A selection of the stories that Jane wrote for her family when she was between the ages of 12 and 15. AUTHOR: Jane Austen was born in 1775 in her father’s Rectory in the village of Steventon in Hampshire. By the time of her death in 1817 she had written 6 major novels, left two others unfinished and was the author of a considerable amount of correspondence. Most people know Jane Austen for “Pride and Prejudice” “Emma” “Persuasion” and the other novels. Less well known is the fact that she started writing at the age of 8 and many of her early stories were dedicated to her family and friends. The six pieces in this collection were all written when she was between the ages of 12 and 15 and they show a light-hearted, humorous approach to storytelling that may surprise those who only know her adult work.

READER: Teresa Gallagher has performed many leading roles in plays and musicals across the country, in London’s West End and Off Broadway. She is a well-known voice to listeners of BBC radio drama, having recorded hundreds of plays and readings over the years, as well as many audio book readings such as the Biography of Jane Austen, the Emily Windsnap series, The Treasure Seekers and Bleak House. Her work on film includes Mike Leigh’s Topsy Turvy and The Jacket with Adrian Brody. On TV she presented the children’s series, Playdays, along with roles in Footballers Wives, Casualty and Thackeray’s Women. She also works extensively in voice-overs and animation. MUSIC: The music is played by Peter White on a Clementi square piano which stands in Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, Hampshire. All the music played on this recording is taken from music books owned by Jane Austen herself. ILLUSTRATION: The picture is of Jane Austen’s niece, Fanny Knight, and was drawn by Jane’s sister, Cassandra. It is used by courtesy of the Jane Austen Memorial Trust.