New Releases by Richmal Crompton

William Brown, the mischievous schoolboy, navigates the challenges of growing up in a boarding-house. His adventures include pranks, conflicts with authority figures, and the complexities of friendship and family life. Through his eyes, readers explore themes of childhood innocence, rebellion, and the search for identity in a structured world. The narrative captures the humor and pathos of adolescence with a nostalgic charm that resonates across generations.

Meet "Just William," the mischievous young boy whose escapades have delighted readers for generations. Richmal Crompton's beloved character leaps from the page in this collection of short stories, chronicling William's hilarious and often chaotic adventures. A celebration of childhood, "Just William" explores the enduring power of friendship and the irresistible lure of mischief. Set against the backdrop of school days and neighborhood antics, these tales are filled with timeless humor that resonates with readers of all ages. William, a memorable figure in juvenile fiction, navigates the world with an irrepressible spirit, creating comical situations at every turn. Rediscover the charm of "Just William," a testament to the joys and tribulations of youth, thoughtfully prepared in this print edition. A heartwarming exploration of friendship and the lighter side of life, this collection offers a nostalgic journey back to the simple pleasures of childhood. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"Just—William" by Richmal Crompton is a delightful and humorous collection of stories centered around the adventures of William Brown, an eleven-year-old boy with a boundless imagination and an insatiable curiosity. William is a classic troublemaker whose well-meaning but misguided attempts to navigate the complexities of childhood often lead to humorous and chaotic situations. The book portrays William's escapades with his gang of friends, known as the Outlaws, as they embark on various schemes and misadventures. From misguided attempts at heroism to encounters with authority figures, William's adventures reflect both the charm and the challenges of growing up. Crompton's storytelling is characterized by its wit and warmth, capturing the essence of childhood with a blend of humor and insight. The stories highlight William's personality and his interactions with the world around him, providing readers with a nostalgic and entertaining glimpse into the life of a young boy who is always in trouble but remains endearing nonetheless. "Just—William" is cherished for its lively and engaging narrative, making it a beloved classic in children's literature that continues to resonate with readers of all ages.

""William the Outlaw"" by Richmal Crompton is a classic children's adventure novel brimming with humor and mischief. Following the escapades of the lovable troublemaker William Brown, Crompton crafts a timeless tale that captivates readers with its humor and sense of adventure. In this novel, Crompton masterfully portrays the antics of William, a spirited schoolboy who constantly finds himself in humorous predicaments. Whether he's attempting to play the role of an outlaw or embarking on mischievous adventures with his friends, William's escapades are guaranteed to elicit laughter and entertainment. Richmal Crompton's witty storytelling and vivid characterization bring the world of William Brown to life, making it a beloved classic in children's literature. With its blend of humor, adventure, and mischief, ""William the Outlaw"" remains a timeless favorite among readers of all ages. This novel is a delightful journey into the imaginative world of childhood, where every day is filled with fun, trouble, and the thrill of adventure. As a classic of children's literature, ""William the Outlaw"" continues to entertain and inspire readers with its timeless charm and humor.

William Brown has an outgoing nature. That’s what his mother calls it, anyway. He’s not exactly shy and retiring, and when it occurs to him that showing off can be combined with his other great love, making money, it’s typical William territory. "Just William" book 19.

There is only one William. The loveable imp and his band of Outlaws have been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting hundreds of thousands of readers for years. Here, William invents a water race where competitors have to run with a mouth full of water, without swallowing it or spitting it out. It's just a shame he doesn't have time to think before speaking to (and drenching!) Mrs. Adolphus Crane during the race! (Goodreads)

Book Excerpt: ...ll a--call a mincing-machine, Ex-Ex--what you said," said Douglas.William ignored him. "Well, all the others pulled an' pulled an' pulled an' couldn't get it out.""You said that before," said Douglas."The nex' time you int'rupt--" said William threateningly, then, a note of pathos invading his voice, "You asked me to tell you this story, didn't you?""We didn't ask you to go on and on sayin' the same thing over an' over again," said Douglas, adding, after a moment's thought, "You might as well call a coal shovel Arthur as a sword.""The sword wasn't called Arthur," said William. "The man was called Arthur. The sword was called Excelsior.""It must have had the same name as this other man," said Henry. "I know this other man was called Excelsior, 'cause I learnt it once. The shades of night were falling fast an- he met an awful avalanche. I forget the rest, but it was jolly excitin'""Gosh!" said William in despair. "Don't you want to hear this story...

