Discover the Penguin books that shaped us

Puffin Classics

88 books in this series
Book cover of The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde

The Happy Prince and Other Stories

A haunting, magical fairy-tale collection, in which Oscar Wilde beautifully evokes (among others) The Happy Prince who was not so happy after all, The Selfish Giant who learned to love little children and The Star Child who did not love his parents as much as he should. Each of the stories shines with poetry and magic and will be enjoyed by children of every age.

A perfect collection for children young and old, introduced by Markus Zusak, bestselling author of The Book Thief.
Book cover of The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

The Princess and the Goblin

Princess Irene lives in a castle in a wild and lonely mountainous region. One day she discovers a steep and winding stairway leading to a bewildering labyrinth of unused passages with closed doors - and a further stairway. What lies at the top? Can the ring the princess is given protect her against the lurking menace of the goblins from under the mountain?
Book cover of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights

Heathcliff, an orphan, is raised by Mr Earnshaw as one of his own children. Hindley despises him but wild Cathy becomes his constant companion, and he falls deeply in love with her. When she will not marry him, Heathcliff's terrible vengeance ruins them all - but still his and Cathy's love will not die . . .

A story of doomed love and revenge with a brilliant new introduction from the author of The Outsiders - S. E. Hinton.
Book cover of Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of Ingleside

The sixth volume of the adventures of red-haired Anne Shirley.

Anne, now Mrs Doctor Blythe, is still sometimes as impetuous as when she was the girl from Green Gables. But with six lively children and hard-worked Gilbert to look after - not to mention Gilbert's disapproving aunt, Anne has to be practical too. Especially when the children get into as many scrapes as she ever did!
Book cover of Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of the Island

The third heartwarming book about red-haired Anne Shirley.

As her childhood friends get married and move away, Anne too leaves Prince Edward Island for college in Kingsport. Although Priscilla Grant and Gilbert Blythe are there, too, she feels lonely and out of place. But Anne soon makes new friends, one of whom is rich, handsome Roy Gardner, whose attentions to Anne make Gilbert very jealous...
Book cover of Anne of Windy Willows by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of Windy Willows

The fourth book about the red-haired Anne Shirley from Green Gables.

Now a young woman and her romance with Gilbert Blythe beginning to flourish, Anne Shirley becomes Principal of Summerside High School. But Summerside is virtually ruled by the Pringle family, who don't want Anne at the school. It takes all of Anne's courage and tact, and the comfort she draws from the eccentric household at Windy Willows, to overcome local prejudice and confront the dreaded Pringles.
Book cover of Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery

Anne's House of Dreams

The fifth novel about Anne Shirley, the red-haired girl from Green Gables.

Life seems perfect to Anne Shirley, about to marry her childhood friend Gilbert Blythe and set up home with him in her 'house of dreams' on the shores of Four Winds Harbor. There are new neighbours to meet and fresh problems to solve. But then tragedy strikes and there's huge heartache for the young couple which takes all of their courage and love to overcome.
Book cover of Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott

Good Wives

Good Wives is the second story about the March family.

Three years on from Little Women, the March girls and their friend Laurie are young adults with their futures ahead of them. Although they all face painful trials along the way - from Meg's sad lesson in housekeeping to Laurie's disappointment in love and a tragedy which touches them all - each of the girls finally finds happiness, if not always in the way they expect.

The book includes a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who's who, activities and more..

Also in Puffin Classics: Little Women, Little Men and Jo's Boys.
Book cover of Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

Jo's Boys

Ten years after the school at Plumfield was founded, Jo's boys - including wanderer Dan, sailor Emil and musician Nat - are grown up and discovering more about the world. But life after childhood can be confusing and frightening, and it is Jo and the warm-hearted March family who can comfort and guide the boys when they need it the most...
Book cover of The Odyssey by Geraldine McCaughrean

The Odyssey

The epic journey of Odysseus, the hero of Ancient Greece...

After ten years of war, Odysseus turns his back on Troy and sets sail for home. But his voyage takes another ten years and he must face many dangers - Polyphemus the greedy one-eyed giant, Scylla the six-headed sea monster and even the wrath of the gods themselves - before he is reunited with his wife and son.
Brilliantly retold by award-winning author, Geraldine McCaughrean.
Book cover of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

This enchanting collection, retold by writer and critic Naomi Lewis, contains twelve of Hans Christian Andersen's magnificent stories. It includes Thumbelina, a little girl no more than a thumb-joint high, The Emperor's New Clothes, the tale of a man who cares only for his appearance and The Little Mermaid, who longs to one day marry a human prince.
With a wonderful cover illustration and new introduction by award-winning picture-book creator Jan Pienkowski.
Book cover of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

After losing her parents, young Mary Lennox is sent from India to live in her uncle's gloomy mansion on the wild English moors. She is lonely and has no one to play with, but one day she learns of a secret garden somewhere in the grounds that no one is allowed to enter. Then Mary uncovers an old key in a flowerbed - and a gust of magic leads her to the hidden door. Slowly she turns the key and enters a world she could never have imagined.

With a heartwarming introduction by Sophie Dahl, The Secret Garden is one of the twenty best-loved classic stories being launched in the Puffin Classics series in March 2015.
Book cover of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this epic edition of Treasure Island complete with a bold new cover.

When an old sea Captain named Billy Bones leaves behind a mysterious chest at Jim Hawkins' parents inn, Jim discovers a map to the legendary Treasure Island! Jim sets sail to Treasure Island with Long John Silver and his ragtag crew but can they be trusted?
Book cover of The Phoenix and the Carpet by E Nesbit

The Phoenix and the Carpet

It's startling enough to have a phoenix hatch in your house, but even more startling when it talks and reveals that you have a magic carpet on the floor. The vain and ancient bird accompanies the children on a series of adventures through time and space which, magic being what it is, rarely turn out as they were meant...

This sequel to Five Children and It continues the magical adventures of siblings Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother.

Contains a lovely new introduction by Robin McKinley, bestselling US author of Pegasus.
Book cover of The Tale of Troy by Roger Green

The Tale of Troy

The story of Helen and the judgement of Paris, of the gathering Heroes and the seige of Troy; of Achilles and his vulnerable heel, reared by the Centaur on wild honey and the marrow of lions; of Odysseus, the last of the Heroes, his plan for the wooden Horse and his many adventures on his long journey home to Greece.

Also contains a beautiful introduction by best-selling author Michelle Paver, and additional endmatter including an author profile, who's who, activities, glossary and more.
Book cover of The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green

The Adventures of Robin Hood

The classic story of social justice and outrageous cunning.

Robin Hood, champion of the poor and oppressed, stands against the cruel power of Prince John and the brutal Sheriff of Nottingham. Taking refuge in the vast Sherwood Forest with his band of men, he remains determined to outwit his enemies.