Daddy! My Daddy! Children’s authors on enduring classic The Railway Children: ‘It has an urgent truth to tell’

The Railway Children by E Nesbitt is one of the most enduring classics of children’s English-language literature. Published as a novel in 1906 after it was serialised in The London Magazine the previous year, it follows Roberta, or Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter who move out of London with their mother to a small country cottage when their father mysteriously leaves. The 1970 film adaptation starring Jenny Agutter has also given generations endless joy (and got them blubbing). Now a new sequel, The Railway Children Return, is about to be released, again starring Agutter as Bobbie, now a grandmother, and it’s just as tear-jerking as its predecessor. But why is it so loved? We asked five children’s authors to tell us why they – and we – adore it.

Katherine Rundell