Most Popular Books by Dodie Smith

Dodie Smith’s classic tale adapted into a playful and stylish new picture book Dalmatians Pongo and Missis live in London with their beloved owners. When Missis finds out she’s going to have puppies, they’re all thrilled! But, Missis doesn’t just have one puppy . . . or two . . . or three . . . she has fifteen! When the puppies go missing, Pongo and Missis know that there’s only one woman who can be behind the dognapping: the notorious Cruella de Vil. They strike out across the city and—with a little help from the street dogs of London—rescue their pups and many, many more from a terrible fate.

The tale of an eccentric and impoverished English family whose home is a ruined 14th century castle. The story is presented in the form of a diary by the family''s teen daughter. By the author of The One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Martin''s Press."

The book that inspired the animated movie classic! When Dearly''s Dalmatians have their first litter of pups—fifteen in all—everyone is delighted. But their joy is shortlived, for the pups are kidnapped! Scotland Yard is baffled, but the keenest canine minds are on the case—and on the trail of Cruella de Vil, the most fiendish person to ever covet a fur coat. Pongo and Missis would give everything they have to bring their puppies safely home... but will they succeed in rescuing them from the cluthes of the evil Cruella de Vil? "A tale full to overflowing with those prime requisites of a good story—warmth and humor, imagination and suspense."—Chicago Sunday Tribune "Superb reading. The puzzle of the hundred and one is delightful.... Highly recommended."—SLJ

From the author of I Capture the Castle and The Hundred and One Dalmatians, an unusual adventure in which humour and more than a touch of strangeness are inextricably blended. When Jane Minton arrives at Dome House as a secretary-housekeeper, she finds herself sharing the comfortable country home of four attractive young people. Their charming widower father, Rupert Carrington is too occupied with his London business to see very much of them. Richard, the eldest, is a composer; Clare, whose true talents (if they can be called that) have not yet disclosed themselves, dreams of courtly romance; Drew is collecting material for a novel; and Merry, still at school, has her heart set on a stage career. Jane is warmly welcomed into this happy household and feels her luck is too good to be true. However, the private world of Dome House is fated to break up as Rupert flees England under threat of prosecution for fraud. He asks Jane to break the news to the children, who must now fend for themselves, and to do what she can to help them. However, the Carringtons are extremely unusual young people and the story of the eclectic choices they make next is an absorbing and unpredictable one.

From the author of I Capture the Castle comes a delightful, funny tale of complicated sibling relationships, friendship, and forbidden love, set in 1970s England Suspecting her husband, George, of dalliances in the city, May decides it is high time the family moved to the country. Determined to create the perfect home there, she finds an idyllic country house set in a lilac grove and sets about furnishing it properly and cooking enormous meals. She even manages to convince her less well-off sister, June, to move into a cozy cottage on the grounds with her husband Robert. This new set-up is very much a family affair as June''s husband Robert just happens to be George''s brother: the two sisters are married to two brothers. At first both families seem to be settling in well, sharing delicious meals and having fun times together. Their grown-up children, Hugh and Corinna, visit from London and there even seems to be a hint of romance in the air for them, while the surviving grandparents from both sides of the family move into the big house and forge new friendships. But the arrival of a cantankerous great aunt will reveal the cracks in the family''s tangled relationships and will even threaten to unveil the greatest secret of all—while May thought moving George to the country would put a stop to his affairs, he has begun to fall in love with his sister-in-law, June. The death of a beloved character will, however, turn the tables again and lead to the ultimate, happy, denouement.

The long-forgotten sequel to The Hundred and One Dalmatians, the classic adapted by Disney, presents a thrilling adventure for Pongo and his family. As the story opens, every living creature except dogs is gripped by an enchanted sleep. One of the original Dalmatian puppies, all grown up since the first novel, is now the Prime Minister’s mascot. Relying on her spotted parents for guidance, she assumes emergency leadership for the canine population of England. Awaiting advice from Sirius, the Dog Star, dogs of every breed crowd Trafalgar Square to watch the evening skies. The message they receive is a disturbing proposition, one that might forever destroy their status as “man''s best friend.” Includes lavish illustrations by the same artist team as The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

During a summer festival in an English spa town Miles Quentin, a distinguished actor, and his devoted wife become friendly with the local MP Geoffrey Thornton, and his young daughters Robin and Kit. All of these attractive, intelligent and busy people seem untroubled at first. But the surface of their lives conceals problems which start to come to light after the Quentin''s return to their London theatre world and the Thornton''s to their Westminster home. This leads to an unconventional love story in which loyalty may prove more important than love. It Ends with Revelations deals with complex issues of love and commitment, while retaining elements of the light hearted comedy of I Capture The Castle and the nostalgic charm of The Town in Full Bloom. As ever, the vivacity of Dodie Smith''s writing and the warmth of her characters will keep readers guessing until the last page.

