The Secret Garden, a real children's classic, has been cherished by generations of readers since its first appearance in 1911. Mary Lennox, a sullen, spoiled child, comes to live with her English uncle after the death of her parents. Implanted in Misselthwaite Manor on the baleful moors of the English north country, she meets a hearty Yorkshire house-keeper and her spirited brother, a dour gardener, a cheerful robin, and Master Colin, her willful, mysterious sickly cousin. The robin helps Mary find the door to the secret garden, and from there the story takes the reader on a spell-binding journey into the places in the heart where faith restores health, where flowers refresh the spirit, and where the magic of a garden coming to life after years of neglect serves as a metaphor for the miraculous recovery of an invalid boy.
Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, the author of the definitive biography of Burnett, brings out aspects of Burnett's life that led her to write the book, details of the Victorian England time period, attitudes toward children, and Burnett's spiritual leanings. Gerzina captures the magical nature of the tale and the coming together of three children through restoring a hidden garden. With over one hundred illustrations, many in vibrant color, The Annotated Secret Garden is an enchanting gift for any child or for any adult who is still a feisty child underneath. Includes over 100 illustrations by various artists.
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