
A lively tale opens in a bustling Blackheath home, where the narrator and cousins trade ordinary holidays for extraordinary schemes. Among the greenhouses and modern comforts sits a remarkable printing press—more than a toy, it promises a secret project that will unfold later. The children’s days are spent filling bazaar bags, skipping through muggy weather, and dreaming up games that blur the line between play and purpose.
When a mischievous challenge erupts—a wager to fling a ball over the very house—friendships are tested and imaginations sparked. The narrative weaves witty dialogue, quirky illustrations of caped figures, dragons, and a black‑winged monster, hinting at the curious adventures that lie just beyond the garden gate. Listeners will enjoy the charming blend of domestic detail and whimsical suspense that sets the stage for a delightful, slightly mysterious coming‑of‑age journey.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (390K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-05-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1924
Best known for The Railway Children and The Story of the Treasure-Seekers, this inventive English writer helped shape modern children's fantasy with stories that feel warm, funny, and startlingly real. She also wrote poetry and adult fiction, bringing the same lively imagination to a wide range of work.
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