised as a youth, becomes his confidante and reluctant messenger to the lady herself. Amidst a tangle of mistaken identities, quarrelsome admirers, and quiet yearnings, the tender intricacies of affection begin to unfold in Illyria's gentle sunshine.