More William retails the adventures of William Brown is an eleven-year-old boy, eternally scruffy and frowning and his family. William's family, his elder red-gold haired sister Ethel and brother Robert, his stern father, and never-ending supply of elderly aunts, cannot understand William. Only his placid mother has any sympathy for him, though his father sometimes shows a side of himself that seems to admit he was once like William himself.

William Brown is an eleven-year-old boy, eternally scruffy and frowning. William and his friends, Ginger, Henry and Douglas, call themselves the Outlaws, and meet at the old barn in Farmer Jenks' field, with William being the leader of the gang. The Outlaws have several arch-enemies, with whom they frequently clash.

Frost at Morning is the heartbreaking story of four young children who, deserted by their parents, have been sent off to a vicarage that takes in children as paying guests. There's Philip, a sensitive boy whose father has remarried and gained a more preferable stepson; anxious little Monica, with a mother spiralling towards alcoholism; adopted Geraldine, whose desperate desire be loved actively repels people; and beautiful, vain Angela, who is ignored by her eccentric novelist mother. Left to themselves they grow to depend on one another and, as they leave the vicarage and return to their fractured homes, it becomes clear that a bond has formed that will hold them forever. . . As the years pass, their adult lives connect and intertwine, and the damage inflicted by their childhoods creeps ever closer to the surface. Can they build themselves anew? Or will happiness elude them forever? An exquisitely written and poignant story, Richmal Crompton's Frost at Morning is a wonderful exploration of childhood and an evocative portrait of interwar Britain.

Felicity – Stands By is a delightful, charming set of short stories by Richmal Crompton, following the adventures (and misadventures) of a young woman, Miss Norma Felicity Montague Harborough. Having finished school, Felicity returns to the family seat to live with her grandfather Sir Digby, sufferer of the infamous Harborough gout and the Harborough temper. Always well-meaning and often hapless, Felicity sets about to organize and matchmaker those around her: including rescuing her friend Sheila from the affections (and affectations) of local poet Marmaduke Eltham; joining travelling band ‘The Oranges’; and saving some rather important political papers from the clutches of a thief. Her escapades are a series of witty, warm and entertaining vignettes, sure to enchant anyone who loved the bestselling Just William series.

It is the summer of 1892 and fifteen-year-old Tilly Pound has come to Linden Rise – the holiday cottage of the genteel but dysfunctional Culverton family – to work as a housemaid. She starts as just another member of ‘the help’ but, as the years pass and the 19th century judders its unwieldy way into the 20th, this tough and resourceful young woman becomes an anchor in a fragmenting world. Mr and Mrs Culverton are trapped in a loveless marriage, rocked by his obvious infidelities and marked by her helplessness and fragility. Their children are raising themselves until Tilly arrives, and it remains to be seen whether her lively good sense can change their lives for the better . . . A beautifully written, razor-sharp saga that paints a vivid portrait of the fraught and nuanced relationships between parents and their children, Linden Rise is full of the charming child characters that Richmal Crompton always evokes so beautifully.

When we first meet Millicent Dorrington she is a young lady on the verge of womanhood in inter-war England. The daughter of a wealthy mill-owner and one of five children – Gordon, Denis, Janet, Lorna, Cecily and Bunny – she is tormented by the high walls of their home, White Lodge, which hold her in. The young Millicent tells her father that she is destined for great things – that she is desperate to break free . . . But while Millicent’s siblings grow up, move on and experience life, their freedom confines her. Held back by the bonds of family, unable to leave her siblings behind, Millicent appears to miss out on the joys of life. But as time goes on, she becomes the centre that holds her family together. Perhaps Millicent’s great destiny was, after all, to remain at home; remain at one with those who love her most and see out her final days in the warmth of the White Lodge. Tender, humorous, gentle and quietly devastating, Richmal Crompton's Millicent Dorrington is the powerful story of a woman, a mother and a friend.

