The story of two children’s encounter with an unworldly being in a dream-like world. The wonder-child eventually gives them the strength to overcome many troubles and the personal tragedy. This book is a condensed and simplified version of Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann’s work The Stranger Child (ger. «Das fremde Kind»). The text of the fairy tale is adapted for easier perception by young children and is intended to become an early acquaintance with classics of world literature.

This early work by E. T. A. Hoffmann was originally published in 1817. Born in Königsberg, East Prussia in 1776, Hoffmann's family were all jurists, and during his youth he was initially encouraged to pursue a career in law. However, in his late teens Hoffman became increasingly interested in literature and philosophy, and spent much of his time reading German classicists and attending lectures by, amongst others, Immanuel Kant. Hoffman went on to produce a great range of both literary and musical works. Probably Hoffman's most well-known story, produced in 1816, is 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King', due to the fact that – some seventy-six years later - it inspired Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. In the same vein, his story 'The Sandman' provided both the inspiration for Léo Delibes's ballet Coppélia, and the basis for a highly influential essay by Sigmund Freud, called 'The Uncanny'. (Indeed, Freud referred to Hoffman as the "unrivalled master of the uncanny in literature.") Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions.

“Fracassi’s novel hits me like a cross between McCammon and '80s King. Might be one of them summer blockbusters readers love.” —Laird Barron, author of Worse Angels "A Child Alone with Strangers starts out as a slow burn procedural with supernatural elements and inexorably cranks itself into a pulse-pounding symphony of eldritch horrors and all-too-human violence. Philip Fracassi is the best sort of horror writer--one who is unafraid to hunt for light in even the darkest places." —Shaun Hamill, author of A Cosmology of Monsters When young Henry Thorne is kidnapped and held prisoner in a remote farmhouse surrounded by miles of forest, he finds himself connecting with a strange force living in the woods—using that bond to wreak havoc against his captors. Unknown to the boy, however, is that this ancient being has its own reasons for wanting the interlopers gone—there is something hidden beneath the house, tucked away in the dark, damp root cellar . . . waiting for its return.

Helena Blavatsky is one of the most famous occultists of all time. Founder of The Theosophical Society, she has developed a polarising reputation; her supporters see her as a visionary and a spiritual genius, her detractors as a charlatan and a fraud. First published in 1892, 'The Ensouled Violin' is one of her lesser-known tales. Many of the earliest occult stories, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Hartley White has her life figured out. Her days are spent with either her two best friends or with her nose in a book. Everything changes when the boy across the street is assigned to be Hartley’s partner in English class. Jason Carter keeps to himself because of the rumors circulating about his family. Gossip spreads fast in a small town, whether it’s true or not. One thing that is true, however, is his strong infatuation with Hartley. After having an intimate dream about Jason, Hartley finds herself more curious about this neighborhood stranger. Their relationship develops rapidly, testing the limits of themselves and the people around them. When unexpected tragedy strikes, their love faces another challenge. In a situation rife with secrets, Hartley struggles to make sense of the truth while Jason fights his own battles. Ten days is all it took for Jason and Hartley to fall for one another, but how well do they really know each other?

Clemence Housman was an author and suffragist best-known for her 1896 novella The Were-Wolf, praised by H. P. Lovecraft for “attain[ing] a high degree of gruesome tension and achiev[ing] to some extent the atmosphere of authentic folklore.” Many of the horror stories of monsters and ghouls, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Hailed as one of the finest lyric poets in the English language, Percy Bysshe Shelley was best-known for his verse. However, he also produced a number of acclaimed short prose works, and 'The Assassins' is charged with Shelley's thoughts on politics, life and existence. Many of the gothic romance and horror stories, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.