The Secret Garden (Puffin Classics) (1911 original; edició 2008)

8422652900

This was my favorite book growing up. I could read it several timesin a row & never become bored. This is a must read for all young children. ( )

Read as a child, reread as an adult. Understood the message better as an adult (although ti was a little unsubtle at times!) but still enjoyed it.[return][return]Orphaned Mary returns to England from India, where she has been spoilt rotten by her now dead parents and servants.[return][return][return]She now lives, seemingly alone, in a large, rambling house where the servants are too busy to do everything for her, and soon has to learn that she needs to make her own entertainment. [return][return]Exercise outdoors soon begins to improve her health, making her less sallow, but stronger. She makes friends with both the old gardener and a robin, the latter breaking the secret place of "The Secret Garden". The garden was locked up on the death of her unknown aunt - she has yet to meet her uncle, who has been off wondering the world since the death of his wife.[return][return]She also becomes friends with Dicken, the brother of one of the housemaids and between them they start bringing the garden back to life.[return][return]Mary then finds out that she's not the only child in the house. Her cousin Colin is confined to bed, either because of, or resulting in him being a sick, weakly bad tempered child. [return][return]In secret, mary and Dicken take Colin to the secret garden and with attention, fresh air, exercise and the right food, Colin begins to gain his strength. Both he and Mary learn to share and be less pampered and stand up for themselves and what is right.[return][return]Colin's father returns to find Colin fit and healthy, running around. The Garden is open and nearly back to it's original state. He learns that perhaps he should lock things away (including looking after his son).

What a pleasant surprise. I read this because my daughter did and I wanted to be a part of her enjoyment. I never expected to be so drawn in and made a part of the story. This is a truly wonderful story from page one through to the last word. There is indeed magic within these pages. ( )

A picture book version of the classic book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Beautiful pictures but the over-abridged story is missing the magic of the original. ( )