Dame Jacqueline Wilson has written a reimagined version of classic children’s story The Railway Children.
The author’s new book The Primrose Railway Children will be published by Puffin in September.
Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children was originally published in 1906.
The book has been illustrated by Rachael Dean.
The Railway Children tells the story of a mother and her three children who move to the countryside after their father disappears.
Dame Jacqueline said: “I’ve always loved E Nesbit’s wonderful classic The Railway Children but I’ve also felt she wasn’t quite fair to the youngest child Phyllis.
“All she can say about her is that ‘she meant extremely well’.
“I’ve reimagined the story from the youngest child’s point of view.
“The Nesbit book is very much a fairy story where every problem is wondrously overcome by heroic mother and an old gentleman friend.
“In my modern story, there are no easy solutions – but the children still have exciting adventures and I promise there’s a happy ending.
“Rachael Dean’s beautiful illustrations add an extra magical touch to the story.”
Dean said: “I am extremely honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with one of the best writers this country has ever produced.
“As a young girl I would religiously read Jacqueline’s books, so to be able to illustrate this book for her now is truly surreal.
“I feel very grateful and excited abut what lies ahead.”
The Primrose Railway Children will be published on September 16.
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