Most Popular Books by Eva Ibbotson

Which Witch? is a brilliantly witty tale of magic and marriage by Eva Ibbotson, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. ''Find me a witch!'' cried Arriman the Awful, feared Wizard of the North. Arriman has decided to marry. His wife must be a witch of the darkest powers – but which witch will she be? To find the most fiendish, he holds a spell-casting competition. Glamorous Madame Olympia performs the terrifying Symphony of Death and conjures up a thousand plague-bearing rats. The magic of gentle Belladonna, the white witch, goes hopelessly wrong. She produces perfumed flowers instead of snakes. And bats roost in her golden hair instead of becoming blood-sucking vampires. Poor Belladonna longs to be an evil enchantress – but how? ''This kind of fun will never fail to delight'' - Philip Pullman.

The ghosts of Britain need a sanctuary. Castles with central heating, bogs drained for motorways, dismal forests cleared for car parks-there are few places left for a respectable ghost to haunt. Humphrey the Horrible (actually his name is simply Humphrey-he added "the Horrible" to help himself become horrible) is a small, mostly unsuccessful ghost in a family of ghastly ghouls. His mother worries. But Humphrey has enough pluck to befriend a smart, politically aware schoolboy, Rick Henderson, who is willing to take the ghosts'' cause right to the top, to number 10 Downing Street-home of the Prime Minister.

''A fairy tale for grown-ups. It''s unapologetically romantic but it''s also extremely funny, wry, dry and witty - and hugely uplifting.'' – Marian Keyes, Daily Mail As WWI draws to a close, a love affair that stretches across countries, families and class begins, in master storyteller Eva Ibbotson''s classic historical romance The Secret Countess, with an introduction from Amanda Craig. Anna Grazinsky, a young Russian countess, has lived in the glittering city of St Petersburg all her life in an ice-blue palace overlooking the River Neva. But when revolution tears Russia apart, her now-penniless family is forced to flee to England. Armed with an out-of-date book on housekeeping, Anna determines to help her family in any way possible, and she is soon hired as a housemaid at the Earl of Westerholme''s crumbling but magnificent mansion. Then Rupert, the young Earl, returns home from the war and is fascinated by his new housemaid, and the more time they spend together the more they feel inexplicably drawn together. But they can never be together; Rupert is already engaged and Anna is only a servant . . . ''I have binged on Eva Ibbotson . . . her elegantly written, witty and well-observed fables'' – Nigella Lawson, The Times Rediscover Eva Ibbotson, award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in her sweeping historical romances, including The Morning Gift, A Song For Summer and The Secret Countess, originally published as A Countess Below Stairs.

Under Platform 13 at King''s Cross Station there is a secret door that leads to a magical island . . . It appears only once every nine years. And when it opens, four mysterious figures step into the streets of London. A wizard, an ogre, a fey and a young hag have come to find the prince of their kingdom, stolen as a baby nine years before. But the prince has become a horrible rich boy called Raymond Trottle, who doesn''t understand magic and is determined not to be rescued. Shortlisted for the Smarties Prize, The Secret of Platform 13 is an exciting magical adventure from Eva Ibbotson, the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea. ''This kind of fun will never fail to delight'' Philip Pullman

A Company of Swans is a sweeping tale of romance, freedom and the beauty of dance from award-winning author, Eva Ibbotson, with a new introduction by Joanna Nadin. Weekly ballet classes are Harriet Morton''s only escape from her intolerably dull life. So when she is chosen to join a corps de ballet which is setting off on a tour of the Amazon, she leaps at the chance to run away for good. Performing in the grand opera houses is everything Harriet dreamed of, and falling in love with an aristocratic exile makes her new life complete. Swept away by it all, she is unaware that her father and intended fiancé have begun to track her down . . . ''I have binged on Eva Ibbotson . . . her elegantly written, witty and well-observed fables'' Nigella Lawson, The Times Rediscover Eva Ibbotson, award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in her sweeping historical romances, including The Morning Gift, A Song For Summer and The Secret Countess, originally published as A Countess Below Stairs, Magic Flutes, originally published as The Reluctant Heiress, Madensky Square and A Company of Swans.

