Anne of Green Gables: Stories for Young Readers

Anne of Green Gables: Stories for Young Readers
Adapted by Deirdre Kessler
Illustrated by David Preston Smith
Nimbus Publishing $10.95
Recommended for ages 4-8.

Looking for a way to introduce your youngest of readers to the fiery, red-headed Anne?  This adapted version of L. M. Montgomery’s classic tale of Anne of Green Gables is sure the whet the appetite of beginning readers.  In very short chapters with full-colour illustrations throughout, readers are given a taste of what the famous Prince Edward Island literary character is all about.
 
From Anne’s arrival as a young girl all the way to her graduation from Queen’s College, we learn about her feisty personality, her dear friendships and most interestingly the relationship she has with her guardians, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. What started out as a mistake turned out to be the greatest thing to ever happen to the brother and sister. As Matthew reflected on the years past with Anne in his life, he thought aloud “Well now, I guess there never was a luckier mistake than when Mrs. Spencer sent us a girl rather than a boy. I mean when she sent Anne.”
 
Gilbert Blythe, Anne’s nemesis, shows up in many of the chapters and eventually plays an integral role in Anne’s decision to stay at Green Gables with Marilla.  Readers learn a valuable lesson about holding a grudge against someone for many years and how much is missed if apologies are not made quickly.
 
Our mother-daughter book club is reading this book this month so I am anxious to hear the girls’ reactions to the stories.  I know in our home Eliza loved to hear about Anne’s adventures each night. No doubt we will move on to the original volumes of Anne in the years to come!
 
Deirdre Kessler is a Charlottetown-based writer and teacher and has written ten children’s books.