Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children

By Author / Illustrator

Oscar Wilde, Lauren O'Hara

Genre

Short reads

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Island

ISBN

9781915071897

Format

Hardback

Published

21-10-2025

Synopsis

Oscar Wilde has enchanted readers young and old alike for over a hundred years. In 1888, he published a collection of bedtime stories for children. This beautiful collection contains six of these classic tales, including 'The Happy Prince', 'The Selfish Giant', and 'The Nightingale and the Rose'.

For the first time, these beloved stories from the great Irish queer author are being published in a major new edition by an Irish publisher. With high-quality paper, a linen-effect cover, gold foil details, ribbon bookmark and classic binding touches, this keepsake hardback edition, printed and bound in Italy, is crafted to be treasured and shared.

Feeling both classic and fresh, timeless and modern, Lauren O'Hara's delicate, rich colour illustrations bring this cornerstone of children's literature to life for readers of all ages.

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Reviews

Sue

Containing six enduring tales, this new edition of Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children is an absolute delight. The collection contains two of his best loved and best known stories, 'The Happy Prince' and 'The Selfish Giant', both tales which I loved as a child.

There is always some debate with Wilde's fairy tales as to whether they are truly meant for children as they are sometimes dark and emotionally charged. I cried for ages on first reading 'The Happy Prince' - yet borrowed it from the library again and again. However, any adult considering sharing these stories with the children in their lives, whether at home or at school, would be well advised to pre-read them to be able to discuss and enjoy sharing them with younger readers as they feel appropriate.

However, these stories are full of memorable characters and offer so much to discuss and reflect on and this edition is so beautifully illustrated, making it the perfect choice. Pages are edged with papercuts which frame the text and adorn the endpapers whilst gorgeous paintings accompany each story. The style of these give the book a charming, timeless feeling, making this a wonderful collection to introduce children to Wilde's stories. Essential for readers young and old!

96 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher