Dame Jacqueline Wilson has written a "reimagined" version of the classic children’s story The Railway Children.
The former Children's Laureate – known for her series of Tracy Beaker books – will publish the new story later this year with Puffin.
The Primrose Railway Children will also feature illustrations by Liverpool-based artist Rachael Dean.
The Railway Children tells the story of a mother and her three children who move to the countryside after their father disappears.
The original story by Edith Nesbit was published in 1906.
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 16 September.
