Maria Edgeworth was a prolific Anglo-Irish writer of adults' and children's literature. She was one of the first realist writers in children's literature and was a significant figure in the evolution of the novel in Europe.The critic August Nemo selected seven short stories that show the best of this author's work:

- The Grateful Negro

- The Prussian Vase

- The Good Aunt

- The Good French Governess

- The Orphans

- The False Key

- Tarlton