Once upon a time there was a huge family of children; and they were terribly, terribly naughty.

The Agency was doubtful, because they had already sent a lot of nurses and nannies and governesses to Mr. and Mrs. Brown’s family. ‘The person you want,’ they said, ‘is Nurse Matilda.

And as they spoke – lo and behold! – there was a knock at the door, and there stood a small, stout figure dressed in rusty black; and she said, ‘Good evening, Mr and Mrs...

She was very ugly – the ugliest person you ever saw in your life! Her hair was scraped into a bun, sticking straight out at the back of her head like a teapot handle; and...

Good evening, children,’ Said Nurse Matilda, and she gave a loud thump on the floor with her big black stick. ‘I am Nurse Matilda.