Tuesday, July 16, 2024

The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett by Angelica Shirley Carpenter and Helena Perez Garcia - ADVISABLE

The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett
by Angelica Shirley Carpenter, illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia.
BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Bushel & Peck, 2024. $19. 9781638191506 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL


Young Fanny Hodgson had a wonderful imagination that helped her through hard times as a child. When her family moved from Manchester England to America (so her brothers could find work) 15yo Fanny made her own job, as a teacher. Soon she began writing and selling her stories and by the time she was 19, she was supporting her family. Frances Hodgson Burnett was one of the most beloved authors of the 20th century and many of her novels like The Little Princess and The Secret Garden are still popular today.

The cover is striking as it has a large keyhole revealing the title. It's so clever, but I worry other books will catch on it on the shelf. We will see how it holds up. Carpenter's story is engaging and Perez Garcia's illustrations fill the pages. I especially loved her beautiful depictions of Fanny's gardens. Includes a lot of back matter including a more detailed biography, timeline, her books with their publication dates as well as a bibliography and a letter from Burnett's great-great grandaughter about cultivating your own imagination. 

Lisa Librarian

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