Victoria was just 18 when she was crowned Queen in 1837 - a tiny figure, with a will of iron. Never was there so queenly a queen. She made Britain great and the people loved her for it.

But in 1861 tragedy struck, when her husband Albert died. The little Queen loved dogs and cream cakes and the troops who fought her wars but most of all she loved Albert. Dumb with grief she hid herself away. Suddenly it seemed the woman who had made the monarchy so strong would destroy it.

Could anyone persuade her to be Queen again?

Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six children's biographies called The Great Victorians.

These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of history's most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.

With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.