This beautifully illustrated collection contains all of Jane Austen's novels retold for young readers, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, with notes on the characters and quotations from the original text. With links to websites to find out more about Jane Austen's life and times.
Mary Sebag-Montefiore Books






"When Marilla and Matthew decide to adopt a boy from an orphanage they are not sure what to expect. They are in for a surprise when an adventurous, imaginative, red-haired little girl arrives at Green Gables instead. Follow Anne's adventures on Prince Edward Island in the first of L. M. Montgomery's much-loved stories, Filled with mischief, romance, and friendship, this classic book is sure to delight readers of all ages."--Page 4 of cover
Fairy Tale Library 1-5
- 48 pages
- 2 hours of reading
Five well-known fairy tales retold for young children and presented in a boxed 'Little Red Riding Hood', 'The Elves and the Shoemaker', 'Puss in Boots', 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and 'Cinderella'. Each book is designed and illustrated in a traditional style, bound as a cloth-covered hardback and finished with a ribbon page marker.
War and Peace
- 64 pages
- 3 hours of reading
Leo Tolstoy's epic Russian classic, retold in just 64 pages. First published in 1869, this novel is one of the most famous books in the world, and this simple but atmospheric retelling now makes it accessible for young readers. Set in Russia following the French invasion of Russia in 1812, as the Tsarist regime is succeeded by the Napoleonic era. A concise introduction to what is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature ever written. The Usborne Reading Programme is a collection of over 300 reading books, graded in seven levels. Developed with reading experts. Series Three books are for fully confident readers who still need to gain the stamina needed for standard length books. They use advanced sentence structure and vocabulary and have more complex plots with subplots than the level below.
Jane Eyre
- 74 pages
- 3 hours of reading
A love story which shows a true understanding of human behavior.
Don Quixote
- 64 pages
- 3 hours of reading
A new title in Young Reading Series Three, which is aimed at children whose reading ability and confidence allows them to tackle longer and more complex stories. The classic story of misadventure by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra retold for children ready to tackle longer and more complex stories. Don Quixote thinks he's a knight, just like in the days of old - he even has a squire. Of course, these days, there are no dragons to fight, but a thing like that doesn't stop him, as he drags his squire on one madcap adventure after another… Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.
When Heidi's Aunt Dete gets a new job in Frankfurt she takes Heidi up the mountains and leaves her with her grandfather who is not at all thrilled about having Heidi live with him. Just as Heidi and her Grandfather have become happy living together, Aunt Dete returns, wanting to take Heidi back to Frankfurt to be company for a rich little girl who is sick.
A marvellous addition to the highest level of the best-selling Reading Programme. Follow Alice and the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and join in with their madcap adventures. Part of the Usborne Young Reading series, this retelling of Lewis Carroll's enduring and popular nonsensical tale is ideal for newly independent readers.
The Railway Children
- 56 pages
- 2 hours of reading
This Ladybird Classic is an abridged retelling of the classic story of The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit, making it perfect for introducing the story to younger children, or for newly confident readers to tackle alone.Beautiful new illustrations throughout bring the magic of this classic story to a new generation of children.
Oliver Twist
- 136 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Orphaned Oliver lives in a cold, grim workhouse, until the day he dares to ask for more. Escaping to London, Oliver finds new friends and thinks he has a home at last. But his troubles are only just beginning.