''Sophisticated, brilliantly plotted and gloriously funny'' – Guardian ''Written with such a lightness of touch and extraordinary charm that they always change my mood to hopeful. Absolute balm.'' – Marian Keyes ''Her books are utterly delightful'' – Daily Mail The Morning Gift by award-winner Eva Ibbotson is a modern classic of unexpected love, independence and belonging during World War II. Spring 1938: as Hitler marches into Austria, Ruth Berger''s family is forced to flee, but a devastating misunderstanding leaves her alone in Nazi-occupied Vienna. There is no hope of escape until a chance meeting with an old family friend, Quinton Somerville, offers her refuge through a marriage of convenience. On arrival in London, Ruth and Quin find that dissolving their marriage is not as simple as they had thought, nor is keeping it secret. As war approaches, how will Ruth start a new life if she is not able to break away from the past?

Sent with her governess to live with the dreadful Carter family in exotic Brazil in 1910, Maia endures many hardships before fulfilling her dream of exploring the Amazon River.

With a beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, Not Just A Witch is a wonderfully spooky young fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson. ''I want you to change the next wicked person you see into a tiger,'' demanded Lionel. ''A very large tiger.'' Heckie is not just a witch – she''s an animal witch, who wants to make the world a better place by transforming evil people into harmless animals, using her incredible Toe of Transformation and her awesome Knuckle of Power. But when slimy Lionel Knapsack charms Heckie, her magic begins to take a darker direction. Her friends, including a cheese wizard and a boy called Daniel, must come to the rescue . . .

A delicious historical romance perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs After the Russian Revolution turns her world topsy-turvy, Anna, a young Russian countess, has no choice but to flee to England. penniless, Anna hides her aristocratic background and takes a job as servant in the household of the esteemed Westerholme family, armed only with an outdated housekeeping manual and sheer determination. Desperate to keep her past a secret, Anna is nearly overwhelmed by her new duties--not to mention her instant attraction to Rupert, the handsome Earl of Westerholme. to make matters worse, Rupert appears to be falling for her as well. As their attraction grows stronger, Anna finds it more and more difficult to keep her most dearly held secrets from unraveling. And then there''s the small matter of Rupert''s beautiful and nasty fiancee. . . .

With beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, Dial a Ghost is a wonderfully spooky young fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson. ''Get me some ghosts,'' said Fulton Snodde-Brittle. ''Frightful and dangerous ghosts!'' Fulton has gone to the Dial a Ghost agency with an evil plan. He wants to hire some truly terrifying ghosts to scare his nephew Oliver to death. The Shriekers are the most violent and sickening spectres the agency has, but a mix-up means the kind Wilkinson ghosts are sent in their place. Now Oliver has some spooky allies to help him outwit the wicked Snodde-Brittles . . .

A gorgeous 20th anniversary hardback jacketed gift edition of Eva Ibbotson''s award-winning, bestselling classic adventure. Fully illustrated in colour throughout by Katie Hickey. ''The most perfect children''s book . . . captivatingly told, funny and moving'' – Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times A joyous Amazon adventure set in the lush nature of Brazil, Journey to the River Sea is filled with mystery and extraordinary characters. It''s perfect for girls and boys of 9+. Maia, an orphan, can''t wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures. Instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy and refuse to go outdoors. But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins and their parents. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary and beautiful new world. Winner of the Smarties Gold Medal. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Award (now the Costa).

A whip-smart observation of the passions and tragedies behind daily life, Eva Ibbotson''s Madensky Square is a classic snapshot of Viennese life before WWI, with a new introduction from Laura Wood. Susanna Weber''s dress shop stands in the picturesque Madensky Square, a quiet little world of its own, nestled in the heart of glittering pre-war Vienna. As the winter of 1910 unfurls into spring, Susanna starts a journal about life in the Square, about the buildings and their colourful inhabitants. There''s Frau Schumacher, with six daughters and a baby on the way, Professor Starsky and his menagerie of sickly reptiles, an aging bookseller, a teenaged Anarchist, and little Sigi – an orphaned child prodigy forced to play the piano all day, every day. And then there''s her dear friend Alice, the only person who has noticed the heartbreak that hides beneath Susanna''s brisk kindness and brilliant talent . . . Discover more of Eva Ibbotson''s sweeping historical romances in Magic Flutes, The Morning Gift, The Secret Countess, A Song for Summer and A Company of Swans, all with brand new introductions.

