Beautifully written Dickensian tale about abandoned brother and sister Joe and Annie.

The pair go on the run to escape a life of toil and drudgery at the hands of a brutal farmer who uses them as virtual slave labour.

They set out for the slums of Victorian Manchester to try to find their mum, who was forced to abandon them when young. Their journey takes them through the heart of a deep forest, and brings them into contact with a cast of weird and wonderful characters - including an angelic dog-woman, and a kindly tramp with a fear of commitment.

Narrated by the gutsy and appealing Joe, who's determined to look out for his kid sister, this is an exciting, gripping tale that will appeal to the adventurous at heart. 10+ years.

Updated: 08:57 Saturday, January 29, 2005