Journey to Avonlea

Anne Arrives adapted by Kallie George with pictures by Abigail Halpin is my most anticipated title of the fall and will be under the tree for The Bee this Christmas.  I fell in love with Anne as a child, not through the books (terrible, I know) but through the incredible CBC made for TV specials staring Megan Fellows as Anne.  I must admit I still have not read the novels, I’m too hung up on the television version of Anne but they are on my list of must-reads at some point in the near future.  What I love about Anne Arrives is it is a beginner’s version of the novels, which for a young person can be a bit arduous to read.  Kallie George has done a masterful job of keeping the spirit of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing, including all the most important descriptive language and all the spirit of Anne. 

The illustrations match the writing to a tee.  Abigail Halpin captured Anne in all her red haired glory.  From the Lake of Shining Waters to the glory of Green Gables, the illustrations are beautiful and lively, and those end papers need to be printed on beautiful cotton fabric. I have a red headed little girl of my own and am so excited to share Anne’s story with her.  I’m thrilled there will be a way to do so, to hopefully inspire her to pick up the Lucy Maud Montgomery books when she is older and delve into life on Avonlea.  I want her to experience the kindred spirits and the beautifully descriptive language of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s work and I know that Kallie George’s version will be the perfect catalyst for many little girls and boys who want to know Anne, Diana, Gilbert, Matthew, Marilla, Rachel and all the cast of wonderful characters who inhabit Avonlea, P.E.I.