Walter de la Mare's best stories, including depictions of supernatural occurrences, people haunted by strange dreams, and encounters with ghosts.

Walter de la Mare was a 20th century writer whose most famous work was actually a kid's book, which is ironic because most of his works consisted of psychological horror stories, most notably "Seaton's Aunt" and "Out of the Deep".

Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was one of the best-loved English poets of the twentieth century, his verse admired by contemporaries including Thomas Hardy, Robert Frost, W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliot. This volume presents a new selection of de la Mare's finest poems, including perennial favourites such as 'Napoleon', 'Fare Well' and 'The Listeners', for a twenty-first-century audience. The poems are accompanied by commentaries by William Wootten, which build up a portrait of de la Mare's life, loves and friendships with the likes of Hardy, Rupert Brooke, Edward Thomas and Katherine Mansfield. They also point out the fascinating references to literature, folklore and the natural world that embroider the verse.

The sandy cat by the Farmer's chairMews at his knee for dainty fare;Old Rover in his moss-greened houseMumbles a bone, and barks at a mouse. Carolina Rabei's stunning illustrations beautifully illuminate Walter de la Mare's glorious celebration of a balmy summer's evening. One of four exceptional Walter de la Mare picture books that form a seasonal set, each with complementing colour palates and illustrations by rising young star Carolina Rabei.

An anthology of poems for children.

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la Mare's death, this is the first of a three-volume collection bringing together his short stories. It includes The Riddle and Other Stories (1923) containing 15 stories, Ding, Dong Bell (1924) containing four stories, and The Connoisseur and Other Stories (1926) containing nine stories. Also included are 14 uncollected stories published between 1895 and 1920. De la Mare's earliet published works were stories, the first of them appaering in 1895. There was always a creative counterpoint between the themes and imagery of his prose and poetry, and a full understanding of either is unattainable without knowledge of both. The publication of this volume coincides with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la Mare's death. Kings College London will be holding a one-day conference featuring the stories of Walter de la Mare to coincide with the publication of volume one on November 7, 1996, including speakers such as Professor John Bayley, Julia Briggs, and Russell Hoban.

Slowly, silently, now the moonWalks the night in her silver shoon;This way, and that, she peers, and seesSilver fruit upon silver trees; One spring evening, the fairies gather in the woods. Two sleepy children join in the parade to a wonderful, dream-like fairy party. Illustrated by bright new talent, Carolina Rabei, this Walter de la Mare poem is brought to life with shimmery, ethereal illustrations, making it the perfect book for bedtime. One of four seasonal Walter de la Mare picture books that form a set, each with complementing colour palates and illustrations by rising young star Carolina.

'No breath of wind, No gleam of sun Still the white snow Whirls softly down' As the day draws to a close, a family prepares for Christmas - decorating the tree, hanging stockings by the fire, putting out a plate of mince pies... Outside, the world turns to white.