New Releases by Richmal Crompton

"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.

This charming novel tells the story of Naomi Godstone, a young woman who inherits a small estate in the countryside. As she adapts to life in her new home, Naomi navigates the ins and outs of village society, makes new friends, and discovers the joys and challenges of running a small farm. Author Richmal Crompton brings her signature wit and charm to this heartwarming tale, which is sure to delight readers of all ages. 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.

Ginger was relieved. At any rate they had taken it seriously. They had not wept tears of mirth over it. That afternoon he drew it out of his pocket with a flourish and airily wiped his nose with it. The next morning Henry appeared with a handkerchief almost exactly like it, and the day after that Douglas had one. William felt his prestige lowered. He — the born leader — was the only one of the select circle who did not possess a coloured silk handkerchief...FROM THE BOOK.

He leapt lightly out of bed and dressed. Then he began to arrange his own gifts to his family. For his father he had bought a bottle of highly-coloured sweets, for his elder brother Robert (aged nineteen) he had expended a vast sum of money on a copy of “The Pirates of the Bloody Hand.” These gifts had cost him much thought. The knowledge that his father never touched sweets, and that Robert professed scorn of pirate stories, had led him to hope that the recipients of his gifts would make no objection to the unobtrusive theft of them by their recent donor in the course of the next few days. For his grown-up sister Ethel he had bought a box of coloured chalks. That also might come in useful later. Funds now had been running low, but for his mother he had bought a small cream-jug which, after fierce bargaining, the man had let him have at half-price because it was cracked.. FROM THE BOOK.

Richmal Crompton was a British author who gained fame for her immensely popular series of books featuring the mischievous schoolboy, William Brown. Born in Bury, Lancashire, in 1890, Crompton studied Classics at university before becoming a schoolteacher. However, her true passion lay in writing, and she began her career by contributing short stories to magazines. It was the publication of her first William story in 1919 that brought her widespread recognition and led to the creation of one of the most enduring characters in British children''s literature. Over the next four decades, Crompton wrote more than 40 William books, as well as several novels and collections of short stories for adults. William—In Trouble is the 8th volume in the series, and it features more short stories with William and his Outlaw buddies as they write poetry, join the waits at Christmas singing carols, publish a newsletter, and save William’s sister from a marriage against her will.

A festive edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Richmal Crompton''s bestselling and beloved classic Just William - a series that has been delighting readers for generations.

"Still—William" by Richmal Crompton. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

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.

"William - The Fourth" by Richmal Crompton. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

WILLIAM AGAIN BY RICHMAL CROMPTON William''s back and as mischievous as ever! In Richmal Compton''s William Again William and his mate Ginger have to endure bankruptcy – they don''t even have enough money for sweets. Then William comes up with what he thinks is a fantastic idea! William Again is the third set of stories featuring the endearing and mischievous William Brown; a much-loved character whose adventures have become children''s classics. With an introduction by author and comedian Louise Rennison, this funny and endearing collection of fourteen brilliant Just William stories has an engaging contemporary cover look illustrated by Chris Garbutt along with the original inside illustrations of 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 the Fourth and Still William.There is only one William. The loveable imp has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting hundreds of thousands of readers for years. Here, William and his mate Ginger have to endure bankruptcy—they don''t even have enough money for sweets. Then William comes up with a fantastic idea—they''ll sell Ginger''s twins cousins as slaves! WILLIAM AGAIN BY RICHMAL CROMPTON

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.

In Just William the Outlaws plan a day of non-stop adventure. The only problem is that William is meant to be babysitting. But William won''t let that stop him having fun with his gang--he''ll just bring the baby along! 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. This delightful children''s classic features original inside illustrations by Thomas Henry, and with a ribbon marker and a specially commissioned foreword by Roddy Doyle, it will bring the antics of the mischievous William Brown to a new generation of children.

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.

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.

A deeply engaging portrait of village life with a matchless cast of characters, Leadon Hill bursts with all the light exuberance of Richmal Crompton’s Just William. The quiet English village of Leadon Hill is ruled by Miss Mitcham – a tiny, sharp old woman who sees and hears everything from behind her lace curtains, and brutally tears apart the lives and reputations of those who cross her. Amongst her victims is Marcia Faversham, wife to the fussy and uninspiring John and mother to three young children – sporty, overconfident Hugo, gentle Moyna, and little Tim who has been weakened by polio. When John leaves for a four-month fishing trip, Marcia dares to hope for a little tranquility, but changes are afoot in Leadon Hill; the house next door has been let to Helen West, a young, bohemian woman from Italy, and Miss Mitcham sets out to make her life very unpleasant indeed . . .

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, 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 Crompton''s Just William.

Felicity - Stands By is a delightful, charming set of short stories, 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 organise and matchmake 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.

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 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 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 back! William is up to his old tricks in Richmal Crompton''s William the Good, a hilarious collection of stories with a gorgeous cover illustrated by the award-winning Liz Pichon and an introduction by author Kate Atkinson. Clarence Bergson is such a pain. He''s always getting in the way of William''s ideas and games. When Clarence starts to make friends with the lovely Miss Holding, he has gone too far – it''s time for William to take action. Being good has suddenly become very difficult! There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable 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 the Bad and William''s Happy Days.

Everyone''s favourite troublemaker is back in Richmal Crompton''s William the Bad – with a fun and contemporary cover illustrated by Chris Garbutt and an introduction by writer Anne Fine. William doesn''t understand why he''s not invited to Robert and Ethel''s fancy-dress party – what could possibly go wrong? Desperate for an invite, his search for the perfect costume causes mayhem. Somehow nothing ever goes to plan when William the Bad is around! There is only one William. 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''s Happy Days and William Again.

Everyone''s favourite troublemaker is back and up to no good! William is always in trouble, but sometimes it really isn''t his fault. It was Ginger who showed him the book about Robin Hood, and it was Violet Elizabeth Bott''s idea to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Unfortunately the only rich person they know is Violet''s father, so William''s latest plan to right the world''s wrongs is sure to lead to catastrophe . . . Richmal Crompton''s William the Conqueror is a collection of thirteen brilliant Just William stories with an introduction by actor and comedian Charlie Higson, appealing contemporary cover art by Joe Berger, along with the original inside illustrations by Thomas Henry. There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable 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 in Trouble 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.

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.

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 . . .

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.

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.

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.