The Edith Nesbit Library

In which a young lady named Rosalind, forced to leave her father’s court, disguises herself and journeys into the Forest of Arden with her cousin Celia, where they live as shepherds and encounter the loves and trials of those around them. Amid the fresh and gentle woodland scenes, friendships and secret affections blossom quietly, weaving a tender tale of loyalty, courage, and the playful disguise...

In which a jealous king's mistrust plunges his household into sorrow and separation, while a lost princess grows up unaware of her noble birth beneath the wide Bohemian skies. Gentle fate weaves their lives towards a hopeful reunion, touched by kindness, repentance, and the tender workings of time.

In which two Athenian lovers, Hermia and Lysander, flee into a wooded glade filled with merry and mischievous fairies, whose own quarrelsomeness and enchantments cause wild confusion amongst the mortals. Through moonlit glades and fairy tricks, a tangled web of affection and folly unfolds, leading to resolution beneath the leafy boughs as dawn draws near.

In which a learned duke, trusted and betrayed by his own brother, is cast away with his young daughter upon a mysterious island inhabited by enchanted spirits and strange creatures. Through the gentle weaving of magic, love, and forgiveness, old grievances begin to unravel amidst the marvels of the island’s otherworldly charm.

In which the reader is introduced to the enduring wisdom and beauty of Shakespeare's works, celebrated for their moral clarity and poetic grace that continue to enrich imaginations near and far. The story then turns to the early life of William Shakespeare, sketching the varied spellings of his name, the respectable standing of his family, and the solid education that laid the foundation for his e...

In which we learn of Shakespeare's early life, his move to London, and his beginnings as a dramatist adapting older plays, all set against the bustling backdrop of Stratford and the theatre world. The narrative gently reflects on his family, the respect he garnered amongst his peers, and the memorial that commemorates his resting place.

In which a diligent King Alban, adorned only in white and devoted to the well-being of his people, finds his quiet reign challenged by the arrival of his colourful and exuberant brother Negretti, who quickly wins the crowd with dazzling spectacles and loud merriment. Amidst magical rivalry and shifting loyalties, the story reveals tender moments of love and the quiet triumph of steadfast goodness...

In which Rosamund and Fabian, left alone on Christmas Eve with strict instructions, discover enchanting miniature soldiers and construct wondrous towns from books and blocks in their library, leading to extraordinary adventures within these magical creations. Their curious play transports them into towns nested within towns, filled with tiny, lively soldiers and mysterious creatures, blurring the...

In which a boy named Edwin wrestles with his arithmetic sums, only to find that the answers come to life in the most extraordinary and troublesome ways, guided by a radiant Arithmetic Fairy who visits him between lessons. Through playful misadventures in numbers and the charming presence of this fairy, Edwin learns that mathematics holds a curious magic far beyond mere schoolwork.

In which a princess is born bald by the malice of forgotten fairies and later blessed with golden hair that grows uncontrollably, bringing both wonder and woe to her kingdom. With the aid of a clever prince and a touch of fairy wisdom, she navigates her peculiar predicament until balance and happiness are finally restored.

In which a select boarding school for royal daughters encounters extraordinary visitors and mystifying disappearances, leading to an extraordinary adventure involving enchanted apples and unorthodox magic. Through a series of peculiar events, princes and a wise schoolmistress navigate a curious landscape of lost princesses, ancient laws, and enchanted orchards, all under the watchful eye of a stra...

In which a prince’s christening sparks gifts and curses from fairies, leading to a peculiar prophecy about his marriage to a kitchen-maid and a mysterious lady with four feet and no hands. Amidst royal intrigues, secret love, and magical transformations, loyalty and courage guide the prince and his beloved through enchantments and peril toward an unexpected and joyous resolution.

In which young Tony of the peculiar town of Antioch discovers a mysterious prophecy concerning the Blue Mountain’s milk, setting him on a strange and perilous quest through enchanted forests and encounters with giant figures. His adventures lead to bewildering encounters with the local King and the unfolding of truths about his own identity and destiny amidst a curious world of magic and mistaken...

In which a young girl named Matilda, oppressed by her tight frock and officious nursemaid, inadvertently embarks upon a strange and enchanting adventure to the quaint Green Land, where kingdom and subjects alike are whimsically transformed by the mischievous laughter of a curious bird. Amidst enchantment and peculiar changes, Matilda’s cleverness and kindness bloom as she seeks to restore order an...

In which two children, kept away from their cherished seaside holiday by unwelcome relatives, discover a magical bouncing ball that transports them to a splendid, carefree seaside realm called Whereyouwantogoto, where delights and adventures abound without the usual restrictions. Yet, as they wrestle with the challenge of behaving well and respecting the enchantment around them, the boundaries bet...