More William is the second William collection in the much acclaimed Just William series by Richmal Crompton. It is a sequel to the book Just William. The book was first published in 1922.

Everyone's favourite troublemaker, William Brown, is back in this hilarious collection of stories from the classic Just William series - now with a gorgeous new cover illustrated by the award-winning Lauren Child. Greyhound racing was a wonderfully exciting idea. After all, William's dog, Jumble was as likely to be a greyhound as anything, and surely no one would mind the Outlaws borrowing another dog to race against him. Would they? This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his admirers since 1922.

Everyone's favourite troublemaker, William Brown, is back in Richmal Crompton's William's Happy Days, a hilarious collection of classic Just William stories – with a contemporary cover illustrated by Steven Lenton and an introduction by Outnumbered actor Daniel Roche. When William's mother offers him a birthday party, he is suspicious – what's the catch? Convinced that he will have to do something boring in exchange, William refuses to be caught out. But offers of food, a pet, even hidden treasure are very hard to refuse . . . This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his admirers since 1922. Enjoy more of William's adventures in Still William and William Again.

I don't think that people are people to her any longer. They're just mirrors. If she can see the right picture of herself in them, she likes them. If she can't, she dislikes them. Stella Markham is the apple of her aunt's eye: gentle, kind, beautiful and accomplished – the model of a perfect child. Her guardians love her and her playmates worship her. Sensitive and thoughtful, she is the very image of nineteenth century loveliness – that is, until things don't go her way. From Richmal Crompton, the bestselling author of the Just William stories, Narcissa follows Stella from childhood through courtship and motherhood, detailing the triumphs and tragedies of a woman who is willing to do anything to maintain the image of her own perfection, sacrificing those she loves to her own vanity.

Bringing together a memorable cast of characters, Chedsy Place is a warm and witty novel, filled with the humour, piercing observation and remarkable characterization that makes Richmal Crompton one of the world's best-loved writers. When Richard Beaton inherits Chedsy Place, he feels nostalgic as he returns to his beloved family home. For him it is locked in the past – a place of warm childhood memories – and he cannot afford to keep it. But for his wife, Celia, walking round the grand house sparks the kernel of an idea: to restore it to its former glory by opening its doors once more for Christmas – only this time, to paying guests. Horrified by the idea, Robert watches as the guests arrive from far and wide: the domineering Judith Kimball with her shy secretary Sidney Lattimer, and the chauffeur, who takes a shine to Sidney; the Paynter family with their excitable twin daughters, Cicely and Angela; Miss Nettleton, who travels indomitably about the British Isles seeing the sights; Mrs Stephenson-Pollitt, who retires 'into the silence' each afternoon to seek communion with the spirits, and her nephew, Brian, who is destined for the clergy but must battle with his conscience when he meets Angela. As the guests settle in for Christmas, Robert knows that Chedsy Place will never be the same again . . .

Richmal Crompton's adult novels are an absolute delight and every bit as charming as her beloved Just William series. The Old Man's Birthday is both a nostalgic treat for fans of the gentler brand of interwar fiction, and a dry satire of British village life. Matthew Rowston is turning ninety-five. A lovable rogue approaching his dotage, he has very little time for the high moral standards and rigid ideas of propriety espoused by his spinster daughter. Things get interesting when he invites his estranged son, the bright and lively Stephen, and his beautiful partner to his celebratory dinner. Over the course of the day, Matthew walks around the village, introducing the pair to his large and varied clan, from the aging Jolly-hockey sticks granddaughter who is considering a torrid affair of her own, to his elderly bookish bachelor son and the lovely great-granddaughter struggling to find her place in the world, doomed to work as a clerk in her dull and dismal father's firm. Teeming beneath the calm surface of village and family life, lies a whole world of secrets and desires, hopes and dreams. Mrs Dalloway with a dash of dry humour, Mapp and Lucia with a slightly melancholy tone, this is the perfect heritage read for fans of 1930s fiction at its best.