With a beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, The Haunting of Hiram is a wonderfully spooky young fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson. ''I will buy your castle,'' declared Hiram C. Hopgood. ''But only if there are no ghosts!'' Alex MacBuff can''t afford to keep his beloved Castle Carra, and an American millionaire has made him an offer he can''t refuse. The castle is shipped all the way to Texas, but its ghostly inhabitants, including Krok the Viking warrior and a hell-hound called Cyril, follow their home across the Atlantic. How can Alex stop them haunting Hiram and also save the millionaire''s daughter from an evil ransom plot?

Award-winner Eva Ibbotson''s hugely entertaining The Star of Kazan is a timeless classic for readers of any age. Perfect for fans of Journey to the River Sea. With a gorgeous updated cover by Katie Hickey. ''Packed with wit and adventure'' – The Times Ever since she was found abandoned as a baby in 1896, Annika has lived in the servants'' quarters at a grand house in Vienna. She loves the other servants as if they were family, and she adores the magnificent, glittering city. There is only one thing that Annika longs for: the day her real mother comes to find her. So when a beautiful aristocrat arrives to claim her, it is as if Annika has walked into her own dream. Whisked off to her true home – a remote estate far, far from Vienna – her new life begins. But the dark and crumbling castle echoes with secrets and lies, and as Annika unravels the truth she finds herself in terrible danger . . .

All Hal had ever wanted was a dog. But his wealthy parents refuse to allow him one, until they discover Easy Pets, a convenient dog-rental agency. Terrier Fleck arrives on Hal''s birthday, but when he discovers that his dog must be returned, he runs away - taking Fleck with him. A wonderful adventure from a great and much-loved children''s author.

Set against the backdrop of gathering war, A Song for Summer is an unforgettable love story from master storyteller Eva Ibbotson, with an introduction from Ella Risbridger. When Ellen Carr abandons grey, dreary London to become housekeeper at an experimental school in Austria, she soon knows she''s found her calling. Swept into an idyllic world of mountains, music, eccentric teachers and wayward children, Ellen brings order and joy to all around her. But it''s the handsome, mysterious gardener, Marek, who intrigues her – Marek, who has a dangerous secret. As Hitler''s troops march across Europe, Ellen finds she has promises to keep, even if it means sacrificing her future happiness . . . ''I have binged on Eva Ibbotson . . . her elegantly written, witty and well-observed fables'' Nigella Lawson, The Times

Sweeping across countries, class and music, Eva Ibboton''s classic historical romance, Magic Flutes, is a richly imagined tale of intrigue and identity, with a new introduction from Harriet Evans. In the spring of 1922, young Austrian Princess Theresa-Maria – known to her ancient aunts as ''Putzerl'' – abandons her crumbling castle and her royal duties. Disguising herself simply as Tessa, she enrolls as under wardrobe mistress of the International Opera Company and soon loses herself in the intoxicating world of the Viennese opera. But when Guy Farne, an Englishman looking to impress his new fiance, arrives in Austria and employs the Company to perform at his newly purchased Austrian estate, he finds himself fascinated by the under wardrobe mistress, and Tessa finds it increasingly difficult to keep her two lives separate . . . ''I have binged on Eva Ibbotson . . . her elegantly written, witty and well-observed fables'' Nigella Lawson, The Times Rediscover Eva Ibbotson, award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in her sweeping historical romances, including The Morning Gift, A Song For Summer, The Secret Countess (originally published as A Countess Below Stairs), Madensky Square and A Company of Swans. Magic Flutes was originally published as The Reluctant Heiress.

Aunt Etta, Aunt Coral, and Aunt Myrtle need help caring for the mermaids, selkies, and other creatures who live on their hidden island-and they know that adults can''t be trusted.