The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett by Angelica Shirley Carpenter
By Nava Atlas | On December 8, 2024 | Updated December 11, 2024 | Comments (0)
It’s never too soon to introduce young readers to classic authors. Angelica Shirley Carpenter’s The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett, a picture book biography (Bushel & Peck Books, 2024) does so in an immensely engaging way.
Vivid illustrations by Helena Pérez García that burst with colorful expression on every page. Angelica presents the story of Frances Hodgson’s insecure childhood on both sides of the Atlantic, and her challenges and triumphs as a writer.
Marrying Dr. Swan Burnett, having two sons, experiencing triumph as well as hardships and tragedies and writing through it all is part of the fascinating story of this author’s life. Frances’s story is one of perseverance, finding moments of joy in complicated circumstances, and the solace of creative pursuit.
Because her few enduring books are so very famous —The Secret Garden (1911), A Little Princess (1905), and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), it’s not well known how incredibly prolific Frances was. She wrote far more books for adults than for children — dozens of novels, and at least thirteen stage plays. But it’s this trio of books for children of all ages that endure, with their timeless messages of kindness, generosity, hope, and healing.
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The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett
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Other things special things about this book include: a brief, fascinating biography of Frances Hodgson Burnett plus a timeline of her life; a selected list of some of her many books for children and and adults; and a bibliography of titles for those who’d like to delve more deeply into her life.
As icing on the cake there’s a letter to young readers from Keri Wilt, the great-great granddaughter of Frances. It’s followed by a set of “keys” to prompt children (and even adults) to gain a deeper understanding of The Secret Garden, a story that works on so many levels.
Kudos to Angelica Shirley Carpenter for her charming text and to Helena Pérez García for her stunning art. Together they have created not only a lovely picture book, but a keepsake. The cover even has a die-cut keyhole, inviting the reader to enter the adventure within.
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The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett is available
on Bookshop.org, Amazon, and wherever books are sold
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From the publisher, Bushel & Peck Books: “Frances Hodgson Burnett—best known for writing The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Little Princess—had a difficult life, losing her father when she was very young, moving to a new country in the face of economic turmoil, and suffering the loss of a son and a marriage later in life. But Frances? She could imagine anything, and she used her gifts to transform grief and hardship into beautiful works of literature that lifted the spirits of millions around the world. This is her story.”
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Learn more about Frances Hodgson Burnett
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Praise for The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett by Angelica Shirley Carpenter
“Beauties blossom aplenty in this welcome volume. The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett can’t fail to captivate the minds and hearts of young readers and even, perhaps, plant some seeds there.” —Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, co-founder of Children’s Literature New England
“The gray drudgery of industrial Manchester, England, contrasts with the vivid floral hues of Burnett’s gardens in stunning illustrations that perfectly pair with the book’s timeless message: ‘hope is never far for those who can imagine.’”—Foreword Reviews, Starred Review
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“Burnett’s own rags-to-riches story is compelling, too. The distinctive illustrations bring her gardens to life on the page through the graceful forms and rich, varied colors of trees, bushes, vines, and flowers….the theme of gardens as a source of beauty and healing is evident throughout this engaging biographical narrative.” —Booklist
“I am delighted to think that this lovely picture book will encourage children (and indeed their parents) to read The Secret Garden, one of the best children’s books ever written.” —Ann Thwaite, prize-winning British biographer, author of Beyond the Secret Garden: The Life of Frances Hodgson Burnett
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See also:
4 Classic Books by Frances Hodgson Burnett
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