The Selfish Giant & Other Classic Tales by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is best known for his plays, stories and poems, and for the amusing comments he made on a huge range of topics. Some readers may be surprised that this famous personality also wrote stories for children. His own mother, Jane Francisca Speranza Wilde, was a well-known writer, too. Perhaps she told stories to her children when they were small, inspiring her son to entertain his children in turn. Wilde’s stories for children are full of comedy, but they do not ignore the harsher side of life, and they have a moral message to impart. Oscar Wilde’s stories for children display the lively wit and wisdom for which his famous plays are celebrated. This beautiful collection brings together six poignant tales of love, loss, riches, poverty, hope and happiness, including The Nightingale and the Rose, The Devoted Friend, The Remarkable Rocket, The Young King, The Happy Prince, and – of course – The Selfish Giant. Their bittersweet ambience ensures that these stories can be enjoyed by thoughtful children and adults alike. Specially retold for younger children by Nicola Baxter and with sumptuous illustrations by Jenny Thorne, this charming book is an ideal introduction to Wilde’s work. Â