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.

"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.

Book Excerpt: ...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'"...

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.

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.

The quartet at the heart of this delightful novel are the four Gainsborough siblings: beautiful but vain Lorna, ultra-sensitive Adrian, nature-loving Laurence and thoughtful, strange little Jenifer. We join them in 1900 – four happy children at the heart of a loving family, idolizing their strikingly beautiful mother, shrinking from their emotionally damaged Aunt Lena and ill-tempered governess, Miss Marchant. As their world widens on the journey to adulthood – through the advent of the motor car, the horrors of the First World War, the trials and tribulations of unrequited love and unfulfilled dreams – they must fight to keep that happiness. But with Lorna compelled to make everyone love her, Adrian’s artistic genius crippled by over-sensitivity to criticism, and Laurence so intent on success in business that he forgets to really live, will Jenifer’s clear-sighted pragmatism be enough to save them? A beautiful exploration of love and family, Quartet has a vivid cast of characters worthy of Elizabeth Gaskell and paints a wonderful, affectionate portrait of childhood to rival Richmal Crompton’s Just William.

Frost at Morning is the heart-breaking 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 spiraling 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 become 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, Frost at Morning is a wonderful exploration of childhood and an evocative portrait of interwar Britain.

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.

Everyone's favourite troublemaker is causing trouble all year round in this charming, festive anniversary edition of William at Christmas, with nine classic stories by Richmal Crompton - updated for a new generation of readers. Featuring Thomas Henry’s original illustrations and an introduction by Julia Donaldson. 'William is as fresh and funny as ever' – Chris Riddell, author and illustrator. 'Gloriously funny' – Sue Townsend, author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3⁄4 There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable imp has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting readers since 1922. It’s the holiday season and William Brown has lots to do. Not only does he need to find the hidden Christmas presents and get ready for the local pantomime, but he also has to put up with prim and proper aunts. Joined by his gang of ever faithful Outlaws, he’s sure to make Christmas unforgettable and attract trouble wherever he goes. Enjoy more of William's adventures in Just William, More William, William Again and William the Outlaw.

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 . . .

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 . . .

A joyful anniversary edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Richmal Crompton's bestselling, much-loved classic Just William - updated for a new generation of readers. Featuring the original text illustrations by Thomas Henry and an introduction by Sue Townsend. 'William is as fresh and funny as ever' - Chris Riddell 'Gloriously funny' - Sue Townsend, author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable bundle of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. Whether he's meant to be babysitting, putting on a show with his trusty gang of friends, the Outlaws, or meeting his faithful dog, Jumble, William Brown always has a new scheme up his sleeve. His intentions are good but nothing ever quite goes to plan in this hilarious collection of eleven stories about everyone's favourite troublemaker. Enjoy more of William's adventures in More William, William Again, William the Outlaw and William at Christmas.

William is back and just as mischievous as ever! Dive into this collection of classic adventure stories by Richmal Crompton, featuring the endearing and troublesome William Brown - updated for a new generation of readers. Bursting with fun, adventure and wit, this centenary anniversary edition features Thomas Henry’s original inside illustrations and an introduction by Louise Rennison. 'William is as fresh and funny as ever' - Chris Riddell 'Gloriously funny' - Sue Townsend, author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable ball of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. In this collection of fourteen stories, William Brown has his sights set on the stage. When William gets to work writing, directing and performing in his very own play, he intends to amaze and impress his audience – whether they like it or not! Enjoy more of William's adventures in Just William, More William, William the Outlaw and William at Christmas.

William is up to his old tricks and ready for trouble! Richmal Compton's William the Fourth is the fourth classic set of adventures featuring the hero of Just William, with an introduction by screenwriter and Cosmic author Frank Cottrell Boyce. Whether he's occupying a bear suit that's slightly too small for him, cloaked in mystery as a fortune teller or attired in the flowing robes of a Fairy Queen, William is unmistakably himself: trouble in human form. Only Great-Aunt Jane manages to take William on at his own game – and win! This collection of fourteen brilliant Just William stories features appealing contemporary cover art by Lydia Monks, along with the original inside illustrations by Thomas Henry. There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. Enjoy more of William's adventures in William Again and William the Conqueror.

William is up to his old tricks in More William, Richmal Compton's second set of classic William adventures. When Aunt Lucy tells William that 'a busy day is a happy day', William does his best to keep himself very busy indeed. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates his efforts to cheer up Christmas Day - and when a conjuring trick with an egg goes very badly wrong, William finds himself in more trouble than ever! With a fun contemporary cover look illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, along with the original inside illustrations of Thomas Henry, the fourteen fantastic Just William stories in More William are as funny as ever. There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922.