She'd been told that her mama had wings and a crown, and she'd been shown pictures of ladies in beautiful white nightgowns, who were said to be angels.

But Sarah seemed to be telling a real story about a lovely country where real people were.

There are fields and fields of flowers, she said, forgetting herself as usual when she began,

and talking rather as if she were in a dream.

Fields and fields of lilies.

And when the soft wind blows over them, it wafts the scent of them into the air,

and everybody always breathes in, because the soft wind is always blowing.

And little children run about in the lily fields and gather up armfuls of them and laugh and make

little wreaths. And the streets are shining, and people are never tired, however

far they walk. They can float anywhere they like, and there are walls made of pearl and gold

all round the city. But they are low enough for people to go and lean on them, and look down onto the earth

and smile and send beautiful messages.

Whatsoever story she had become to tell, Lottie would, no doubt, have stopped crying

and been fascinated into listening. But there was no denying that this story was prettier than most

others.

This season, On Send Me to Sleep, come away with us on the early 20th century adventure of wonder,

kindness and resilience, with Francis Hodgsonennett's A Little Princess. First published in 1905,

this beloved story from the same author as The Secret Garden introduces us to Sarah Crewe, a clever

and kind-hearted girl who arrives at Miss Minchin's London boarding school.

Though her start in life is one of ignorant luxury, fate takes its turn,

and Sarah must learn to navigate hardship with grace and an unshakable belief in her own inner world.

It's a heartwarming journey about the power of imagination,

...