A second book of stories written for the author’s daughter, who was scared of the wolf under the bed. The blundering, endearing wolf is still determined to prove himself cleverer than Polly – but the resolute and affectionate Polly outwits him every time! Skilfully blending fantasy and reality, these stories are bursting with humour, originality and charm.

'Absolutely superb stories . . . a must-have book, a timeless delight of brilliance and wonderful as a shared readaloud'
School Librarian

This is the fictionalized story of Noel Streatfeild’s own childhood and youth, told with all the humour, insight and perceptiveness which has ensured her place today as an ever-popular author. As Vicky, the middle child in a clergyman’s large family, Noel reveals herself as an awkward child, a trouble-maker at home and at school, but with the promise to come of a great talent. This is a fascinating story of a strict vicarage upbringing – and an evocative picture of an age and pattern of life which vanished forever with the coming of the first World War.

In these ten tales of the supernatural, Philippa Pearce takes ordinary incidents and objects of everyday life and invests them with a power that overwhelms, threatens and disturbs. A green bottle, a stripy dressing gown, an old cupboard – each tale twists unexpectedly towards a chilling surprise. There is great perceptiveness and richness of imagination in this outstanding collection of stories.