We didn't mean to go to sea

'Like to spend a night in the Goblin?’The Swallows are staying on the Suffolk coast while they wait for their father to return home from China.

But although the harbour is bursting with bobbing yachts, barges and steamers, this year there's no chance of any sailing for the landlocked Swallows.

That is until they rescue young Jim Brading and his boat the Goblin from a sticky situation and to their delight are recruited as crew members.

Mother agrees they can go, on one condition – they absolutely must not sail out past Beach End Buoy and into the open sea…Includes exclusive content: In the 'Backstory' you can test your knowledge of the book, and learn all about the art of sailing!

Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives.

Discover timeless favourites from Peter Pan and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.