I’m currently reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett to F. We have the hardback edition of the book illustrated by Inga Moore, and it’s exquisite. I started reading this to her when she was younger – maybe when she was three, but it was a little too much for her then. She’s more than ready now – the chapters are long and detailed and she hardly stirs while I read, and then she begs for another one at its finish.
We’re on Chapter 16 now, just as spring is starting to arrive on the moor. Mary has discovered the secret garden, still gray and overgrown from years of neglect.
She’s met Dickon, and together they are coaxing new life out of the garden. Green things are starting to appear and the garden is beginning to awaken. Mary’s discovered the disagreeable Colin, and we’re getting close to the start of the friendship between these three in their secret hideaway.
This book is perfect reading for this time of the year. When I finally close the book each night, I’m amazed that I can read page after page after page of descriptions of tiny green points pushing through the earth, or the discovery of lighter green parts on gray vines, and F is completely engaged – almost holding her breath with anticipation. We’re headed to Biltmore Estates in a few days, and I’m looking forward to wandering through the gardens with her. I know that it will be cool and damp and early springlike there, with little color outside of green, but I don’t care. I love an awakening garden almost more than its showier version later in the season. We’ll pack this book and take it with us while we look for secret gardens along the way.
Find this title at your local independent bookstore. Happy reading!
This is one of my favorite books! My husband and I visit Asheville often; if you’d like recommendations for fun restaurants/places to visit, send me an email, I’d be happy to help 🙂
Our friends (two sisters) run a sweet bakery, Ruth and Ranshaw, just outside of Asheville proper. It would be a fun place to stop at with your girls! (http://ruthandranshaw.com/) Biscuithead is our absolute favorite spot for breakfast– definitely a must-try! (http://www.biscuitheads.com/) Enjoy your trip! 🙂
We will try both – thanks!
I think I mentioned to you before that I graduated from Clemson, so I used to spend a lot of time in Asheville, but it’s been years and years. I’ll take any and all recommendations!
Wow! The illustrations in this just blew me away. I’ll have to check it out and read it to my boys. Thanks for sharing.
Lauren recently posted…Light and Movement
I love this book so much. It–along with Anne of Green Gables And Laura Ingalls and later, Jane Eyre–was one of the most influential. I must have read it a hundred times when I was a kid. I can’t wait to read it to my girls.
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Yay, Asheville! I hope you have a wonderful time.
Adah recently posted…Main Street Books
Chai Pani and Farm Burger were great when I blew through in February. I went to the Grove Park for the first time in February, too. It was way better than I imagined – huge fire places to sit in front of and several restaurants with epic views if you need indoor warming time. But you won’t! Because it’s spring break! Right!
Adah recently posted…Main Street Books
The Secret Garden is definitely in my top 3 favorites of all time. That said, I cannot think of a more perfect destination than the Biltmore. The house will blow your mind but, oh, those gardens! Enjoy every minute.
Have you read the Swallows and Amazon’s series?
Adah recently posted…Main Street Books
No, I haven’t. We’ll have to check it out.
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