Most Popular Books by Richmal Crompton

Everyone''s favourite troublemaker, William Brown, is back in Richmal Crompton''s William, a hilarious collection of stories from the classic Just William series – with a gorgeous cover illustrated by the award-winning Lauren Child and an introduction by actress Bonnie Langford. 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. Enjoy more of William''s adventures in William the Bad and William''s Happy Days.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.