Happily married for thirty years with three children that have long since grown up, Christopher Mainwaring finds himself at a total loss following the death of his beloved wife, Susan. Yet the joyful marriage he remembers may not have been all it seemed, for no one in the family knows of the troubling words his wife uttered to him from her death bed . . . Alluding to a possible affair that took place many years ago with a close family friend, the grieving widower is haunted by visions of Susan's infidelity and seeks to find out the truth. In his quest to unearth his wife's potential duplicity, Christopher finds himself looking to his children's complex lives for answers: Joy who is now married with children and concerns of her own, the professionally inept but kind-hearted Frank and his neurotic wife Rachel, and Derek, whose delusions of grandeur with his struggling business causes much distress for his long-suffering wife, Olivia. Portrait of a Family by Richmal Crompton provides universal reflections and intimate insights into the dynamics of family life with a startling clarity that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.

When Viola learned of her husband Humphrey's affair, it seemed obvious that she must divorce him so he could be with the woman soon to bear him a child, but now she must deal with her highly-strung and sensitive son Hilary and her sister Frances' sudden move to London alone, without Humphrey's steadying presence. And while Humphrey tries to deal with the fact that his romantic choices have ended his marriage, his family is also living through numerous personal upheavals. His twin aunts Harriet and Hester are heading for a breakdown, with Harriet looking after all aspects of her sister's life while Hester is desperate for something to call her own, and Aggie, Humphrey's mild-mannered and absent minded sister-in-law, is a widowed mother to three children she doesn't understand: Joey, hateful of his office job and eager for the freedom of farm work; solid, quiet Monica who spends her days not at Oxford reading and studying, and Elaine, desperate to leave Reddington behind and have control of her own life. Humphrey's sister Doreen and her daughter Bridget have a fraught relationship, with Bridget torn between her mother's desire for her to make a marriage that will increase their social standing and the affection she feels towards her best friend's brother, Terry. Will this family ever manage to find happiness and equilibrium? Journeying Wave by Richmal Crompton explores the changes sparked by Viola and Humphrey's divorce, letting us into the inner thoughts, feelings and dreams of an extended family. We visit numerous points of view, revealing just how rich and varied our internal lives truly are – and how there are many paths to happiness.

Summer has arrived and the Cotteril children are looking forward to the Holiday. For Thea, Susan, Peter and Jane it's always a special time of year, as they escape their lives in the suburbs and visit the delights of the countryside with their mother and father. All sorts of exciting adventures await them as they explore unfamiliar surroundings and meet a collection of fascinating new neighbours. For Peter and Jane the magic of the Holiday is as alive as ever and they delight in discovery: exploring inside gardens, visiting a new sweet shop and finding plenty of places to play hide and seek. But for Thea and Susan, the two eldest, their experience of the Holiday starts to change. As they begin to move into the dizzyingly complicated sphere of the Grown-Ups, Richmal Crompton's The Holiday becomes a journey of discovery into what it is to be an adult . . .

Even as a child all Vicky wants is love. She seeks it from her governess; she expects it from the lowly, loyal gardener, Andrew; but most of all, she is desperate for it from the one person who can't see beyond shadows of the past and open his heart to her – her father. As Vicky grows up, her beauty blossoms, and when she meets vivacious artist, Philip – a passionate, fiery-haired man who crashes into her carefully ordered life – everything changes. Falling in love and being loved in return fills a hole in Vicky she wasn't even aware she had. But it's the start of the twentieth century and times are changing. Not even Vicky can control the developments of the age. Yet, as the seasons come round with comforting regularity, so too do the familiar patterns of human life in Richmal Crompton's There Are Four Seasons.

When Lettice Helston's high-society marriage breaks down, leaving a hole in her life, she flees her London life for the comfort of her friend Dorrie. But an unexpected detour to the charming village of Steffan Green introduces her to new friends, some in dire need of her help, and uncovers a decades old scandal that could have disastrous consequences for present generations. With the help of parson's wife and ex-suffragette, Mrs. Fanshaw, along with an ensemble of well-drawn and quirky characters, Lettice begins to find peace and consolation by immersing herself in her new country life. But is there someone else who can finally bring her happiness? Steffan Green by Richmal Crompton is a delightful account of country living in the 1930s, full of honest, wry and humorous observations about social class, adversity and human nature.