Here is a timeless treasure trove of escapism from the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens. This quartet of novels forming the 'World's End' series was her first work for children, begun just before the 'Follyfoot' books.

Tom, Carrie, Em, Michael – with their cats, fish, dog and hibernating turtle – are sent to live with their aunt and uncle when their mother is in hospital and their father is sailing round the world. However, Aunt Valentina can't cope with their 'private zoo' and the children think she's stupid. Doors bang, people yell, the cats fight, the piano is hammered in frustration. So Uncle Rudolph lets them live at 'World's End' instead, a run-down inn that he acquired. To them, the broken windows, weeds and rickety benches that greet them represent a new rural life of excitement and freedom. Carrie can smell the presence of a horse in the old stables – and a horse is her dream.

With a love of animals at their heart, these stories conjure an idyllic world of gentle adventure, with the kind of humorous dialogue and vivid characterisation that rewards listeners of all ages.