Susan Coolidge was a Civil War nurse who never had a family, and still she was able to capture the heart of children. What Katy Did is her best-known work. Katy Carr and her family lived in the 1860's. Katy wants to be beautiful but she is a tomboy who is always getting into mischief. She is injured in an accident and her recovery gives her the time she needs to learn to be kind and good the way she had always dreamed of being. What Katy Did Next is the sequel written to let readers know what Katy did after leaving school.

The 'What Katy Did' trilogy was first published in the late 1800s, but was there ever such a modern girl as wild, irrepressible Katy? What makes this novel so groundbreaking is Coolidge's realistic portrait of a childhood, with the high spirits, temper tantrums and naughtiness you'd expect to see in any 'normal' child. Coolidge is not interested in sermonising and morals, and her characters aren't in a continual quest for perfection; she's interested in the people, their imperfections, a family and its dynamics. Which is why these books are so enjoyable to a modern audience, and why they...

Published in 1872, this classic coming of age book tells the story of twelve-year-old Katy Carr, an impish tomboy who is forever getting into scrapes and bending the rules to suit herself. Katy lives with her three younger sisters and two brothers in the American countryside; their mother has died and their father, a Doctor, is constantly busy, leaving the youngsters under the control of their fastidious Aunt Izzie, who vainly attempts to direct Katy's energies into more conventional channels. But Katy's carefree, irresponsible existence takes a turn for the worse when she injures her back...

Katy Carr can hardly believe it when she is invited to spend a whole year in Europe with Mrs Ashe and Amy. Although a year seems like a long time away from her beloved family, living in the small American town of Burnet, Katy embarks enthusiastically on her greatest adventure.

A collection that will be coveted by children and adults alike, this list is the best in children's literature, curated by Virago. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden (Carrie's War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The Serial Garden, The Gift Giving) E. Nesbit (The Psammead...

The 'What Katy Did' trilogy was first published in the late 1800s, but was there ever such a modern girl as wild, irrepressible Katy? One of the first realistic portraits of a child in literature, the character was groundbreaking and the book is as enjoyable today as when it was first published.

A beautiful gift edition of Susan Coolidge's famous children's book What Katy Did, introduced by renowned children's author Jacqueline Wilson and with original illustrations by Addie Ledyard.