Classics with Ruskin

Heartfelt poems and engaging stories for and about children by one of the greatest writers of Indian literature. In The Crescent Moon, Rabindranath Tagore brings alive the world of a child-in some poems he describes the simple joys of children at play, while in others, he feels the bonds of affection between mother and child, and in yet others, he expresses wonder at the earthly beauty all around us. Also included here are some of his most thought-provoking stories with themes that are relevant for children. In 'The Kabuliwalla' little Minnie becomes friendly with a burly Afghan man, but will she remember him when he returns after many years? 'The Parrot's Tale' is an allegory about the perils of the modern system of education, and 'The Kingdom of Cards', set in a fantasyland of cards, is a powerful statement against the stifling of freedom of any kind. Playful, innocent and full of tender love, with themes that will resonate with readers who are young and old, The Crescent Moon- with a thoughtful introduction by Ruskin Bond-is truly an enduring classic.

The thrilling adventures of Sinbad the sailor, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, and Princess Periezade-from the unforgettable 1001 Arabian Nights. Princess Scheherazade's tales of the Arabian Nights, composed over ten centuries ago, have captivated the imagination of generations of readers. These unforgettable tales of adventure, magic and fantasy come alive in this collection. In 'Sinbad the Sailor', the prosperous sailor narrates his seven incredible ship journeys. In each of these voyages he ends up shipwrecked and encounters gigantic snakes and birds, cannibals, mythical creatures and more. But he escapes each time using his wit, amassing great wealth in the process. In 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', Ali Baba and his family discover a secret cave filled with glittering gems and gold. But who will rescue them when the thieves trap them in the cave? And, in a lesser-known gem of a tale, the brave and intelligent Princess Periezade goes in search of the singing tree, the talking bird and the golden fountain, all of which lead her to an even greater secret. Dive into this collection, specially selected and introduced by Ruskin Bond, to enter a world full of wonder, enchantment and daredevilry.

The classic fictionalized story of a little boy who lived to be perhaps the greatest king this world has ever seen. Long before he entered history books as Emperor Akbar, the Great Mughal, Prince Akbar was a brave young boy, growing up alone while his father Humayun was far away, fighting to win back the throne of Hindustan. But, he had his faithful companions, a fierce black sheepdog and a clever snow-white cat, to protect him from demons and other dangers. Join him in The Adventures of Prince Akbar as he is, entangled in conspiracies and battles, foils his wicked uncle's attempts to kidnap him and playfully chases a bear over the snow, into a hidden green valley.

A thrilling subterranean adventure filled with startling and strange discoveries When Professor Otto Liedenbrock comes across a strange code, he is convinced that it points the way to reaching the center of the earth. With the help of his nephew Axel, he deciphers the code and with Axel at his side, sets off for Iceland. There, they venture down the crater of a volcano. Travelling further and further, deeper into the earth using a series of interconnected passageways, they have incredible adventures and close encounters with death. The discoveries they make inside the earth are as astounding as they are unbelievable. From the existence of an underground sea and echoing chambers, to prehistoric animals and much more, the explorers go from one exciting episode to another. But, will they be able to find their way back to the surface of the earth finally?

A selection of the most thrilling detective stories ever written by the master storyteller. Sherlock Holmes, the world's cleverest detective, sets forth in this collection of six extraordinary stories to solve some of the most intriguing cases of his career. What was the mysterious 'speckled band' that a woman referred to with her dying breath? What do the dancing men signify and why do they bring death in their wake? Is there really a league of red-headed men, or is it a conspiracy so audacious that only Holmes can sense it? Will Sherlock Holmes meet his end at the hands of the evil Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls? The cases of Sherlock Holmes have held readers spellbound ever since they were first published. In 1927, the stories in this volume were chosen by the author himself as some of the best he had written. Introduced here by Ruskin Bond, The Very Best of Sherlock Holmes presents the great detective in all his brilliant glory for a new generation of readers.