Review: The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett

Written by Angelica Shirley Carpenter

Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia

Fresno, CA: Bushel & Peck Books, 2024. Biography.

If you liked The Secret Garden, Lord Fauntleroy, or A Little Princess, then you will enjoy reading about the woman who brought those stories to life. She had a mind that could imagine anything! Her name is Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book is a biography that traces her journey from her childhood in England to her later life as a successful writer in America. Through her love of nature, storytelling, and determination, Frances created some of the most cherished books in children’s literature.

This book not only tells the story of Burnett’s life but also connects it to the magical worlds she created in her fiction. The vibrant illustrations show how her real-life experiences and surroundings inspired her writing. Young readers will get a sense of how a writer’s imagination can grow from both joy and hardship. The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett is an inspiring introduction to an important literary figure, encouraging children to follow their creativity and find beauty in the world around them.

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