A determined young Lancashire girl arrives in London intent on a stage career - this tale from the author of I Capture the Castle is told with the candour and authenticity that derives from Dodie Smith''s own experience of the theatre world. Mouse never did fully suit her nickname. Tiny she may have been, but timid never. After less than twenty-four hours in London she had bluffed her way into an audition at a famous theatre, infuriated its forceful young stage director, and amused its kind if quite amoral actor-manager. She had finally landed not a part but a toehold as a junior secretary. During her involvement in the engrossing affairs of the Crossway Theatre she met her friends Molly, a baby-faced six-footer; and elegant, ambitious Lilian, who was fated to clash disastrously with Mouse. Later, there was also Zelle, rich, generous, enigmatic, and responsible for an outing to Suffolk village pageant which proved a turning point for them all. Life was always surprising the fearless Mouse: when she unexpectedly got to a chance to act she made an unforgettable impression, though not the one she had intended. However, nothing prepared her for the assault of first love, highly unsuitable, but welcomed by her in a way which was to have far-reaching consequences. Only when she looks back after a reunion luncheon does she realise the full effects of that shared summer on her friends and herself. A startlingly frank yet nostalgic read, this is a charming novel about coming of age and the healing effects of time.

A gift edition of this classic tale of pups and villains, with vibrant illustrations by the award-winning Alex T Smith, creator of Claude. ''As comforting as hot buttered toast'' - Guardian THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS When dastardly Cruella De Vil steals a whole litter of Dalmatian puppies to make a new fur coat, the puppies'' parents, Pongo and Missus, lose no time in mounting a daring rescue mission. Will they be in time to thwart Cruella''s evil scheme, or have they bitten off more than they can chew? THE STARLIGHT BARKING There''s a Dalmatian in Number 10 Downing Street. But when strange things start happening, Pongo and his family are in a race against time to save London ... and the world.

Successfully produced in London and New York. Dear Octopus is the family from which none of its members are either able or quite willing to escape. And on the occasion of a golden wedding anniversary the children and grandchildren gather to reminisce and acquaint each other more fully with their activities. The life of this English family is shown in terms of the chatter of the youngsters, the careers and nursery memories of the middle-aged and the sense of the swift passing of the years, the sweetness of an old nurse, the minor frictions and abiding loyalty of brothers and sisters, the feast-day toast and the benevolent tyranny of the grandmother, Woven throughout the proceedings is a love story between fenny, companion to Mrs. Randolph, and Nicholas Randolph.

The author leaves behind her Manchester childhood and comes to London. After training at RADA she launches out as a touring actress. And there are her first attempts at writing.

Get a first look at the books coming this fall from Wednesday Books! Includes sample chapters from beloved authors Lily Anderson, P.C. Cast, Amanda Hocking, and more!

Pongo lives happily with his human pets Mr and Mrs Dearly in a large house in Regent''s Park. When his wife Missis produces a litter of fifteen beautiful pups, life seems wonderfully complete. But the mysterious disappearance of the puppies suddenly throws everything into turmoil. Pongo, one of the keenest brains in Dogdom, quickly realises that he and Missis are the only hope for their youngsters'' survival. And so the fearless pair set out on a bleak winter''s journey into great dangers, helped along the way by the gallant Colonel, a sheepdog of the Old School. Dodie Smith''s canine classic brought pleasure to millions as a Disney film. All its original charm and warmth are fully evident here in this full-cast dramatisation which stars Patricia Hodge as Cruella de Vil, along with Joan Sims, Brenda Blethyn, Nicky Henson and Polly James.

Pongo the dalmatian and his wife, Missis undertake a daring expedition to rescue their fifteen puppies from the clutches of the vicious Cruella de Vil who wishes to make a fur coat from their skins.

Pongo and Missis have 15 Dalmatian puppies, who mysteriously disappear. The alert Pongo suspects a sinister neighbour, Cruella de Vil, and with Misses he sets out to find his family. This volume also includes the sequel, The Starlight Barking.